8. VYAASA'S DISCONTENT

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > AARANYAKA PARVA > CHAPTER 8 - VYAASA'S DISCONTENT

“Vyaasa said, ‘O wise Dhritarashtra, hear what I say! I will tell you that which is for the great good of all the Kauravaas! O you of mighty arms, it has not pleased me that the Paandavaas have gone to the forest dishonestly defeated (at dice) by Duryodhana and others! O Bharata (Dhritarashtra), on the expiration of the thirteenth year, recollecting all their misery, they may shower death-dealing weapons, like deadly poison, upon the Kauravaas! Why does your sinful son of wicked heart (Duryodhana), ever inflamed with anger, seek to slay Paandavaas for the sake of their kingdom? Let the fool be restrained; let your son remain quiet! In attempting to slay the Paandavaas in exile, he will only lose his own life. You are as honest as the wise Vidura, or Bhishma, or ourselves, or Kripa, or Drona. O you of great wisdom (Dhritarashtra), disagreement with one’s own relatives are forbidden, sinful and disgraceful! Therefore, O king, it is your duty to withhold from such acts! O Bharata, Duryodhana looks with such jealousy towards the Paandavaas that great harm would be the consequence, if you do not interfere. Or let this wicked son of yours, O monarch (Dhritarashtra), along and unaccompanied, himself go to the forest and live with Paandavaas. For then, if the Paandavaas, from association, feel an attachment for Duryodhana, then, O king of men, good fortune may be yours. (This, however, may not be)! For it has been heard that one’s inborn nature does not leave him till death. But what do Bhishma, Drona and Vidura think? Also, what do you think? That which is beneficial should be done while there is time, else your purposes will be unrealised.’”