by us at dice.  Why will he again believe my words?  So also, Krishna, ever engaged in the good of the Parthas, when he came to us as an envoy, was deceived by us.  That act of ours was exceedingly ill-judged.  Why then, O regenerate one, will Hrishikesa trust my words?  The princess Krishna, while standing in the midst of the assembly, wept piteously.  Krishna will never forget that act of ours, nor that act, the deprivation of Yudhishthira by us of his kingdom.  Formerly, it was heard by us that the two Krishnas have the same heart between them and are firmly united with each other.  Today, O lord, we have seen it with our eyes.  Having heard of the slaughter of his sister’s son, Keshava passeth his nights in sorrow.  We have offended him highly.  Why will he forgive us then?  Arjuna also, in consequence of Abhimanyu’s death, hath become very miserable.  Even if solicited, why will he strike for my good?  The second son of Pandu, the mighty Bhimasena, is exceedingly fierce.  He has made a terrible vow.  He will break but not bend.  The heroic twins, breathing animosity against us, when clad in mail and armed with their swords, resemble a pair of Yamas.  Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi have drawn their swords against me.  Why will those two, O best of Brahmanas, strive for my good?  While clad in a single raiment and in her season, the princess Krishna was treated cruelly by Duhshasana in the midst of the assembly and before the eyes of all.  Those scorchers of foes, the Pandavas, who still remember the naked Draupadi plunged into distress, can never be dissuaded from battle.

“’"Then again, Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, is in sorrow, undergoing the austerest of penances for my destruction and the success of the objects cherished by her husbands, and sleepeth every day on the bare ground, intending to do so till the end of the hostilities is attained.  Abandoning honour and pride, the uterine sister of Vasudeva (Subhadra) is always serving Draupadi as veritable waiting woman.  Everything, therefore, hath flamed up.  That fire can never be quenched.  Peace with them hath become impossible in consequence of the slaughter of Abhimanyu.  Having also enjoyed the sovereignty of this earth bounded by the ocean, how shall I be able to enjoy, under favour of the Pandavas, a kingdom in peace?  Having shone like the Sun upon the heads of all the kings, how shall I walk behind Yudhishthira like a slave?  Having enjoyed all enjoyable articles and shown great compassion, how shall I lead a miserable life now, with miserable men as my companions?  I do not hate those mild and beneficial words that thou hast spoken.  I, however, do not think that this is the time for peace.  To fight righteously is, O scorcher of foes, what I regard to be good policy.  This is not the time for acting like a eunuch.  On the other hand, that is time for the battle.  I have performed many sacrifices.  I have given away Dakshinas to Brahmanas, I have obtained the attainment