“Dhritarashtra said, ’These words, O Vidura, then thou hast spoken in this assembly, with reference to the Pandavas and myself, are for their good but not for ours.  My mind doth not approve them.  How hast thou settled all this in thy mind now?  When thou hast spoken all this on behalf of the Pandavas, I perceive that thou art not friendly to me.  How can I abandon my son for the sake of the sons of Pandu?  Doubtless they are my sons, but Duryodhana is sprung from my body.  Who then, speaking with impartiality, will ever counsel me to renounce my own body for the sake of others?  O Vidura, all that thou sayest is crooked, although I hold thee in high esteem.  Stay or go as thou likest.  However much may she be humoured, an unchaste will forsaketh her husband.’”

Vaisampayana said, “O king, saying this Dhritarashtra rose suddenly and went into the inner apartments.  And Vidura, saying ‘This race is doomed’ went away to where the sons of Pritha were.”

SECTION V

Vaisampayana said, “Desirous of living in the forest, those bulls of the Bharata race, the Pandavas, with their followers, setting out from the banks of the Ganges went to the field of Kurukshetra.  And performing their ablutions in the Saraswati, the Drisadwati and the Yamuna, they went from one forest to another, travelling in an westernly direction.  And at length they saw before them the woods, Kamyaka, the favourite haunt of Munis, situated by a level and wild plain on the banks of the Saraswati.  And in those woods, O Bharata, abounding in birds and deer, those heroes began to dwell, entertained and comforted by the Munis.  And Vidura always longing to see the Pandavas, went in a single car to the Kamyaka woods abounding in every good thing.  And arriving at Kamyaka on a car drawn by swift steeds, he saw Yudhishthira the just, sitting with Draupadi at a retired spot, surrounded by his brothers and the Brahmanas.  And seeing Vidura approach from a distance with swift steps, the virtuous king addressed brother Bhimasena, saying, ’With what message doth Kshatta come to us?  Doth he come hither, despatched by Sakuni, to invite us again to a game of dice?  Doth the little-minded Sakuni intend to win again our weapons at dice?  O Bhimasena, challenged by any one addressing me,—­Come, I am unable to stay.  And if our possession of the Gandiva becomes doubtful, will not the acquisition of our kingdom also be so.’”

Vaisampayana said, “O king, the Pandavas then rose up and welcomed Vidura.  And received by them, that descendant of the Ajamida line (Vidura) sat in their midst and made the usual enquiries.  And after Vidura had rested awhile, those bulls among men asked him the reason of his coming.  And Vidura began to relate unto them in detail everything connected with the bearing of Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika.