45. Karna and Bhishma speak their minds

Hearing Duryodhana’s words, Karna said, “Duryodhana, I don’t think that any of your methods will succeed. Earlier, you have tried such methods and failed. The Pandavas were young and inexperienced at that time. Now they have been hardened by age and experience. 

"You failed in your efforts to kill them when they were living near you. They are now living at a distance. I think they can’t be hurt by any of the means suggested by you.  

"Fate seems to be on their side. They are desirous of regaining their kingdom. They can’t be disunited by any of the methods suggested by you. Nor can Draupadi be alienated from them. She chose the Pandavas as her husbands when they were in adversity. Will she leave them now, when they are in prosperity? Drupada is honest and virtuous, He is not greedy. Even if we offer him our entire kingdom, he won’t abandon the Pandavas.

“Bharata acquired the whole earth through his prowess alone. Indra  gained the three worlds by prowess alone. Prowess is always hailed by the Kshatriyas. So, without losing time, let us fight Drupada using the power of our army and crush him. We can then bring the Pandavas here as prisoners. I don’t see any other means by which we may accomplish our end.”

Hearing the words of Karna, Dhritarashtra applauded him and said, “Oh, son of Suta, you are gifted with both wisdom and valor. So, your words favoring the use of prowess suit you well. However, you two take the counsel of Bhishma, Drona and Vidura and adopt a course that will benefit us.”

Dhiritarashtra then summoned his ministers and took their counsel.

Asked by Dhritarashtra to give his opinion, Bhishma said, "O, Dhritarashtra, I can never support a quarrel with the Pandavas. You are to me as Pandu was to me. In the same way, the sons of Pandu are as dear to me as your sons are. I should protect them as much as I should protect your sons. So, I suggest that you enter into a treaty with the Pandavas, by giving them half of the kingdom.

“Duryodhana, just as you consider this kingdom as your paternal property, the Pandavas also look upon it as their paternal possession. If you think that you have lawfully come into possession of the kingdom, the Pandavas lawfully came into possession of the kingdom, even before you did. So, give  them half of the kingdom. It will be beneficial to all. If you act otherwise, evil will befall all of us. You will be covered with dishonor. 

"Duryodhana, strive to maintain your good name. A good name is the source of one's strength. It is said that one whose reputation is gone, lives in vain. A person lives only as long as his good name lasts and dies when he loses his good name. 

"Follow the practice that is worthy of the Kuru race. We are fortunate that the Pandavas and Kunti have not perished. We are fortunate that the wretch Purochana had perished without accomplishing his goal.

"From the time I heard of Kunti’s death, I was not able to meet any living creature. The world, on hearing of the death of Kunti and the Pandavas, did not regard Purochana as much guilty as it regarded you. Therefore, Pandava’s escape from the fire will do away with your evil reputation. 

"The Pandavas are virtuous.Their rightful share in the kingdom is being wrongfully denied to them. If you want to act rightly, if you want to do what is agreeable to me, give half the kingdom to the Pandavas.”

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