profit, ’Thou hast already heard the measured words spoken by the high-souled chief of the Madhu’s race.  Say unto the assembled kings that those are also my words.  And say this also for me, unto those kings,—­Do ye together try to act in such a way that libations may not have to be poured into the arrowy fire of the great sacrifice of battle, in which the rattle of car-wheels will sound as mantras, and the rank-routing bow will act as the ladle.  If, indeed, ye do not give up unto Yudhishthira, that slayer of foes, his own share in the kingdom asked back by him, I shall then, by means of my arrows, send all of you, with cavalry, infantry, and elephants, into the inauspicious regions of departed spirits.’  Then bidding adieu unto Dhananjaya and Hari of four arms and bowing unto them both, I have with great speed come hither to convey those words of grave import to thee, O thou that art endued with effulgence equal that of the very gods.’

SECTION LXVII

“Vaisampayana said, ’When Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, showed little regard for the words spoken by Sanjaya, and when the rest remained silent, the assembled kings rose up and retired.  And after all the kings of the earth had retired, king Dhritarashtra, who always followed the counsels of his son from affection, wishing success to the assembled kings, began to enquire in secret of Sanjaya about the resolve of his own party, and of the Pandavas who were hostile to him.  And Dhritarashtra said, ’Tell me truly, O son of Gavalgana, in what consists the strength and weakness of our own host, Minutely acquainted as thou art with the affairs of the Pandavas, tell me in what lies their superiority and in what, their inferiority.  Thou are fully conversant with the strength of both parties, Thou knowest all things, and art well-versed in all matters of virtue and profit.  Asked by me, O Sanjaya, say which of the parties, when engaged in battle, will perish?’

“Sanjaya said, ’I will not say anything to thee in secret, O king, for then thou mayst entertain ill-feelings towards me.  Bring thou hither, O Ajamida, thy father Vyasa of high vows and thy queen Gandhari.  Conversant with morality, of keen perception, and capable of arriving at the truth, they will remove any ill-feelings thou mayst cherish against me.  In their presence, O king, I will tell thee everything about the intensions of Kesava and Partha.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Thus addressed, Dhritarashtra caused both Gandhari and Vyasa to be brought there.  And introduced by Vidura they entered the court without delay.  And understanding the intentions of both Sanjaya and his son, Krishna-Dwaipayana endued with great wisdom said, ’Say, O Sanjaya, unto the enquiring Dhritarashtra everything that he desireth to know.  Tell him truly all that thou knowest about Vasudeva and Arjuna.’”

SECTION LXVIII