’Thus consoled by Krishna, Kunti, afflicted with grief on account of her sons, but soon dispelling the darkness caused by her temporary loss of understanding, replied unto Janardana, saying, ’Whatever, O mighty-armed one, thou, O slayer of Madhu, regardest as proper to be done, let that be done without sacrificing righteousness, O chastiser of foes, and without the least guile.  I know, O Krishna, what the power of thy truth and of thy lineage is.  I know also what judgment and what prowess thou bringest to bear upon the accomplishment of whatever concerns thy friends.  In our race, thou art Virtue’s self, thou art Truth, and thou art the embodiment of ascetic austerities.  Thou art the great Brahma, and everything rests on thee.  What, therefore, thou hast said must be true.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Bidding her farewell and respectfully walking round her, the mighty-armed Govinda then departed for Duryodhana’s mansion.’”

SECTION XCI

“Vaisampayana said, ’With Pritha’s leave and having walked round her, the chastiser of foes, Govinda, also called Sauri, went to Duryodhana’s palace that was furnished with great wealth, adorned with beautiful seats, and was like unto the abode of Purandara himself.  Unobstructed by the orderlies-in-waiting, that hero of great fame crossed three spacious yards in succession and then entered that mansion looking like a mass of clouds, high as the summit of a hill, and blazing forth in splendour.  And he there beheld Dhritarashtra’s son of mighty arms seated on his throne in the midst of a thousand kings and surrounded by all the Kurus.  And he also beheld there Dussasana and Karna and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, seated on their respective seats by the side of Duryodhana.  And on that scion of Dasarha’s race entering the court, Dhritarashtra’s son of great fame rose up from his seat with his counsellors for honouring the slayer of Madhu.  And Kesava then greeted Dhritarashtra’s sons and all his counsellors as also all the kings that were present there, according to their respective ages.  And Achyuta of Vrishni’s race then took his seat on a beautiful seat made of gold and overlaid with carpet embroidered with gold.  And the Kuru king then offered unto Janardana a cow, and honey and curds and water, and placed at his service palaces and mansions and the whole kingdom.  And then the Kauravas, with all the kings there present, worshipped Govinda on his seat and resembling the sun himself in splendour.  The worship being over, king Duryodhana invited him of Vrishni’s race—­that foremost of victors—­to eat at his house, Kesava, however did not accept the invitation.  The Kuru king Duryodhana seated in the midst of the Kurus, in a gentle voice but with deception lurking behind his words, eyeing Karna, and addressing Kesava, then said, ’Why, O Janardana, dost thou not accept the diverse kinds of viands and drinks, robes and beds that have all been prepared and kept ready for thee?  Thou hast granted aid to both sides; thou art engaged in the good of both parties.  Thou art again the foremost of Dhritarashtra’s relations and much loved by him.  Thou, O Govinda, also knowest fully, and all things in details, both religion and profit.  I, therefore, desire to hear, O bearer of the discus and the mace, what the true reason is of this thy refusal.’