that of Arjuna, who taketh the lead in the field of battle.  They remember Bhima wielding his mace when the sound of the conch-shell and the drum rises to the highest pitch.  They remember those mighty car-warriors, the two sons of Madri, who on the field of battle career in all directions, shooting incessant showers of shafts on hostile hosts, and who know not what it is to tremble in fight.  I believe, O king, that which Futurity hath in store for a particular person cannot be known, since thou, O son of Pandu, who art endowed with all the virtues, hast had to suffer trouble of such unendurable kind.  All this, no doubt, O Yudhishthira, thou wilt again make up by help of your intelligence.  The sons of Pandu, all equal to Indra would never abandon virtue for the sake of pleasure.  Thou, O Yudhishthira, wilt so make up thy intelligence that they all, viz., the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu and the Srinjayas, and all the kings who have been assembled here, will attain peace.  O Yudhishthira, bear what thy sire Dhritarashtra having consulted with his ministers and sons, hath spoken to me.  Be attentive to the same.’”

SECTION XXV

“Yudhishthira said, ’Here are met the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, and Krishna, and Yuyudhana and Virata, O son of the Suta Gavalgana, tell us all that Dhritarashtra hath directed thee to say.’

“Sanjaya said, ’I greet Yudhishthira, and Vrikodara and Dhananjaya, and the two sons of Madri, and Vasudeva the descendant of Sura, and Satyaki, and the aged ruler of the Panchalas, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata.  Let all listen to the words I say from a desire for the welfare of the Kurus.  King Dhritarashtra, eagerly welcoming the chance of peace, hastened the preparation of my car for this journey here.  Let it be acceptable to king Yudhishthira with his brothers and sons and relations.  Let the son of Pandu prefer peace.  The sons of Pritha are endowed with every virtue with steadiness and mildness and candour.  Born in a high family, they are humane, liberal, and loath to do any act which would bring on shame.  They know what is proper to be done.  A base deed is not befitting you, for you are so high-minded, and have such a terrible following of troops.  If you committed a sinful act, it would be a blot on your fair name, as a drop of collyrium on a white cloth.  Who could knowingly be ever guilty of an act, which would result in universal slaughter, which would be sinful and lead to hell,—­an act consisting in the destruction (of men), an act the result of which, whether it be victory or defeat, is or the self-same value?  Blessed are they that have served their relative’s cause.  They are the true sons and friends and relatives (of Kuru’s race) who would lay down life, life which is liable to be abused by misdeeds, in order to ensure the welfare of the Kurus.  If you, ye sons of Pritha, chastise the Kurus, by defeating and slaying all your foes,—­that