“That bull of the Bharata race, Arjuna, O great king, on whom
depend the lives of Pandu's sons, and on whose death the Panchalas as
also ourselves with our sons and Satyaki and Vasudeva are sure to die,
hath gone away at thy behest. What can be sadder than this that the
virtuous Vibhatsu hath gone away at thy command, thinking of his
many griefs? Depending upon the might of that illustrious hero's
arms, regard our foes as already vanquished in battle, and the whole
earth itself as already acquired by us. It was for the sake of that mighty
warrior that I refrained from sending to the other world all the Dharta-
rashtras along with the Suvalas, in the midst of the assembly. Gifted
with might of arms, and supported by Vasudeva, we have to suppress
the wrath that hath been roused in us, because thou art the root of that
wrath. Indeed, with Krishna's help, slaying our foes headed by Karna,
we are able to rule the entire earth (thus) conquered by our own arms.
Endued with manliness, we are yet overwhelmed with calamities, in
consequence of thy gambling vice, while the foolish sons of Dhritarashtra are growing stronger with the tributes (gathered from dependent
kings). O mighty monarch, it behoveth thee to keep in view the duties
of the Kshatriya. O great king, it is not the duty of a Kshatriya to live
in the woods. The wise are of the opinion that to rule is the foremost
duty of a Kshatriya. O king, thou art conversant with Kshatriya
morality. Do not, therefore, deviate from the path of duty. Turning
away from the woods, let us, summoning Partha and Janardana, slay,
O king, the sons of Dhritarashtra, even before the twelve years are
complete. O illustrious monarch, O king of kings, even if these Dhartarashtras be surrounded by soldiers in array of battle, I shall send them
to the other world by dint of might alone. I shall slay all the sons of
Dhritarashtra along with the Sauvalas, indeed, Duryodhana, Karna, and
any one else that will fight with me. And after I shall have slain all
our foes, thou mayst come back unto the woods, By acting thus, O king,
no fault will be thine. ( Or if any sin be thine ), O repressor of foes,
O mighty monarch, washing it off, O sire, by various sacrifices, we may
ascend to a superior heaven. Such a consummation may come to pass, if
our king proveth not unwise or procrastinating. Thou art, however,
virtuous. Verily the deceitful should be destroyed by deceit. To slay
the deceitful by deceit, is not regarded as sinful. O Bharata, it is also
said by those versed in morality that one day and night is, O great
prince, equal unto a full year. The Veda text also, exalted one, is often
heard, signifying that a year is equivalent to a day when passed in the
observance of certain difficult vows. O thou of unfading glory, if the
Vedas are an authority with thee, regard thou the period of a day and
something more as the equivalent of thirteen years. O repressor of foes,
this is the time to slay Duryodhana with his adherents. Else, O king,
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