with calamities, in consequence of thy gambling vice,
while the foolish followers 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 represser 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 represser of foes, this is the time
to slay Duryodhana with his adherents. Else, O
king, he will beforehand bring the whole earth obedient
to his will. O foremost of monarchs, all this
is the result of thy addiction to gambling. We
are on the verge of destruction already, in consequence
of thy promise of living one year undiscovered.
I do not find the country where, if we live, the wicked-minded
Suyodhana may not be able to trace us by his spies.
And finding us out, that wretch will again deceitfully
send us into such exile in the woods. Or if that
sinful one beholdeth us emerge, after the expiry of
the pledged period of non-discovery, he will again
invite thee, O great king, to dice, and the play will
once more begin. Summoned once more, thou wilt
again efface thyself at dice. Thou art not skilled
at dice, and when summoned at play, thou wilt be deprived
of thy senses. Therefore, O mighty monarch thou
wilt have to lead a life in the woods again.
If, O mighty king, it behoveth thee not to make us
wretched for life, observe thou fully the ordinance
of the Vedas, (which inculcateth that) verily the
deceitful ought to be slain by deceit. If I but
have thy command I would go (to Hastinapura) and,
even as fire falling upon a heap of grass consumeth
it, would slay Duryodhana, putting forth my utmost
might. It behoveth thee, therefore, to grant
me the permission.’”