in pursuance of their promise.  They will live in the woods for twelve years.  Practising the Brahmacharyya mode of life for this period, they will return in anger and to our great grief take the amplest vengeance on their foes.  I had formerly deprived Drupada of his kingdom in a friendly dispute.  Robbed of his kingdom by me, O Bharata, the king performed a sacrifice for obtaining a son (that should slay me).  Aided by the ascetic power of Yaja and Upayaja, Drupada obtained from the (sacrificial) fire a son named Dhrishtadyumna and a daughter, viz., the faultless Krishna, both risen from the sacrificial platform.  That Dhrishtadyumna is the brother-in-law of the sons of Pandu by marriage, and dear unto them.  It is for him, therefore that I have much fear.  Of celestial origin and resplendent as the fire, he was born with bow, arrows, and encased in mail.  I am a being that is mortal.  Therefore it is for him that I have great fear.  That slayer of all foes, the son of Parshatta, hath taken the side of the Pandavas.  I shall have to lose my life, if he and I ever encounter each other in battle.  What grief can be greater to me in this world than this, ye Kauravas that Dhrishtadyumna is the destined slayer of Drona—­this belief is general.  That he hath been born for slaying me hath been heard by me and is widely known also in the world.  For thy sake, O Duryodhana, that terrible season of destruction is almost come.  Do without loss of time, what may be beneficial unto thee.  Think not that everything hath been accomplished by sending the Pandavas into exile.  This thy happiness will last for but a moment, even as in winter the shadow of the top of the palm tree resteth (for a short time) at its base.  Perform various kinds of sacrifices, and enjoy, and give O Bharata, everything thou likest.  On the fourteenth year hence, a great calamity will overwhelm thee.’”

Vaisampayana continued,—­“Hearing these words of Drona, Dhritarashtra said,—­’O Kshatta, the preceptor hath uttered what is true.  Go thou and bring back the Pandavas.  If they do not come back, let them go treated with respect and affection.  Let those my sons go with weapons, and cars, and infantry, and enjoying every other good thing.’”

SECTION LXXX

Vaisampayana said,—­“defeated at dice, after the Pandavas had gone to the woods, Dhritarashtra, O king, was overcome with anxiety.  And while he was seated restless with anxiety and sighing in grief, Sanjaya approaching him said, ’O lord of the earth having now obtained the whole earth with all its wealth and sent away the sons of Pandu into exile, why is it, O king, that thou grievest so?”

Dhritarashtra said,—­’What have they not to grieve for who will have to encounter in battle those bulls among warriors—­the sons of Pandu—­fighting on great cars and aided by allies?’