DHRITARASHTRA DECIDES TO RECALL PAANDAVAAS

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DYOOTA PARVA > CHAPTER 73 - DHRITARASHTRA DECIDES TO RECALL PAANDAVAAS

“Janamejaya said, ‘How did the sons of Dhritarashtra feel, when they came to know that the Paandavaas had, with Dhritarashtra’s leave, left Haastinapura with all their wealth and jewels?’

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘O king (Janamejaya), learning that the Paandavaas had been commanded by the wise Dhritarashtra to return to their capital, Duhshaasana went without loss of time to his brother (Duryodhana). O bull of the Bharata race (Janamejaya), having arrived before Duryodhana with his counsellor, the prince (Duhshaasana), pained with grief, began to say, ‘O mighty warriors, that which we had won after so much trouble, the old man has been destroyed by the old man (our father). Know that he has made over the whole of that wealth to the enemies.’

“At these words, Duryodhana, Karna and Shakuni – the son of Subala, all of whom were guided by ego, united together, and desirous of counteracting the Paandavaas, quickly approached and saw privately the wise king Dhritarashtra – the son of Vichitraveerya and spoke to him these pleasing and artful (Lakshna in Sanskrit) words. Duryodhana said,

‘Have you not heard, O king (Dhritarashtra), what the learned Deva Purohita Brihaspati, said in course of counselling Shakra (Lord Indra) about Neeti? These, O slayer of enemies, were the words of Brihaspati, ‘Those enemies that always do wrong by strategy or force, should be slain by every means.’ If, therefore, with the wealth of the Paandavaas, we satisfy the kings of the earth and then fight with the Paandavaas, what reverses can overtake us? When one has (their foot) placed on the neck and back of poisonous snakes full of anger for encompassing his destruction, is it possible for him to take them off? Equipped with weapon and seated on their chariots, the angry Paandavaas like angry and poisonous snakes will assuredly destroy us, O father, even now Arjuna proceeds, covered in armour and furnished with his couple of arrow baskets, frequently taking up the Gaandivaa and breathing hard and giving angry glances around. It has (also) been heard by us that Vrikodara (Bhimasena), quickly ordering his chariot to be made ready and riding on it, is proceeding along, frequently whirling his heavy mace (Gada in Sanskrit). Nakula also is going along, with the sword in his grasp and the semi-circular shield in his hand. Sahadeva and the king (Yudhishthira) have made signs clearly testifying to their intentions. Having ascended their chariots that are full of all kinds of weapons, they are whipping their horses (for going to Khaandavaprasthaa soon) and assembling their forces. Harassed thus by us they are incapable of forgiving us those injuries. Who is there among them that will forgive that insult to Draupadi? Blessed be you. We will again gamble with the Paandavas for sending them to exile. O bull among men (Dhritarashtra), we are competent to bring them thus under our rule. Dressed in skins, either we or they defeated at dice, shall travel to the forest for twelve years. The thirteenth year shall have to be spent in some inhabited country unrecognized (Agnyaataa in Sanskrit); and, if recognised, an exile for another twelve years shall be the consequence. Either we or they shall live so. Let the play begin, casting the dice, let the Paandavaas once more play. O bull of the Bharata race, O king, this is our highest duty. This Shakuni knows well the whole science of dice. If they succeed in observing this vow for thirteen years, we shall be in the meantime firmly rooted in the kingdom and making alliances, assemble a vast invincible army and keep them content, so that we shall, O king (Dhritarashtra), defeat the Paandavaas if they reappear. Let this plan recommend itself to you, O slayer of enemies.’

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Indeed, then bring back the Paandavaas, even if they have gone a great way. Let them come at once again to cast dice.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Then Drona, Somadatta, Baalhika, Gautama, Vidura, the son of Drona (Ashwatthaama), the mighty son of Dhritarashtra by his Vaishya wife (Yuyutsu), Bhoorishrava, Bhishma, and that mighty warrior Vikarna – all said, ‘Let not the play commence. Let there be peace.’ But Dhritarashtra, partial to his sons, disregarding the counsels of all his wise friends and relatives, summoned the Paandavaas.’”