warriors have united with Duryodhana and are filled with delight at the prospect of fighting the Pandavas.  O hero of Dasarha’s race, it doth not commend itself to me that thou shouldst enter into their midst.  How, O grinder of foes, wilt thou repair into the midst of those numerous enemies of thine, of wicked souls, and seated together?  O thou of mighty arms, thou art, indeed, incapable of being vanquished by the very gods, and I know, O slayer of foes, thy manliness and intelligence.  O Madhava, the love I bear to thee is equal to that I bear to the sons of Pandu.  I say, therefore, these words to thee from my affection, regard, and friendship for thee.  What need is there in expressing to thee the delight that has been mine at sight of thy persons, for, thou, O thou of eyes like lotus, art the inner Soul of all embodied creatures.’”

SECTION XCIII

“The holy one said, ’That, indeed, which should be said by a person of great wisdom:  that, indeed, which should be said by one possessed of great foresight; that indeed, which should be said by one like thee to a friend like me; that indeed, which is deserving of thee, being consistent with virtue and profit, and truth; that, O Vidura, hath been said by thee, father and mother-like, unto me.  That which thou hast told me is certainly true, worthy of approbation and consistent with reason.  Listen, however, with attention, O Vidura, to the reason of my coming.  Well knowing the wickedness of Dhritarashtra’s son and the hostility of the Kshatriyas that have sided with him.  I have still, O Vidura, come to the Kurus.  Great will be the merit earned by him who will liberate from the meshes of death the whole earth, with her elephants, cars and steeds, overwhelmed with a dreadful calamity.  If a man striving to the best of his abilities to perform a virtuous act meets with failure, I have not the least doubt that the merit of that act becomes his, notwithstanding such failure.  This also is known to those that are conversant with religion and scripture, that if a person having intended mentally to commit a sinful act does not actually commit it, the demerit of that act can never be his.  I will sincerely endeavour, O Vidura, to bring about peace between the Kurus and the Srinjayas who are about to be slaughtered in battle.  That terrible calamity (which hangs over them all) hath its origin in the conduct of the Kurus, for it is directly due to the action of Duryodhana and Karna, the other Kshatriyas only following the lead of these two.  The learned regard him to be a wretch who doth not by his solicitation seek to save a friend who is about to sink in calamity.  Striving to the best of his might, even to the extent of seizing him by the hair, one should seek to dissuade a friend from an improper act.  In that case, he that acteth so, instead of incurring blame, reapeth praise.  It behoveth Dhritarashtra’s son, therefore, O Vidura, with his counsellors, to accept my good and