46. Dhritarashtra's Decision

After Bhishma, it was Drona’s turn to speak. He said, “Oh, King Dhritarashtra, we have been taught that when consulted by our friends, we should always speak what is right, true, and conductive to fame. My views are the same as those of Bhishma.  

"Let the Pandavas be given a part of the kingdom. Please send a messenger to Drupada immediately. Let him carry a lot of valuable presents for the bridegrooms and the bride. Let him convey to Drupada that you feel that your power and dignity have been enhanced by this alliance of the Kurus with Drupada. 

"Let him speak highly of the Pandavas. Let him also convey to the king that both yourself and Duryodhana are happy about the marriage. Let the messenger also carry a lot of presents to Drupada and his sons.

“When the Pandavas return to Hastinapura after getting the permission of Drupada, let Duschasana and Vikarna go out and receive them. When the Pandavas arrive at Hastinapura, you should receive them  with warmth and affection.The Pandavas should be installed in their paternal throne.This is how you should treat the Pandavas, who are like your own sons.”

After Drona had spoken, Karna said, “Oh, king! Both Bhishma and Drona have been pampered by you through your showering your wealth on them and through your conferring many favors on them.While you have always considered them as your trusted friends, it is strange that they give you advice that is not for your good!

“How can a wise person accept an advice given by people out of wicked intentions, after concealing their wickedness? During the time of distress, friends can do us neither good nor harm. Our happiness or sorrow is decided by destiny. The wise and the foolish, the young and the old, those who have allies and those who don’t have allies are all sometimes happy and sometimes unhappy.

“There was a king by name Amvuvicha, ruling from his capital Rajagriha. He was the king of all the Magadha chiefs. He never attended to his affairs, leaving everything to his ministers. For him, even breathing was an exertion! Eventually, his minister Mahakarni, became the supreme authority in the state. He gradually appropriated everything belonging to the king including his treasures, his queens and his sovereignty.

“But the possession of all these, instead of satisfying his avarice, only made him aspire for more and more things. He wanted to possess the throne. But in spite of all his efforts, he couldn’t appropriate the throne. What else can we conclude from this except that the king’s sovereignty was dependent on destiny?

“Therefore, this kingdom conferred on you by destiny will continue to be with you, even if the whole world were to become your enemy! But if the destiny were to ordain differently, the kingdom won’t remain with you! Oh king, considering all these, judge the honesty of your advisers. Decide who among them spoke with wickedness and who spoke wisely and well.”

Hearing Karna’s words, Drona said, “It is evident that your words are a result of your wicked intentions. Since you want to harm the Pandavas, you find fault with us. Whatever I said is for the good of the Kuru race. If you think what I said was out of evil intentions, then tell us what is good for us. If the good advice given by me is not followed, I think that the Kurus will be exterminated soon.

After this, Vidura said, “Oh, king, your friends are only saying what is good for you. But since you are not willing to listen to what they say, their words do not penetrate your ears. What Bhishma, the foremost of the Kuru race, said is excellent  and it is for your good. But you don’t listen to his advice. 

"What the preceptor Drona said is also for your good. But what Karna said can’t be regarded to be so. I don’t find anyone who is a better friend of you or of men of better wisdom  than Bhishma or Drona.

“These two, who are senior in years and in wisdom, always look at you and the sons of Pandu the same way. These two men are not inferior to Rama, the son of Dasaratha in virtue or truthfulness. Never have they given you evil advice. Never have you caused them any injury either. So why should these tigers, who have always been truthful, give you wicked advice? 

"Endowed with wisdom, they will never give you any evil advice. It is my firm conviction that these two, well versed in rules of morality, will never give any advice that will be partisan. I consider their advice to be highly beneficial to you.

“Oh, king! The Pandavas are your sons as much as Duryodhana and his brothers are. Those who give advice that will bring evil are those who don’t look into your interests. If there is any partiality in your heart for your own children, those who try to bring it out definitely are not doing you any good.

“These illustrious men of great splendor have not said anything that will lead to evil. But you do not understand this. What they said about the invincibility of the Pandavas is perfectly true. 

"Can Arjuna, who can use both his hands equally well, be defeated even by Indra? Can Bhima, who has the strength of a thousand elephants, be vanquished even by the immortals? Will anyone, who wants to live, confront the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, who are like the sons of Yama? 

"How can anyone vanquish Yudhishtira, en embodiment of patience, compassion, forgiveness and truth. Those, who have Balarama as their ally. Krishna as their advisor and Satyagi as their supporter have already defeated everybody in war.

“Those, who have Drupada as their father-in-law, and Drupada's sons – Drishtadhyumnan and others – as his brothers in law are invincible, indeed. Bear this in mind and the fact that their claim for the throne is prior to even yours and act with fairness. You have a stigma attached to you because of Purochana’s sinful act. You can relieve yourself of this, by acting kindly  towards the Pandavas. This will also protect all of us of the Kuru race.

“We have had a war with Drupada earlier. If we can make him our ally, it will strengthen us. Who, unless cursed by God, will seek to achieve through war what can be achieved through conciliation? Hearing that the Pandavas are alive, the people have become very happy and they are eager to see them. 

"Oh king, act in a way that will be acceptable to the people. Duryodhana, Karna and Sakuni, are young and foolish. Don’t listen to them. I told you a long time back that for the fault of Duryodhana, the people of this country should not be destroyed."

After listening to everyone, Dhritarashtra said, “The learned Bhishma, the illustrious Drona, and you said what is true and also what is most beneficial to me. The heroic sons of Pandu are my sons too and as my sons, they are entitled to this kingdom. 

"Therefore, quickly bring the Pandavas here, along with their mother and Draupadi. It is out of  sheer good fortune that the Pandavas are alive that the Pandavas have obtained the daughter of Drupada, that we have become stronger, that  Purochana has perished and that my grief has been killed.”

Vidura departed to Panchala to bring the Pandavas to Hastinapura, as per the command of Dhritarashtra.