now in the other world.  O thou of Kuru’s race, he wishes to give away wealth that belongs to thee by conquest.  Indeed, O mighty-armed one, it is for Bhishma and others that the old king is desirous of making those gifts.  It behoves thee to grant thy permission.  By good luck it is, O thou of mighty arms that Dhritarashtra today begs wealth of us, he who was formerly begged by us.  Behold the reverse brought about by Time.  That king who was before the lord and protector of the whole Earth, now desires to go into the woods, his kinsmen and associates all slain by foes.  O chief of men, let not thy views deviate from granting the permission asked for.  O mighty-armed one, refusal, besides bringing infamy, will be productive d demerit.  Do thou learn your duty in this matter from the king, thy eldest brother, who is lord of all.  It becometh thee to give instead of refusing, O chief of Bharata’s race.  Vibhatsu who was saying so wag applauded by king Yudhishthira the just.  Yielding to wrath, Bhimasena said these words, ’O Phalguna, it is we that shall make gifts in the matter of Bhishma’s obsequies, as also of king Somadatta and of Bhurisravas, of the royal sage Valhika, and of the high-souled Drona, and of all others.  Our mother Kunti shall make such obsequial offerings for Karna.  O foremost of men, let not Dhritarashtra perform those Sraddhas.  Even this is what I think.  Let not our foes be gladdened.  Let Duryodhana and others sink from a miserable to a more miserable position.  Alas, it was those wretches of their race that caused the whole Earth to be exterminated.  How hast thou been able to forget that anxiety of twelve long years, and our residence in deep incognito that was so painful to Draupadi?  Where was Dhritarashtra’s affection for us then?  Clad in a black deer-skin and divested of all thy ornaments, with the princess of Panchala in thy company, didst thou not follow this king?  Where were Bhishma and Drona then, and where was Somadatta?  Thou hadst to live for thirteen years in the woods, supporting thyself on the products of the wilderness.  Thy eldest father did not then look at thee with eyes of parental affection.  Hast thou forgotten, O Partha, that it was this wretch of our race, of wicked understanding, that enquired of Vidura, when the match at dice was going on,—­’What has been won?’ Hearing thus far, king Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, endued with great intelligence, rebuked him and told him to be silent."’

SECTION XII

“Arjuna said, ’O Bhima, thou art my elder brother and, therefore, my senior and preceptor.  I dare not say anything more than what I have already said.  The royal sage Dhritarashtra deserves to be honoured by us in every respect.  They that are good, they that are distinguished above the common level, they that break not the distinctions which characterise the good, remember not the wrongs done to them but only the benefits they have received.’  Hearing these words of the high-souled Phalguna, the righteous-souled Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, addressed Vidura and said these words, ’Instructed by me, O Kshattri, do thou say unto the Kuru king that I shall give him as much wealth from my treasury as he wishes to give away for the obsequies of his song, and of Bhishma and others among his well-wishers and benefactors.  Let not Bhima be cheerless at this!’