“Vaishampaayana said, ‘After Bhishma had concluded, Drona spoke,
saying, ‘O king Dhritarashtra, it has been heard by us that friends summoned for consultation should always speak what is
Dharma, true, and conductive to fame. O sire (Dhritarashtra), I am of the same mind in this matter with
the illustrious Bhishma. Let a share of the kingdom be given to the Pandavas.
This is eternal Dharma. O Bharata (Dhritarashtra), send to Drupada without loss of time some messenger of agreeable
speech, carrying with him a large treasure for the Pandavas. Let the man go to
Drupada carrying costly gifts for both the bridegrooms and the bride, and let
him speak to that monarch (Drupada)
of your increase of power and dignity arising from this new alliance with him.
O monarch (Dhritarashtra), let the
man know also that both yourself and Duryodhana have become exceedingly glad in
consequence of what has happened. Let him say this repeatedly to Drupada and
Dhrishtadyumna. Let him speak also about the alliance as having been
exceedingly proper, agreeable to you, and of yourself being worthy of it. Let
the man repeatedly pacify the sons of Kunti and those of Maadri (in proper
words). At your command, O king (Dhritarashtra), let plenty of ornaments of pure gold be
given to Draupadi. O bull of Bharata’s race (Dhritarashtra), let proper gifts be given to all the sons
of Drupada. Let the messenger then propose the return of the Pandavas to
Hastinapura. After the heroes will have been permitted (by Drupada), to come here, let Duhshaasana and Vikarna
go out with a beautiful procession to receive them. When they will have arrived
at Hastinapura, let those foremost of men be received with affection by you. Let
them then be installed on their paternal throne, agreeably to the wishes of the
people of the realm. This, O monarch of Bharata’s race, is what I think should
be your behaviour towards the Pandavas who are to you as your own sons.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘After Drona had stopped, Karna spoke again,
‘Both Bhishma and Drona have been comforted with wealth that is yours and
favours given by you! They are also always regarded by you as your trusted
friends! What can therefore be more amusing than that they both should give you
advice which is not for your good? How can the wise approve that advice which
is pronounced good by a person speaking with wicked intent but taking care to hide
the wickedness of his heart? Indeed, in a season of suffering,
friends can neither benefit nor injure. Every one’s happiness or the reverse
depends on destiny. He that is wise and he that is foolish, he that is young (in age) and he that
is old, he that has allies and he that has none, all become, it is seen
everywhere, happy or unhappy at times.
“It has been heard by us that there was, in ancient time, a king by
name Ambuveecha. Having his capital at Rajagriha, he was the king of all the
Magadha chiefs. He never attended to his affairs. All his efforts consisted in
inhaling the air. All his affairs were in the hands of his minister. His
minister, named Mahaakarni, became the supreme authority in the State.
Regarding himself all powerful, he began to disregard the king (Ambuveecha). The wretch (Mahaakarni) himself took over everything belonging to
the king, his queens, treasures and sovereignty. But the possession of all
these, instead of satisfying his greed, only served to inflame him the more.
Having appropriated everything belonging to the king, he even desired the
throne. But it has been heard by us that with all his best attemepts, he
succeeded not in acquiring the kingdom of the monarch, his master, even though
the latter was inattentive to business and content with only breathing the air.
O king (Dhritarashtra), what else
can be said, than that monarch’s sovereignty was dependent on destiny? If,
therefore, O king, this kingdom be established in you by destiny, it will
certainly continue in you, even if the whole world were to become your enemy!
If, however, destiny has ordained otherwise, howsoever you may strive, it will
not last in you! O learned one, remembering all this, judge of the honesty or
otherwise of your advisers. Also, discover who among them are wicked and who
have spoken wisely and well.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing these words of Karna, Drona
replied, ‘As you are wicked, it is evident you say so, in consequence of the
wickedness of your intent. It is for injuring the Pandavas that you find fault
with us. But know, O Karna, what I have said is for the good of all and the
prosperity of the Kuru race. If you regard all this as productive of evil,
declare yourself what is for our good. If the good advice I have given be not
followed, I think the Kurus will be destroyed in no time.’”
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