7. DURYODHANA'S GRIEF

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > AARANYAKA PARVA > CHAPTER 7 - DURYODHANA'S GRIEF

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Hearing that Vidura had returned, and that the king (Dhritarashtra) had consoled him, the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana) began to burn in grief. His understanding clouded by ignorance, he summoned Saubala (Shakuni), Karna and Duhshaasana, and addressed them saying, ‘The learned Vidura, the minister of the wise Dhritarashtra, has returned! The friend of the sons of Paandu, he is ever engaged in doing what is beneficial to them. So long as this Vidura does not succeed in inducing the king to bring them back, you all do think of what may benefit me! If ever I see Paarthaas (Paandavaas) return to the city, I shall again become thin by renouncing food and drink, though there be no obstacle in my path! I shall either take poison or hang myself, either enter the fire or kill myself with my own weapons. But I shall never be able to see Paandavaas in prosperity!’

“Shakuni said, ‘O king (Duryodhana), O lord of the earth, what foolishness has taken possession of you! The Paandavaas have gone to the forest, having given a particular pledge, so that what you perceive can never take place! O bull of the Bharata race (Duryodhana), the Paandavaas ever abide by the truth. They will never, therefore, accept the words of your father! If however, accepting the commands of the king (Dhritarashtra), they come back to the capital, violating their vow (Vachanam in Sanskrit), this would be our conduct – assuming, an aspect of neutrality, and in apparent obedience to the will of the monarch (Dhritarashtra), we will closely watch the Paandavaas, keeping our counsels!’

“Duhshaasana said, ‘O uncle of great intelligence (Shakuni), it is as you say! The words of wisdom you utter always recommend themselves to me!’

“Karna said, ‘O Duryodhana, all of us seek to accomplish your will and, O king (Duryodhana), I see that agreement at present prevails among us! Paandavaas, with passions under complete control, will never return without passing away the promised period. If, however, they do return from failing sense, you do defeat them again at dice.’

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana with cheerless heart, turned his face away from his counsellors. Marking all this, Karna expanding his beautiful eyes, and intensely signaling in anger, proudly addressed Duryodhana, Duhsaasana and Saubala (Shakuni) saying, ‘O princes (Naraadhipaa in Sanskrit), you know my opinion! We are all servants of the king (Duryodhana) waiting upon him with joined palms! We should, therefore, do what is agreeable to him! But, we are not always able to seek his welfare with promptness and activity (owing to our dependence on Dhritarashtra)! But let us now, encased in armour (Kavacha in Sanskrit) and armed with our weapons, mount our chariots and go in a body to slay the Paandavaas now living in the forest! After the Paandavaas have been quieted and after they have gone on the unknown journey, both ourselves and the sons of Dhritarashtra will find peace! As long as they (Paandavaas) are in distress, as long as they are in sorrow, as long as they are deprived of help, so long are we a match for them! This is my mind!’

“Hearing those words of the charioteer’s son (Karna), they repeatedly applauded him, and at last exclaimed, ‘Very well!’ Saying this each of them mounted his chariot, and optimistic of success, they rushed in a body to slay Paandavaas. Knowing by his spiritual vision (Divya Chakshushaa in Sanskrit) that they had gone out, the master Krishna-Dwaipayana (Vyaasa) of pure soul (Vishuddhaatmaa in Sanskrit) came upon them and commanded them to stop. Sending them away, the holy one (Vyaasa), worshipped by all the worlds, quickly appeared before the king (Dhritarashtra) whose intelligence served the purposes of eye-sight (Pragnaa Chakshu in Sanskrit), and who was then seated (at his ease). The holy one (Vyaasa) thus addressed the monarch (Dhritarashtra).’”