“Dhritarashtra said, Yudhishthira the son of Pandu is endued with Kshatriya energy and leadeth the Brahmacharya mode of life from his very youth.  Alas, with him these foolish sons of mine desire to fight, disregarding me that am thus bewailing.  I ask thee, O Duryodhana, O foremost of the Bharata race, desist from hostility.  O chastiser of foes, under any circumstances, war is never applauded.  Half the earth is quite enough for the maintenance of thyself and all thy followers.  Give back unto the sons of Pandu, O chastiser of foes, their proper share.  All the Kauravas deem just this to be consistent with justice, that thou shouldst make peace with the high-souled sons of Pandu.  Reflect thus, O son, and thou wilt find that this thy army is for thy own death.  Thou understandest not this from thy own folly.  I myself do not desire war, nor Vahlika, nor Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Aswatthaman, nor Sanjaya, nor Somadatta, nor Salya, nor Kripa, nor Satyavrata, nor Purumitra, nor Bhurisravas,—­in fact, none of these desireth war.  Indeed, those warriors upon whom the Kauravas, when afflicted by the foe, will have to rely, do not approve of the war.  O child, let that be acceptable to thee.  Alas, thou dost not seek it of thy own will, but it is Karna and the evil-minded Dussasana and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, that are leading thee to it.’

“Duryodhana said, ’I challenge the Pandavas to battle, without depending upon thyself, Drona, or Aswatthaman, or Sanjaya, or Vikarna, or Kamvoja, or Kripa, or Vahlika, or Satyavrata, or Purumitra, or Bhurisravas, or others of thy party.  But, O bull among men, only myself and Karna, O sire, are prepared to celebrate the sacrifice of battle with all the necessary rites, making Yudhishthira the victim.  In that sacrifice, my car will be the altar; my sword will be the smaller ladle, my mace, the large one, for pouring libations; my coat of mail will be assembly of spectators; my four steeds will be the officiating priests; my arrows will be the blades of Kusa grass; and fame will be the clarified butter.  O king, performing, in honour of Yama, such a sacrifice in battle, the ingredients of which will all be furnished by ourselves, we will return victoriously covered with glory, after having slain our foes.  Three of us, O sire, viz., myself and Karna and my brother Dussasana,—­will slay the Pandavas in battle.  Either I, slaying the Pandavas, will sway this Earth, or the sons of Pandu, having slain me, will enjoy this Earth.  O king, O thou of unfading glory, I would sacrifice my life, kingdom, wealth, everything, but would not be able to live side by side with the Pandavas.  O venerable one, I will not surrender to the Pandavas even that much of land which may be covered by the sharp point of a needle.’