Without ascertaining the strength and weakness of men, never insult any one under any circumstances.  Blessed be thou, and with our leave, go hence, and never again behave in this way.  At our command, enquire thou always of the Brahmanas as to what is for thy good!  The king then, worshipping the feet of those two illustrious Rishis, returned to his city, and from that time began to practise righteousness.  Great indeed, was that feat achieved of old by Nara.  Narayana, again, became superior to Nara in consequence of many more qualities.  Therefore, O king, besides such weapons as Kakudika, Suka, Naka, Akshisantarjana, Santana, Nartana, Ghora, and Asyamodaka, are placed on the string of that best of bows called Gandiva, go thou unto Dhananjaya, laying aside thy pride Struck with these weapons, men always yield up their lives.  Indeed, these weapons have other means corresponding with the eight passions, such as lust, wrath, covetousness, vanity, insolence, pride, malice, and selfishness.  Struck with them, men are confounded, and move about frantically deprived of their senses.  Under their influence, persons always sleep heavily, cut capers, vomit, pass urine and excreta, weep, and laugh incessantly.  Indeed, that Arjuna is irresistible in fight, who hath for his friend Narayana—­the Creator and Lord of all the worlds—­fully acquainted with the course of everything.  Who is there in the three worlds, O Bharata, who would venture to vanquish that hero—­the Ape-bannered Jishnu—­who hath no equal in battle?  Countless are the virtues that reside in Partha.  Janardana again, is superior to him.  Thou art thyself well-acquainted with Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti.  They that were Nara and Narayana in days of yore are now Arjuna and Kesava.  Know then, O great king, who those brave and foremost of persons are.  If thou believest in this and dost not mistrust me adopt thou a virtuous resolution and make peace with the sons of Pandu.  If thou regardest this as thy good, viz., that there should be no disunion in thy family, then make peace, O foremost of Bharata’s race, and do not set thy heart upon battle.  O thou, that are foremost of Kuru’s line, the race to which thou belongest is highly regarded on earth.  Let that regard continue to be paid to it.  Blessed be thou, think of what conduces to thy own welfare.’”

SECTION XCVII

“Vaisampayana said, ’Having listened to the words of Jamadagnya, the illustrious Rishi Kanwa also said these words unto Duryodhana in that assembly of the Kurus.’

“Kanwa said, ’Brahman, the Grandsire of the universe, is indestructible and eternal.  Those illustrious Rishis, Nara and Narayana, are of the same character.  Of all the sons of Aditi, Vishnu alone is eternal.  He alone is unconquerable and indestructible, existing for ever, the Lord of all, and the possessor of divine attributes.  All others, such as the sun and the moon, earth and