Mahabharata 05 (eng)..

UDYOGA PARAVA
SECTION IV
I simply condemn those, O son of Madhu, who are listening to thy words! How, indeed, can he,
who unblushingly dares attach even the slightest blame in the virtuous king Yudhishthira be permitted
to speak at all in the midst of the assembly? Persons clever in the game of dice challenged the
magnanimous Yudhishthira unskilled as he is in play, and confiding in them he was defeated! Can
such persons be said to have virtuously won the game? If they had come to Yudhishthira while
playing in this house with his brothers and defeated him there, then what they would have won
would have been righteously won. But they challenged Yudhishthira who was bound in conscience
to follow the rules observed by the military caste, and they won by a trick. What is there in this
conduct of theirs that is righteous? And how can this Yudhishthira here, having performed to the
utmost the stipulations entered into by way of stakes in the play, freed from the promise of a sojourn
in the forest, and therefore entitled to his ancestral throne, humble himself? Even if
Yudhishthira coveted other people's possessions, still it would not behove him to beg! How can
they be said to be righteous and not intent on usurping the throne when, although the Pandavas have
lived out their sojourn of concealment unrecognised, they still say that the latter had been recognised?
They were besought by Bhishma and the magnanimous Drona, but they would not yet consent
to give back to the Pandavas the throne that belongeth to them by right of birth. The means
with which I would beseech them would be sharp arrows. I shall fight and with a strong hand force
them to prostrate themselves at the feet of the illustrious son of Kunti. If, however, they do not bow
at the feet of the wise Yudhishthira, then they and their partisans must go to the regions of Yama.
When Yuyudhana (myself) is enraged and resolved to fight, they, to be sure, are unequal to withstand
his impetus, as mountains are unable to resist that of the thunderbolt. Who can withstand Arjuna
in fight, or him who hath the discus for his weapon in battle, or myself as well? Who can withstand
the unapproachable Bhima? And who, having regard for his life, would come near the twin
brothers who firmly grasp their bows and resemble the death-dealing Yama in intelligence? Who
would approach Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Drupada, or these five sons of the Pandavas who have
added lustre to Draupadi's name, rivalling their fathers in valour, equal to them in every respect and
full of martial pride, or him of the powerful bow, Subhadra's son, irresistible by even the gods
themselves; or Gada, or Pradyumna, or Samva, resembling Yama or the thunderbolt or fire? We
shall slay Dhritarashtra's son and Sakuni and Karna in battle, and place the Pandava on the throne.
There is no sin in slaying them that are bent on slaying us: but to be a beggar before foes is both
impious and infamous. I ask you to be diligent in doing that which is heartily desired by
Yudhishthira. Let Pandu's son get back the kingdom resigned by Dhritarashtra! Either Yudhishthira
should get back his kingdom this very day or all our enemies shall lie down on the earth slain by
me!'
SECTION IV
Drupada said, 'O mighty-armed one, it will, without doubt, be even as thou hast said! Never will
Duryodhana give up the kingdom by peaceful means, and Dhritarashtra, who dotes on his son, will
follow him in his wish. And so will Bhishma and Drona from imbecility, and Karna and Sakuni
from folly. The words of Valadeva command themselves to my judgment; the course pointed out by
him should, indeed, be followed by a man who desires peaceful settlement. But Duryodhana should
never be addressed in mild words. Vicious by nature, he, I believe cannot be brought to reason by
mildness. In respect of an ass, mildness is in place; but in respect of animals of the bovine species,
severity should be resorted to. If any one were to speak mild words to Duryodhana, vicious by nature
that wicked wight would consider the speaker to be an imbecile person. If a mild course is
adopted towards him, the fool will think that he has won. Let us do even this, let us make preparations;
let us send word to our friends that they may collect an army for us. Let speedy messengers
go to Salya, and Dhrishtaketu, and Jayatsena, and the prince of the Kekayas. Duryodhana also, on
his part, will send word to all the kings, Rightminded persons, however, respond to the request of
those that first beseech them. Therefore, I ask you to make haste in first preferring your suit to these
rulers of men. Meseems that a great undertaking is awaiting us. Quickly send word to Salya, and to
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