05.137
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
Having been thus addressed, he was dejected, glanced sideways, and with his head down, joining his eyebrows, he did not say anything at all.
Seeing him disheartened, the two best among men looked at each other nearby and again spoke a reply.
Bhishma said:
Desiring to serve without envy and being devoted to Brahman, truthful in battle, we will fight against Arjuna. Therefore, what indeed could be more painful?
Drona said:
O king, my respect and reverence for Dhananjaya, the one with the monkey banner, are even greater than for Ashvatthama, as they are for my own son.
If I must fight Arjuna, who is dearer to me than my own son, by following the warrior's duty, then shame on the life of a warrior.
In the world, there is no archer equal to him; by my grace, Bibhatsu (Arjuna) surpasses all other archers.
A betrayer of friends, who is evil-minded, atheist, dishonest, and deceitful, does not receive respect among the virtuous, just as a fool does not gain honor when he arrives at a sacrifice.
Even when restrained from sins, a sinful person desires sin, while a virtuous person, even when urged by sin, desires virtue.
O best of the Bharatas, these faults, which are indeed falsely conducted and exist after the beloved, are intended for harm.
You have been advised by the elder of the Kurus, by me, by Vidura, and also by Vāsudeva, yet you do not follow the path of righteousness.
You claim to have strength, yet you suddenly wish to cross the Ganges' current, filled with crocodiles, as if it were the hot season.
Just as you think today, wearing clothes, having obtained the abandoned garland out of greed, the prosperity of Yudhishthira.
Who can survive the Pandava, who, even while dwelling in the forest with Draupadi and surrounded by his brothers with weapons, appears like a king?
Dharmaraja, having approached Ailavila, shone in whose command all kings stand as servants.
The Pandavas, after reaching Kubera's abode and acquiring gems, aspire to rule the prosperous kingdom.
Know that we have given, offered sacrifices, studied, and satisfied the Brahmins with wealth; our life is gone, and we have accomplished our duties.
However, by forsaking happiness, your kingdom, friends, and wealth, and engaging in conflict with the Pandavas, you will bring upon yourself a great disaster.
Draupadi, the truth-speaking goddess with a terrible vow of austerity, desires victory. You will not conquer the Pandava.
How will you conquer the Pandava, whose minister is Krishna and brother is Arjuna, the best among all warriors?
How do you plan to defeat the Pāṇḍava, who is supported by brāhmaṇas that are steadfast and self-controlled, and who himself is heroic and practices severe austerities?
I will reiterate what should be done by someone seeking prosperity, especially by a friend, when friends are drowning in the ocean of troubles.
Enough of war with those heroes; you should cease for the prosperity of the Kuru dynasty. Do not proceed with your sons, ministers, and army towards defeat.
