“Yudhishthira said,—­“Intelligent as thou art, thou hast said what none else is capable of saying.  There is none else on earth who is settler of all doubts.  Behold, there are kings in every province employed in benefiting their respective selves.  But no one amongst them hath been able to achieve the imperial dignity.  Indeed, the title emperor is difficult of acquisition.  He that knoweth the valour and strength of others never applaudeth himself.  He, indeed, is really worthy of applause (worship) who, engaged in encounters with his enemies, beareth himself commendably.  O thou supporter of the dignity of the Vrishni race, man’s desires and propensities, like the wide earth itself adorned with many jewels, are varied and extensive.  As experience can seldom be gained but by travelling in regions remote from one’s home, so salvation can never be attained except by acting according to principles that are very high, compared with the ordinary level of our desire and propensities.  I regard peace of mind as the highest object here, for from that quality may proceed my prosperity.  In my judgment, if I undertake to celebrate this sacrifice, I shall never win the highest reward.  O Janardana, endued with energy and intelligence, these that have been born in our race think that some one amongst them will at one time become the foremost amongst all Kshatriyas.  But, O exalted one, we also were all frightened by the fear of Jarasandha and, O sinless one, by the wickedness of that monarch.  O thou invincible in battle, the might of thy arm is my refuge.  When, therefore, thou taken fright at Jarasandha’s might, how should I regard myself strong in comparison with him?  Madhava, O thou of the Vrishni race, I am repeatedly depressed by the thought whether Jarasandha is capable or not of being slain by thee, by Rama, by Bhimasena, or by Arjuna.  But what shall I say, O Keshava?  Thou art my highest authority on everything.’

“On hearing these words, Bhima well-skilled in speech said,—­’That king who is without exertion, or who being weak and without resources entereth into hostility with one that is strong, perisheth like an ant-hill.  It may be generally seen, however, that even a king that is weak may vanquish an enemy that is strong and obtain the fruition of all his wishes, by wakefulness and by the application of policy.  In Krishna is policy, in myself strength, in Arjuna triumphs.  So like the three (sacrificial) fires that accomplish a sacrifice, we shall accomplish the death of the king of Magadha.”

“Krishna then said,—­’One that is immature in understanding seeketh the fruition of his desire without an eye to what may happen to him in future.  It is seen that no one forgiveth for that reason a foe that is of immature understanding and inclined to serve his own interests.  It hath been heard by us that in the krita age, having brought every one under their subjection, Yauvanaswin by the abolition of all taxes, Bhagiratha by his kind treatment