Prelude To Khandavaprastha!- 17

(Adi Parva- Vyasa Mahabharata)

The news of Draupadi's Swayamvara spread everywhere like wildfire! The trusted spies of all the kings informed their kings about the Pandavas, and the youth who faced the impossible challenge was none other than Arjuna. Having heard that the Pandavas were alive and married to Draupadi, Duryodhana was shocked and depressed. He, along with Dushasana, Karna and Ashwatthama, hurriedly marched towards Hastinapura. They blamed Purochana for their misfortune.

Hearing the good news of the Pandavas, Vidura was excited and conveyed the message to his elder brother. He said, "O brother! Good fortune has come to us. The Kurus are prospering due to good luck."

The blind King Dhritarashtra was overwhelmed with joy thinking Duryodhana had won Draupadi, but the joyous moment vanished into thin air the moment he came to know the truth! Hiding his true feelings, he announced, "O wise Vidura, the Pandavas are dearer to

me than they are to Pandu himself. Bring them with proper honour to Hastinapura! We are fortunate to have got the powerful King Drupada and his mighty sons!"

Though the learned Vidura knew his brother's cruel intentions, he still said, "O King! Let your love and affection remain forever for them!"

After the departure of Vidura, Duryodhana with his close friends came to his father and spoke, "O King! O noble father, do something for us before it becomes too late!"

King Dhritarashtra was very worried and asked his son for his suggestions. Duryodhana said, "O father, let us send some trusted and skilful Brahmanas who will create dissension among the brothers. Or let us arrange clever men to create disunion among the sons of Kunti and Madri. Or, using false information about the death of Bhimasena, we can make them weaker. Or let us try tempting the brothers with beautiful maidens, by which Draupadi will surely be annoyed. Or let us bribe King Drupada with enough wealth. Somehow we have to break their unity."

Hearing the words of Duryodhana, Karna said, "O Duryodhana! All that you have suggested is meaningless and childish talk. The followers of truth, the virtuous Pandavas, would never detach themselves from the path of righteousness and Dharma. At no cost can you create any dissension among the brothers, nor would Draupadi ever go against her husbands.

When they were mere callow birds, we were incapable of defeating them. Now they are matured and have become much stronger with the alliance of King Drupada, Shikhandi and Dhrishtadyumna.

O hero, you have formerly tried to accomplish your wishes by various subtle means, but you have not been successful in killing them. And remember, the Panchala King is honest and he is not desirous of wealth. Even if you offer him the whole kingdom, he will certainly not abandon the sons of Kunti. So, O King, as long as the Panchala King with his vast army and powerful sons does not wish to fight with us, you should display your prowess. There is nothing that Lord Krishna would not sacrifice for the Pandavas. O King, prowess is always admired in a Kshatriya. O best of Kshatriyas, prowess is the cardinal virtue of heroes.

Therefore, without any further delay, use your large army of four kinds of troops, vanquish King Drupada and bring the Pandavas here. Otherwise, the Pandavas can never be defeated by any policy of gift, conciliation, wealth, bribery or disunion. The only way is to defeat them by your prowess now."

King Dhritarashtra highly praised the wisdom of Karna but requested them to consult the matter together with Pitamaha Bhishma, Guru Dronacharya and the wise Vidura. At last, all were summoned and King Dhritarashtra consulted with them.

Grandsire Bhishma spoke in a deep voice, "O Dhritarashtra, both you and Pandu are equal to me. And so also the sons of Gandhari are as dear to me as the sons of Kunti. I can never consent to a quarrel with the sons of Pandu! O son, they are to be protected as much by me as by you. Both Duryodhana and Yudhishthira are equal to me. Therefore, I never like a quarrel with them. It is much better to conclude a treaty with those heroes and give them half of the kingdom.

O Duryodhana, as you consider this kingdom as your paternal property, so do they. If the virtuous Pandavas do not get the kingdom, then how can it be yours? If you think you have rightfully come into the possession of the kingdom, I think they have rightfully come into the possession of the kingdom before you! O son, think wisely what will be good for all. O son of Gandhari, keep your reputation, because without it a man's life is in vain! One lives till his reputation exists; he dies when his reputation is gone. So, O mighty hero, act as your forefathers did before you.

O prince, the way in which Kunti was to be killed, people do not consider Purochana so much guilty as they consider you. And do remember, as long as those heroes live, the wielder of thunder, Indra himself, cannot deprive them of their paternal property.

If you want to seek the welfare of all, if you want to act justly, if you want to do what is pleasing to me, then give them half of the kingdom."

After Bhishma, the preceptor Drona said, "O King Dhritarashtra, my opinion is the same as that of the illustrious Bhishma. Let the Pandavas get their rightful possession, half of this kingdom. O King, send a sweet-spoken messenger with proper gifts. Send the message that both you and Duryodhana have become extremely happy by all that has happened. After paying proper respect, let him propose their return to Hastinapura.

O son! When King Drupada agrees, let Dushasana and Vikarna go with a vast army to welcome the mighty heroes, the Pandavas. This is my opinion and Bhishma's too!"

Hearing the speech of Bhishma and Drona, Karna immediately reacted furiously. He said, "O King! I am surprised to see that both these two, who are supposed to support you, are doing exactly the opposite. Friends can neither do good nor harm in distress. Happiness or misery depends upon one's destiny! These two only speak sweetly, hiding their wickedness in their minds. Now you are learned, therefore you can judge the honesty or dishonesty of your elders."

After the opinion given by Karna, Guru Dronacharya addressed him, "O Karna! As wicked as you are, your advice will only injure the whole Kuru race! If the good advice given by me or Grandsire Bhishma is not followed, then very soon the whole Kuru race will be exterminated! There is no doubt about it!"

At last, Vidura addressed King Dhritarashtra.

To be continued...