Karna and Drona and the grandsire Bhishma, as also to many other Kurus, that there is no wielder of the bow, comparable to Arjuna.  It is known to all the assembled rulers of the earth, how the sovereignty was obtained by Duryodhana although that repressor of foes, Arjuna, was alive.  Pertinanciously doth Dhritarashtra’s son believe that it is possible to rob the sons of Pandu of what is their own, although he knoweth having himself gone to the place of fight, how Arjuna comforted himself when he had nothing but a bow four cubits long for his weapon of battle.  Dhritarashtra’s sons are alive simply because they have not as yet heard that twang of the stretch Gandiva.  Duryodhana believeth his object already gained, as long as he beholdeth not the wrathful Bhima.  O sire, even Indra would forbear to rob us of our sovereignty as long as Bhima and Arjuna and the heroic Nakula and the patient Sahadeva are alive!  O charioteer, the old king with his son still entertains the notion that his sons will not be perished, O Sanjaya, on the field of battle, consumed by the fiery wrath of Pandu’s sons.  Thou knowest, O Sanjaya, what misery we have suffered!  For my respect to thee, I would forgive them all.  Thou knowest what transpired between ourselves and those sons of Kuru.  Thou knowest how we comforted ourselves towards Dhritarashtra’s son.  Let the same state of things still continue, I shall seek peace, as thou counsellest me to do.  Let me have Indraprastha for my kingdom, Let this be given to me by Duryodhana, the chief of Bharata’s race.’”

SECTION XXVII

“Sanjaya said, ’O Pandava, the world hath heard thy conduct being righteous.  I see it also to be so, O son of Pritha.  Life is transient, that may end in great infamy; considering this, thou shouldst not perish.  O Ajatasatru, if without war, the Kurus will not yield thy share, I think, it is far better for thee to live upon alms in the kingdom of the Andhakas and the Vrishnis than obtain sovereignty by war.  Since this mortal existence is for only a short period, and greatly liable to blame, subject to constant suffering, and unstable, and since it is never comparable to a good name, therefore, O Pandava, never perpetrate a sin.  It is the desires, O ruler of men, which adhere to mortal men and are an obstruction to a virtuous life.  Therefore, a wise man should beforehand kill them all and thereby gain a stainless fame in the world, O son of Pritha.  The thirst after wealth is but like fetter in this world; the virtue of those that seek it is sure to suffer.  He is wise who seeketh virtue alone; desires being increased, a man must suffer in his temporal concerns, O sire.  Placing virtue before all other concerns of life, a man shineth like the sun when its splendour is great.  A man devoid of virtue, and of vicious soul, is overtaken by ruin, although he may obtain the whole of this earth.  Thou hast studied the Vedas, lived the life of a saintly Brahman,