SECTION X

“Dhritarashtra said, ’O Muni of profound wisdom, it is even as thou sayest!  I know it well as do all these kings!  Indeed, what thou considerest to be beneficial for the Kurus was pointed out to me, O Muni, by Vidura and Bhishma and Drona.  And, if I deserve thy favour, and if thou hast kindness for the Kurus, do thou exhort my wicked son Duryodhana!’

“Vyasa said, ’O king, after having seen the Pandava brothers, here cometh the holy Rishi Maitreya, with the desire of seeing us.  That mighty Rishi, O king, will admonish thy son for the welfare of this race.  And, O Kauravya, what he adviseth must be followed undoubtingly, for if what he recommendeth is not done, the sage will curse thy son in anger.’”

Vaisampayana continued, “Saying this, Vyasa departed, and Maitreya made his appearance.  And the king with his son respectfully received that way-worn chief of Munis, with offerings of the Arghya and other rites.  And king Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, in words of respect thus addressed the sage, ’O holy one, hath journey from the Kuru-jangala been a pleasant one?  Are those heroes, the five Pandavas living happily?  Do those bulls of the Kuru race intend to stay out their time?  Will the brotherly affection of the Kauravas ever be impaired?’

“Maitreya said, ’Setting out on a pilgrimage to the different shrines, I arrived at Kuru-jangala, and there I unexpectedly saw Yudhishthira the just in the woods of Kamyaka.  And, O exalted one, many Munis had come there to behold the high-souled Yudhishthira, dwelling in an ascetic asylum, clad in deer-skin and wearing matted locks.  It was there, O king of kings, that I heard of the grave error committed by thy sons and the calamity and terrible danger arisen from dice that had overtaken them.  Therefore, it is that I have come to thee, for the good of the Kauravas, since, O exalted one, my affection is great for thee and I am delighted with thee!  O king, it is not fit that thy sons should on any account quarrel with one another, thyself and Bhishma living.  Thou art, O king, the stake at which bulls are tied (in treading cord), and thou art competent to punish and reward!  Why dost thou overlook then this great evil that is about to overtake all?  And, O descendant of the Kurus, for those wrongs that have been perpetrated in thy court, which are even like the acts of wretched outcasts, thou art not well-thought amongst the ascetics!’”

Vaisampayana continued, “Then turning to the wrathful prince Duryodhana, the illustrious Rishi Maitreya addressed him in these soft words, ’O mighty-armed Duryodhana, O best of all eloquent men, O illustrious one, give heed unto the words I utter for my good!  O king, seek not to quarrel with the Pandavas!  And, O bull among men, compass thou thy own good as also of the Pandavas, of the Kurus and of the world!  All those tigers among men are heroes of high prowess in war, gifted with the