Arghyas offered to them, Krishna took his seat, so also all the kings.  And Dussasana gave an excellent seat to Satyaki, while Vivingsati gave another golden one to Kritavarman.  And not far from where Krishna sat, that illustrious and wrathful pair, Karna and Duryodhana, sat together on the same seat.  And Sakuni, the king of Gandhara, surrounded by the chiefs of his country, sat there, O king, with his son beside him.  And the high-souled Vidura sat on a begemmed seat covered with a white deer-skin that almost touched Krishna’s seat.  And all the kings in the assembly, although they gazed at Janardana of Dasarha’s race for a long while, were not, however, gratified with their gaze, like drinkers of the Amrita, that are never satiated with quaffing measure after measure.  And Janardana attired in yellow robes having the complexion of the Atasi flower, sat in the midst of that assembly like a sapphire mounted on gold.  And after Govinda had taken his seat, a perfect silence ensued, for none present there spoke a single word.’”

SECTION XCV

“Vaisampayana said, ’And after all the kings had been seated and perfect silence had ensued, Krishna possessing fine teeth and having a voice deep as that of the drum, began to speak.  And Madhava although he addressed Dhritarashtra, spoke in a voice deep as the roll of clouds in the rainy season, making the whole assembly hear.  And he said, ’In order that, O Bharata, peace may be established between the Kurus and the Pandavas without a slaughter of the heroes, I have come hither.  Besides this, O king, I have no other beneficial words to utter, O chastiser of foes, everything that should be learnt in this world is already known to thee.  This thy race, O king, owing to its learning and behaviour, and owing also to its being adorned with every accomplishment, is most distinguished among all royal dynasties.  Joy in the happiness of others, grief at sight of other people’s misery, desire to alleviate distress, abstention from injury, sincerity, forgiveness, and truth,—­these, O Bharata, prevail amongst the Kurus.  Then thy race, therefore, O king, is so noble, it would be a pity if anything improper were done by any one belonging to it, and greater pity still if it were done by thee.  O chief of the Kurus, thou art the first of those that should restrain the Kurus if they behave deceitfully towards strangers or those numbering with themselves.  Know, O thou of Kuru’s race, that those wicked sons of thine, headed by Duryodhana, abandoning both virtue and profit, disregarding morality, and deprived of their senses by avarice, are now acting most unrighteously towards, O bull of men, their foremost of kinsmen.  That terrible danger (which threatens all) hath its origin in the conduct of the Kurus.  If thou becomest indifferent to it, it will then produce a universal slaughter.  If, O Bharata, thou art willing, thou mayest be able to allay that danger even yet, for,