SECTION CXXIX

“Vaisampayana said, ’Hearing these words of Krishna, king Dhritarashtra lost no time in addressing Vidura, who was conversant with all dictates of virtue.  And the king said, ’Go, O child, unto Gandhari, possessed of great wisdom and foresight and bring her hither.  With her I will solicit this wicked-hearted (son of mine).  If she can pacify this wicked wretch, of evil heart, we may yet be able to act according to the words of our friend Krishna.  It may be that speaking words in recommendation of peace, she may yet succeed in pointing out the right path to this fool, afflicted by avarice and having wicked allies, If she can dispel this great and dreadful calamity (about to be) occasioned by Duryodhana, it will then conduce to the attainment and preservation of happiness and peace for ever and ever.’  Hearing these words of the king, Vidura, at Dhritarashtra’s command, brought (thither) Gandhari, possessed of great foresight.  And Dhritarashtra then addressed Gandhari and said, ’Behold, O Gandhari, this thy son of wicked soul, transgressing all my commands, is about to sacrifice both sovereignty and life in consequence of his lust for sovereignty.  Of wicked soul and little understanding, he hath, like one of uncultivated mind, left the court, with his sinful counsellors, disregarding his superiors and setting at naught the words of his well-wishers.’

“Vaisampayana said, ’Hearing these words of her husband, that princess of great fame, Gandhari, desirous of what was highly beneficial, said these words, ’Bring hither, without loss of time, that kingdom-coveting, sick son of mine.  He that is of uncultivated heart and sacrificeth both virtue and profit, doth not deserve to govern a kingdom.  For all that, however, Duryodhana, who is destitute of humility hath, by every means, obtained a kingdom.  Indeed, O Dhritarashtra, thou so fond of thy son, art very much to be blamed for this, for knowing well his sinfulness, thou followest yet his counsel.  That son of thine, completely possessed by lust and wrath is now the slave of delusion, and is, therefore, incapable, O king, of being now forcibly turned back by thee.  Thou art now reaping the fruit, O Dhritarashtra, of having made over the kingdom to an ignorant fool of wicked soul, possessed by avarice and having wicked counsellors.  Why is the king indifferent (today) to that disunion, which is about to take place between persons related so closely?  Indeed, beholding thee disunited with those that are thy own, thy enemies will laugh at thee.  Who is there that would use force for getting over that calamity, O king, which can be overcome by conciliation and gift?’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Kshattri then, and at Dhritarashtra’s command, and of his mother’s also, once more caused vindictive Duryodhana to enter the court.  Expectant of his mother’s words, the prince re-entered the court, with eyes red as copper from wrath, and breathing heavily as a snake.  And beholding her son, who was treading in a wrong path, enter the court, Gandhari rebuked him severely and said these words for bringing about peace.’