We are fortunate that Kunti liveth.  We are fortunate that the wretch Purochana without being able to accomplish his purpose hath himself perished.  From that time when I heard that the sons of Kuntibhoja’s daughter had been burnt to death, I was, O son of Gandhari, ill able to meet any living creature.  O tiger among men, hearing of the fate that overtook Kunti, the world doth not regard Purochana so guilty as it regardeth thee.  O king, the escape, therefore, of the sons of Pandu with life from that conflagration and their re-appearance, do away with thy evil repute.  Know, O thou of Kuru’s race, that as long as those heroes live, the wielder of the thunder himself cannot deprive them of their ancestral share in the kingdom.  The Pandavas are virtuous and united.  They are being wrongly kept out of their equal share in the kingdom.  If thou shouldst act rightly, if thou shouldst do what is agreeable to me, if thou shouldst seek the welfare of all, then give half the kingdom unto them.’”

SECTION CCVI

(Viduragamana Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’After Bhishma had concluded, Drona spoke, saying, ’O king Dhritarashtra, it hath been heard by us that friends summoned for consultation should always speak what is right, true, and conductive to fame.  O sire, I am of the same mind in this matter with the illustrious Bhishma.  Let a share of the kingdom be given unto the Pandavas.  This is eternal virtue.  Send, O Bharata, unto Drupada without loss of time some messenger of agreeable speech, carrying with him a large treasure for the Pandavas.  And let the man go unto Drupada carrying costly presents for both the bridegrooms and the bride, and let him speak unto that monarch of thy increase of power and dignity arising from this new alliance with him.  And, O monarch, let the man know also that both thyself and Duryodhana have become exceedingly glad in consequence of what hath happened.  Let him say this repeatedly unto Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna.  And let him speak also about the alliance as having been exceedingly proper, and agreeable unto thee, and of thyself being worthy of it.  And let the man repeatedly propitiate the sons of Kunti and those of Madri (in proper words).  And at thy command, O king, let plenty of ornaments of pure gold be given unto Draupadi.  And let, O bull of Bharata’s race, proper presents be given unto all the sons of Drupada.  Let the messenger then propose the return of the Pandavas to Hastinapura.  After the heroes will have been permitted (by Drupada), to come hither, let Duhsasana and Vikarna go out with a handsome train to receive them.  And when they will have arrived at Hastinapura, let those foremost of men be received with affection by thee.  And let them then be installed on their paternal throne, agreeably to the wishes of the people of the realm.  This, O monarch of Bharata’s race, is what I think should be thy behaviour towards the Pandavas who are to thee even as thy own sons.’