“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Hearing these various speeches, Dhritarashtra
said, ‘The learned Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, and the illustrious Rishi
Drona, and yourself also (O Vidura),
have said the truth and also what is most beneficial to me. Indeed, as those
mighty chariot-warriors, the heroic sons of Kunti, are the children of Pandu
and without doubt so are they my children according to the Shastras. As my sons
are entitled to this kingdom, so are the Pandavas certainly entitled to it.
Therefore, quickly bring here the Pandavas along with their mother, treating
them with affectionate consideration. O you of Bharata’s race (Vidura), also bring Krishna (Draupadi) of divine beauty along with them. From
sheer good fortune the sons of Pritha (sons of Kunti) are alive; and from good fortune alone those mighty chariot-warriors
have obtained Draupadi. It is from good fortune alone that our strength has
increased, and it is from good fortune alone that Purochana has perished. O you
of great splendour, it is from good fortune that my great grief has been
killed!’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘O Bharata (Janamejaya), then Vidura, at the command of
Dhritarashtra, travelled to Yagnasena (Drupada) and the Pandavas. He travelled there carrying with him numerous jewels
and various kinds of wealth for Draupadi, Pandavas and Yagnasena also. Arrived
at Drupada’s abode, Vidura knowledgeable with every rule of Dharma and deep in
every science, properly approached and addressed the monarch (Drupada) and waited upon him. Drupada received
Vidura in proper form and they both enquired after each other’s welfare. Vidura
then saw there the Pandavas and Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna). As soon as he saw them, he embraced them from affection and enquired
after their wellbeing. The Pandavas also along with Vaasudeva, in due order,
worshipped Vidura of immeasurable intelligence. O king (Janamejaya), but Vidura in the name of Dhritarashtra
repeatedly enquired with great affection after their welfare. O monarch (Janamejaya), he then gave to the Pandavas, Kunti and
Draupadi, and to Drupada and Drupada’s sons, the gems and various kinds of
wealth that the Kauravas had sent through him. Possessed of immeasurable
intelligence, the modest Vidura then, in the presence of the Pandavas and
Keshava (Sri Krishna), addressed the
well-behaved Drupada thus:
‘O monarch (Drupada), with your
ministers and sons listen to what I say. King Dhritarashtra, with ministers,
sons, and friends, has with a joyous heart, O king (Dhritarashtra), repeatedly enquired after your welfare. O
monarch (Drupada), he has been
highly pleased with this alliance with you. O king (Drupada), so also, Bhishma of great wisdom, the son
of Shantanu, with all the Kurus, enquired after your welfare in every respect. Also,
Drona of great wisdom the son of (Maharishi) Bharadwaja and your dear friend, embracing you mentally, enquired of your
happiness. O king of Paanchaalas (Drupada), Dhritarashtra and all the Kurus, in consequence of this alliance with
you regard themselves supremely blessed. O Yagnasena, the establishment of this
alliance with you has made them happier than if they had acquired a new
kingdom. O monarch (Drupada), knowing
all this permit the Pandavas to re-visit their ancestral kingdom. The Kurus are
exceedingly eager to see the Pandavas. These bulls among men have been long
absent (from their kingdom). They as
well as Pritha (Kunti) must be very
eager to see their city. All the Kuru ladies and the citizens and our subjects
are eagerly waiting to see Krishna (Draupadi), the Paanchaala Princess. O monarch (Drupada), therefore, this is my opinion, that you should, without delay, permit
the Pandavas to go there with their wife. O king (Drupada), after the illustrious Pandavas, will have
received your permission to go there, I shall send information to Dhritarashtra
by quick messengers. O king (Drupada),
then will the Pandavas set out with Kunti and Krishna (Draupadi).’”
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