PAANDAVAAS DECLARE YUDHISTHIRA AS THEIR HEAD

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DYOOTA PARVA > CHAPTER 69 - PAANDAVAAS DECLARE YUDHISHTHIRA AS THEIR HEAD

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘The kings present in that sabha, from fear of Duryodhana, uttered not a word, good or bad, although they saw Draupadi crying piteously in pain like a female osprey (Zoological name is Pandion haliaetus), and repeatedly appealing to them. The son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana) seeing those kings and sons and grand sons of kings all remaining silent, smiled a little, and addressing the daughter of the king of Paanchaalaa (Draupadi), said, ‘O Yaagnaseni (Draupadi), the question you have put depends on your husbands – on Bhima, on Arjuna, on Nakula, on Sahadeva. Let them answer your question. O Paanchaali, let them for your sake declare in the middle of these respectable men that Yudhishthira is not their lord, let them thereby make Dharmaraja Yudhishthira a liar. You shall then be freed from the condition of slavery. Let the illustrious son of Dharma (Yudhishthira), always adhering to Dharma, who is like (Lord) Indra Himself declare whether he is not your lord. At his words, you accept the Paandavaas or ourselves without delay. Indeed, all the Kauravaas present in this sabha are floating in the ocean of your distress. Filled with magnanimity, they are unable to answer your question, looking at your unfortunate husbands.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing these words of the Kuru king (Duryodhana), all who were present in the sabha loudly applauded them. Shouting approvingly, they made signs to one another by motions of their eyes and lips. Among some that were there, sounds of distress such as ‘O!’ and ‘Alas!’ were heard. At these words of Duryodhana, so delightful (to his supporters), the Kauravaas present in that sabha became exceedingly glad. The kings, with faces turned sideways, looked upon Yudhishthira knowledgeable with the rules of Dharma, curious to hear what he would say. Everyone present in that sabha became curious to hear what Arjuna, the Paandavaa never defeated in battle, what Bhimasena, and what the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) also would say.

“When that busy murmur of many voices became still, Bhimasena, waving his strong and well-formed arms covered with sandalpaste spoke these words, ‘If this high-souled Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, who is our eldest brother, had not been our lord, we would never have forgiven the Kuru race (for all this). He is the lord of all our Punyaa and Tapasa, even the lord of our lives. If he regards himself as won, we too have all been won. If this were not so, who is there among creatures touching the earth with their feet and mortal, that would escape from me with his life after having touched those (hair) locks of Paanchaali? Look these mighty, well-formed arms of mine, like maces of iron. Having once come within them, even He of a hundred yagnas (Lord Indra) is incapable of making an escape. Bound by the ties of Dharma and the respect that is due to our eldest brother, and repeatedly urged by Arjuna to remain silent, I am not doing anything terrible. If however, I am once commanded by Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, I would slay these wretched sons of Dhritarashtra, making slaps do the work of swords, like a lion slaying a number of little animals.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘To Bhima who had spoken these words Bhishma, Drona and Vidura said, ‘Hold back, O Bhima. Everything is possible with you. (Kshamyataamevamityevam Sarvam Sambhavati Tvayi in Sanskrit)’”