Mahabharata 05 (eng)..

UDYOGA PARAVA
SECTION XXX
name touch his feet with thy hand. Thou shouldst also, touching his feet, represent me as hale unto
that foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma, in whom are combined bravery, and abstention from injury,
and asceticism, and wisdom and good behaviour, and Vedic learning, and great excellence, and
firmness. Saluting unto also the wise, venerable, and blind king (Dhritarashtra), who possessed of
great learning and reverential to the old, is the leader of the Kurus. Thou shouldst also, O Sanjaya,
enquire, O sire, about the welfare of the eldest of Dhritarashtra's sons, Suyodhana, who is wicked
and ignorant and deceitful and vicious, and who now governs the entire world. Thou shouldst also
enquire about the welfare of even the wicked Dussasana, that mighty bowman and hero among the
Kurus, who is the younger of Duryodhana and who possesses a character like that of his elder
brother. Thou shouldst, O Sanjaya, also salute the wise chief of the Vahlikas, who always cherishes
no other wish save that there should be peace among the Bharatas. I think, thou shouldst also worship
that Somadatta who is endued with numerous excellent qualities, who is wise and possesses a
merciful heart, and who from his affection for the Kurus always controls his anger towards them.
The son of Somadatta is worthy of the greatest reverence among the Kurus. He is my friend and is a
brother to us. A mighty bowman and the foremost of car-warriors, he is worthy in all respects. Thou
shouldst, O Sanjaya, enquire after his welfare along with that of his friends and counsellors. Others
there are of youthful age and of consideration amongst the Kurus, who bear a relationship to us like
that of sons, grandsons, and brothers. Unto each of these thou must speak words which thou mayst
consider suitable, enquiring, O Suta, after his welfare. Thou must also enquire about the welfare of
those kings that have been assembled by Dhritarashtra's son for fighting with the Pandavas, viz., the
Kekayas, the Vasatis, the Salwakas, the Amvashthas, and the leading Trigartas, and of those endued
with great bravery that have come from the east, the north, the south, and the west, and of those that
have come from hilly countries, in fact, of all amongst them that are not cruel and that lead good
lives. Thou shouldst also represent unto all those persons who ride on elephants, and horses and
cars, and who fight on foot, – that mighty host composed of honourable men, – that I am well, and
then thou must enquire about their own welfare. Thou must also enquire about the welfare of those
that serve the king in the matter of his revenue or as his door-keepers, or as the leaders of his troops,
or as the accountants of his income and outlay, or as officers constantly occupied in looking after
other important concerns. Thou must, O sire, also enquire about the welfare of Dhritarashtra's son
by his Vaisya wife, – that youth who is one of the best of the Kuru race, – who never falls into error,
who possesseth vast wisdom, who is endued with every virtue, and who never cherishes a liking
for this war! Thou shouldst also ask about the welfare of Chitrasena who is unrivalled in the tricks
of dice, whose tricks are never detected by others, who plays well, who is well-versed in the art of
handling the dice, and who is unconquerable in play but not in fight. Thou must also, O sire, enquire
about the welfare of Sakuni, the king of the Gandharas, that native of the hilly country, who is
unrivalled in deceitful games at dice, who enhances the pride of Dhritarashtra's son, and whose understanding
naturally leads to falsehood. Thou must also enquire about the welfare of Karna, the
son of Vikartana, that hero who is ready to vanquish, alone and unassisted, mounted on his car, the
Pandavas whom no one dares assail in battle, that Karna who is unparalleled in deluding those that
are already deluded. Thou must also enquire about the welfare of Vidura, O sire, who alone is devoted
to us, who is our instructor, who reared us, who is our father and mother and friend, whose
understanding finds obstruction in nought, whose ken reaches far, and who is our counsellor. Thou
must also salute all the aged dames and those who are known to be possessed of merit, and those
who are like mothers to us, meeting them gathered together in one place. Thou must tell them, O
Sanjaya, these words at first, – Ye mothers of living sons, I hope, your sons comfort themselves towards
you in a kindly, considerate, and worthy way. – Thou must then tell them that Yudhishthira is
doing well with his sons. Those ladies, O Sanjaya, who are in the rank of our wives, thou must ask
as to their welfare also addressing them in these words, – I hope, you are well-protected. I hope,
your fair fame hath suffered no injury. I hope, you are dwelling within your abodes blamelessly and
carefully. I hope, you are comforting yourselves towards your fathers-in-law in a kindly, praiseworthy
and considerate way. You must steadily adopt such a conduct for yourselves as will help
you to win your husband's favour! Those young ladies, O Sanjaya, who bear a relationship to us like
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