05.122

Dhritarashtra said:

Revered one, it is exactly as you say, Nārada. I too wish for this, but, revered one, I am not capable. (5-122-1)

Vaiśampāyana said:

Having thus spoken, he then addressed Kṛṣṇa, saying, "O Bhārata, O Keśava, you have told me of what is righteous, just, and leads both to heaven and to prosperity in this world." (5-122-2)

But I am not in control, dear one, and what is being done is not pleasing to me. Dear friend Kṛṣṇa, Duryodhana is my foolish son, acting beyond the law. (5-122-3)

O mighty-armed, O best of men, make an effort to persuade him; by doing so, O Janardana, you will have performed a true friend's very great duty. (5-122-4)

Then the Vrishni prince, knowing all the principles of righteousness and purpose, approached the indignant Duryodhana and spoke sweet words. (5-122-5)

Duryodhana, best of the Kurus, heed these words of mine—especially as they are suitable for you and your allies, O Bhārata. (5-122-6)

O greatly wise one, born in a noble family, it is proper for you to do this—endowed with learning and good conduct, and possessed of all virtues. (5-122-7)

Those of low lineage, wicked-minded, cruel, and shameless—they are the ones who would do such things as you think, dear one. (5-122-8)

In this world, conduct joined with righteousness and purpose is observed among good people; however, among bad people, the opposite is seen, O best of the Bharatas. (5-122-9)

But this contrary conduct is seen in you again and again, and here the consequence is unrighteousness—a great and terrible harm that destroys life. (5-122-10)

O Bhārata, disgrace in many ways will arise because of you; by avoiding that misfortune, you will achieve your own welfare. (5-122-11)

You, O subduer of foes, will be freed from unrighteous and disgraceful action toward your brothers, dependents, and friends. (5-122-12)

Tiger among men, bull of the Bharatas, ally yourself with the Pāṇḍavas—those who are wise, brave, greatly energetic, self-possessed, and well-learned. (5-122-13)

that which is beneficial and also pleasing to wise Dhṛtarāṣṭra, to the Grandsire, to Droṇa, and to the very wise Vidura, (5-122-14)

of Kṛpa, Somadatta, the wise Bāhlika, Aśvatthāman, Vikarna, Sanjaya—O King, (5-122-15)

May there be happiness in peace, dear son, especially among kinsmen and friends, and likewise for the whole world. (5-122-16)

You are modest, born in a noble family, learned, and compassionate—abide, dear son, by the teachings of your father and mother, O bull among the Bharatas. (5-122-17)

O Bhārata, this is indeed considered best—the father's instruction. For, when faced with great calamity, everyone remembers their father's teaching. (5-122-18)

Dear one, your father is pleased with your meeting together with the Pāṇḍavas—best of the Kurus, may that also be pleasing to you, dear one, along with your ministers. (5-122-19)

A mortal who, having heard instruction from friends, does not accept it, is burned in the end, like one who is burned by undigested food he has eaten. (5-122-20)

But one who, out of delusion, does not embrace teaching that leads to the highest good—that procrastinator, lacking purpose, is afflicted with regret. (5-122-21)

But he who, having heard of the highest good that is within reach, embraces it—abandoning his own opinion—he prospers in happiness in this world. (5-122-22)

He who does not accept the advice of someone seeking gain and pleasure because it is unpleasant, who listens to unpleasant things from his enemies and comes under their control— (5-122-23)

He who disregards the opinion of the virtuous and acts by the counsel of the wicked—when he meets with adversity, his friends soon come to grief. (5-122-24)

He who abandons his chief ministers and associates with inferior people, when he falls into terrible adversity, does not find deliverance. (5-122-25)

O Bhārata, whoever keeps bad company, whose conduct is vain, who never listens to his friends, who chooses outsiders and hates his own people—the earth curses him. (5-122-26)

Yet you, having opposed those warriors, seek protection from others—undisciplined, incapable, and deluded—O bull among the Bharatas. (5-122-27)

For who else on earth but you would hope to grant protection to others, overlooking his own kinsmen—great warriors who are the equals of Indra? (5-122-28)

From birth, O sons of Kunti, the Pandavas have always been wronged by you, yet they have never become angry with you, for the Pandavas are truly righteous. (5-122-29)

Dear one, from birth the Pāṇḍavas have been unjustly treated, yet these illustrious men have always behaved rightly toward you, O mighty-armed. (5-122-30)

You too, best of the Bharatas, must act in the same way toward your foremost kinsmen—do not let yourself be carried away by anger. (5-122-31)

O bull among the Bharatas, the endeavors of the wise are aligned with the three aims of life; when all three cannot be attained, people pursue dharma and artha. (5-122-32)

But when these are distinctly established, the wise person pursues virtue, the average person pursues gain, the immature pursues only desire, and error. (5-122-33)

He who, overpowered by the senses and greed, abandons righteousness, and seeks to attain desire and wealth by improper means, is ruined. (5-122-34)

But one who seeks desire and wealth should follow only dharma from the very start—for neither wealth nor desire ever departs from dharma. (5-122-35)

O lord of men, they say that dharma alone is the means for attaining all three aims of life; indeed, one who seeks them grows quickly by it, like fire in the brushwood. (5-122-36)

But you, dear one, bull of the Bharatas, seek by improper means that great, brilliant, and renowned sovereignty among all kings. (5-122-37)

O king, indeed, he harms himself, just as one cuts down a tree with an axe—who acts wrongly toward those who act righteously. (5-122-38)

One should not undermine the judgment of a person whose downfall one does not wish; the resolve of a steadfast and undisturbed person is set upon what is good. (5-122-39)

O Bhārata, one who has abandoned himself would not harm anyone in all three worlds, not even an ordinary person—how much less those outstanding Pāṇḍavas. (5-122-40)

O Bhārata, when a man is overcome by anger, he understands nothing. Indeed, all sound judgment that existed is cut off—see for yourself. (5-122-41)

Dear one, it is better for you to associate with the Pāṇḍavas than with wicked people; by gaining their favor, you will obtain all your desires. (5-122-42)

O best of kings, while you enjoy the land conquered by the Pāṇḍavas, having set the Pāṇḍavas behind you, you look for protection elsewhere. (5-122-43)

O Bhārata, placing your power in Duḥśāsana, the formidable one Karṇa, and Soubala, you desire prosperity. (5-122-44)

Nor are these men of yours sufficient in wisdom or in righteousness and wealth, nor are they adequate in prowess against the Pāṇḍavas, O Bhārata. (5-122-45)

For even all these kings together with you are not sufficient to face the enraged Bhimasena in battle. (5-122-46)

O father, this entire army of kings is assembled here—this is Bhishma, and Drona, and Karna, and also Kripa. (5-122-47)

Bhurishrava, the son of Somadatta, Ashvatthaman, Jayadratha—all these are incapable of opposing Dhananjaya in battle. (5-122-48)

For truly, Arjuna is invincible when enraged, even by all the gods, asuras, men, and Gandharvas; do not engage him in battle if you encounter him. (5-122-49)

Let there be seen, if there is any man in this entire army of kings who, having met Arjuna in battle, would return home safe and sound. (5-122-50)

O best of the Bharatas, what do you gain here by causing the destruction of people? If there is one man, by conquering whom everything is conquered for you, let that one be found. (5-122-51)

He who conquered the gods, along with the Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Asuras, and Nāgas, at Khāṇḍavaprastha—what man would dare fight him? (5-122-52)

Likewise, it is said that something great and wondrous happened in the city of Virata; that is an example of one being sufficient against many. (5-122-53)

Here in battle, do you expect to defeat him—invincible, unassailable, victorious, infallible, Arjuna the mighty hero? (5-122-54)

Who would be worthy to engage Pārtha in battle when he comes, with me beside him, even if Indra himself were to face him directly? (5-122-55)

With his arms, he could lift up the earth, burn these creatures if enraged, cast the gods down from heaven—whoever could defeat Arjuna in battle. (5-122-56)

See that these sons, brothers, kinsmen, and relatives do not perish for your sake, best of the Bharatas. (5-122-57)

Let there be a remnant of the Kauravas; do not let this family be destroyed. Do not be called a destroyer of your family or one with lost reputation, O king. (5-122-58)

The great warriors will install you alone as crown prince, and your father Dhritarashtra as king. (5-122-59)

Do not, dear father, scorn the approaching prosperity that is at hand. By giving half to the sons of Pāṇḍu, you will gain great prosperity. (5-122-60)

By making peace with the Pāṇḍavas and heeding the counsel of your friends, pleased and together with your allies, you will enjoy prosperity for a long time. (5-122-61)