52(A). BHIMASENA CONVERSES WITH YUDHISHTHIRA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > NALOPAAKYAANA PARVA > CHAPTER 52(A) - BHIMASENA CONVERSES WITH YUDHISHTHIRA

“Janamejaya said, ‘When the Mahatma Paartha (Arjuna) went to Shakraloka (Indraloka) for obtaining weapons, what did Yudhishthira and other Paandavaas do?’

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘When the Mahatma Paartha went to Shakraloka for obtaining weapons, those bulls of the Bharata race continued to stay with Krishna (Draupadi) in Kaamyaka (forest). One day, those foremost of the Bharatas (Paandavaas), pained with grief, was seated with Krishna on a clean and isolated grass. Grieving for Dhananjaya, overwhelmed with sorrow, their voices were choked with weeping. Tortured by Dhananjaya’s absence, grief pained them equally. Filled with sorrow at their separation from Arjuna and at the loss of their kingdom, the mighty-armed Bhima among them addressed Yudhishthira, saying, ‘That Bull of the Bharata race, Arjuna, O Maharaja, on whom depend the lives of Paandavaas, and on whose death the Paanchalaas and also ourselves with our sons, Saatyaki and Vaasudeva are sure to die, has gone away at your command. What can be sadder than this that the Dharmaatma Bibhatsu has gone away at your command, thinking of his many griefs? Depending upon the might of that Mahatma hero’s arms, (we) regard our enemies as already defeated in battle, and the whole earth itself as already acquired by us.

“It was for the sake of that mighty warrior (Dhanushmata in Sanskrit) that I refrained from sending to the other world all the Dhaartaraashtras along with the Saubalas, in the middle of the sabha. Gifted with might of arms, supported by Vaasudeva, we have to suppress the anger that has been roused in us, because you are the root of that anger. Indeed, with (Sri) Krishna’s help, slaying our enemies headed by Karna, we are able to rule the entire earth (thus) conquered by our own arms. Filled with manliness, we are yet overwhelmed with calamities, in consequence of your gambling evil, while the foolish bull of Dhritarashtra are growing stronger with the tributes (Bali in Sanskrit) (gathered from dependent kings).

“O Maharaja, it is your duty to keep in view of the Kshatriya Dharma. O Maharaja, it is not the dharma of a Kshatriya to live in the forest. The wise are of the opinion that to rule is the foremost dharma of a Kshatriya. O king, you are knowledgeable with Kshatriya Dharma. Do not, therefore, deviate from the path of Dharma. Turning away from the forest, let us, summoning Paarthaa (Arjuna) and Janaardana (Sri Krishna), slay, O king, the sons of Dhritarashtra, before the twelve years are complete.

“O illustrious monarch, O Maharaja, even if these Dhartarashtras be surrounded by soldiers in array of battle, I shall send them to the other world by blow of might alone. I shall slay all the sons of Dhritarashtra along with Saubalas, indeed, Duryodhana, Karna, and any one else that will fight with me. After I shall have slain all our enemies, you may come back to the forest. By acting thus, O king, no fault will be yours. (Or if any sin be yours), O represser of enemies, O Maharaja, washing it off, by various yagnas, we may ascend to a superior heaven. Such an achievement may come to pass, if our king proves not unwise or delaying. You are, however, virtuous. Certainly, the deceitful should be destroyed by deceit. To slay the deceitful by deceit, is not regarded as sinful.

“O Bharata, it is, also said by those versed in Dharma that one day and night is, O Maharaja, equal to a full year. The Veda text also, O Maharaja, is often heard, signifying that a year is equivalent to a day when passed in the observance of certain difficult vows (Vrata in Sanskrit). O you of unfading glory, if Vedas are an authority with you, you regard the period of a day and something more as the equivalent of thirteen years. O represser of enemies, this is the time to slay Duryodhana with his followers. Else, O king, he will beforehand bring the whole earth obedient to his will. O foremost of monarchs, all this is the result of your addiction to gambling.

“We are on the verge of destruction already, in consequence of your promise of living one year undiscovered. I do not find the country where, if we live, the wicked-minded Suyodhana (Duryodhana) may not be able to trace us by his spies. Finding us out, that wretch will again deceitfully send us into such exile in the forest. Or if that sinful one sees us emerge, after the expiry of the pledged period of non-discovery, he will again invite you, O Mahararaja, to dice, and the play will once more begin. Summoned once more, you will again erase yourself at dice.

“You are not skilled at dice, and when summoned at play, you will be deprived of your senses. Therefore, O Maharaja, you will have to lead a life in the forest again. If, O Maharaja, it is your duty not to make us wretched for life, you fully observe the ordinance of the Vedas, (which says that) certainly the deceitful ought to be slain by deceit. If I but have your command I would go (to Haastinapura) and, as fire falling upon a heap of grass consume it, would slay Duryodhana, putting forth my utmost might. It is your duty, therefore, to grant me the permission.’