The Kurus Debate about the Päëòavas 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Spies and agents brought news to the world leaders that the Päëòavas were not dead, and it was they who had won splendid Draupadé as their wife. It was the great soul Arjuna, a most glorious fighter with mighty bow and arrows, who had strung the impossible bow and pierced the difficult target. And the mighty one who had lifted up Çalya, king of Madra, and spun him around, and who had terrified the men by angrily brandishing a tree in the arena–there was no more confusion whatsoever about the identity of that great soul, for he was Bhémasena, of the awesome touch, who brings down whole divisions and armies of enemies. Hearing that the sons of King Päëòu had done all this disguised as brähmaëas, the rulers of mankind were wonderstruck. The kings of the world had formerly heard that Kunté and her sons had burned to death in a house of lac, and now they felt as if the Päëòavas had risen from the dead. Cursing and reviling Bhéñma and the Kuru king, Dhåtaräñöra, for the most cruel act, which was in fact perpetrated by Purocana under the direction of Duryodhana, the kings dispersed at the conclusion of the svayaàvara festival knowing that it was the Päëòavas in disguise whom Kåñëä had chosen. 
Now King Duryodhana was discouraged, and he returned to his home with his brothers and Açvatthämä, Çakuni, Karëa, and Kåpa, having seen Draupadé select as her husband Arjuna, who was known for his pure white stallions. Duùçäsana was ashamed at this setback for the Päëòavas' enemies, and in a soft whisper he said to Duryodhana, «If Arjuna had not disguised himself as a brähmaëa, he never would have won Draupadé. Actually, king, no one knew that he was Dhanaïjaya Arjuna. My opinion is that the will of God is supreme, and the efforts of men are of no avail. Our manly strength is useless, dear brother, for the Päëòavas have stolen the prize.» 
Thus conversing, and rebuking Purocana, they entered the city of Hastinäpura in confused and dejected spirits. Seeing how the mighty sons of Påthä had escaped the raging fire and were now allied with Drupada, the Kuru princes were deeply afraid of retaliation, for they had failed in their sinister plot. They also worried over Dhåñöadyumna, who was born to kill Droëa, and Çikhaëòi, who was bent on slaying Bhéñma, and the other sons of Drupada, for all these warriors were masters of war. 
Vidura Kñattä was pleased and amazed upon hearing that Draupadé had chosen the Päëòavas, O king, and that the sons of Dhåtaräñöra had returned embarrassed, their pride broken. He said to his eldest brother, Dhåtaräñöra, «By God's grace the Kuru dynasty is expanding.» Hearing the news from Vidura, Dhåtaräñöra, the son of Vicitravérya, was filled with joy, O Bhärata, and he cried out, «Thank heaven! Thank heaven!» for the blind king, who was said to have an eye of wisdom, mistakenly assumed that young Draupadé had chosen his eldest son, Duryodhana. Dhåtaräñöra then ordered a wealth of ornaments to be given to Draupadé and sent word to his son Duryodhana, «Let my new daughter-in-law Kåñëä be brought here at once!» 
At this point, Vidura explained that Draupadé had actually chosen the Päëòavas, and that all those heroes had survived the fire and were healthy; moreover, now that Drupada had honored and welcomed them into his family, they had acquired many powerful allies. 
Dhåtaräñöra said: 
As much as Päëòu loved his sons, so do I love them and more. My pleasure has now increased, Vidura, and the Kurus have prospered more than I had imagined, for the heroic Päëòavas are alive and healthy and they have acquired important friends. Indeed, what king deprived of his opulence and seeking prosperity would not be eager to approach Drupada and his associates and secure their friendship? 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
When Dhåtaräñöra was speaking in this way, Vidura replied, «O king, may you always see things this way, for a hundred autumns.» 
Thereupon Duryodhana and Karëa Rädheya came to see Dhåtaräñöra, O king, and they said to him, «We are not able to speak to you in the presence of Vidura. We will speak to you in private. [When Vidura had gone, Duryodhana said:] What does he want with you? Father, do you think the success of your rivals is your own? You praise them highly in the presence of Vidura, O noble man, when our real duty is quite different. You, my faultless king, will act now in a different way, for we must constantly cut down their strength. The time has come for all of us to seriously plan what we wish to do, so that they do not swallow us whole, along with our children, armies, and friends.» 
Dhåtaräñöra said: 
I, too, am worried about this, just as all of you are, but I do not wish to reveal my real feelings to Vidura, and so especially in his company I praise the good qualities of the Päëòavas so that Vidura does not discern my purpose by my words and expression. Duryodhana, tell me where you think we stand now, and Karëa, you also tell me how you see the present situation. 
Duryodhana said: 
At this point we must employ expert and trustworthy brähmaëas to divide the sons of Kunté from the sons of Mädré. Or perhaps we can use huge amounts of wealth to entice King Drupada, his sons, and all his ministers, and then we can tell them, «You must all renounce King Yudhiñöhira Kaunteya.» Or they might convince the Päëòavas to make their permanent home right there in the kingdom of Drupada. They would have to explain to each of the Päëòavas the disadvantages of their living here, so that the Päëòavas themselves will make up their minds to separate from us. 
Or perhaps some very clever men who are expert in such affairs should divide the Päëòavas by manipulating their affections, or else they must cause Kåñëä to stand up against them. That should be an easy job, since she has to deal with so many of them. Or they may sew the seeds of conflict in the Päëòavas against Draupadé and then cut her off from them. Another point is that some expert men must secretly arrange Bhémasena's death, O king, for he is definitely the strongest of them all. When he is cut down, O king, so will their daring and vigor and stamina be cut down. They will no more struggle for their kingdom, since he is their foundation and shelter. 
Arjuna is invincible in battle as long as Bhéma guards him from behind, but without him Arjuna is not even one fourth the man in battle that Karëa is. Knowing their great weakness without Bhéma and recognizing that we are strong, they shall perish with little resistence in his absence. When the Päëòavas come here, if they agree to be ruled by our command then we shall move forward and crush them with full faith in our plan. Or we can always arrange beautiful, maddening women to seduce them, one by one, and Draupadé will surely give up her affection for them. 
Or let us send Karëa Rädheya to bring them here, and we shall arrange for professional criminals we can trust to kill them on the way. Anyway, whichever of these methods you consider to be free of flaws, set it into motion at once, before time runs out. As long as Drupada, that bull of a king, has not developed full trust in them, only so long are these plans possible to carry out, but once Drupada's alliance with them is firmly in place, these plans will be impossible to execute. That is my opinion, father, which proceeds from the conviction that we are to curb the Päëòavas. What do you think, Rädheya? Is my opinion right or wrong? 
Karëa Rädheya said: 
Duryodhana, I feel that your thinking on this matter is not accurate. O Kuru prince, the Päëòavas cannot be subdued by the means you propose. In the past you have attempted to subdue them through subtle plots, my hero, but you could not overcome them. They were living right here with you, O king, like children or little birds without wings, and it was impossible to stop them. Now they have grown their wings, for they have allies and they have risen up to strength and prosperity, and in all ways they have matured. You cannot deal with the sons of Kunté by such means as you propose. This is my view, O unfailing one. They seem to embody the will of providence, and it is impossible to entangle them in vice; moreover, they are on their guard now and are yearning to get back their ancestral kingdom. 
It is impossible to create division among them; they all love a single wife and will not be separated from her. Nor can Draupadé be separated from them by the work of outsiders. Why, she chose them when they were in a miserable condition, and what to speak of now, when they have ended their troubles! Women desire to be maintained and protected by many men. Draupadé has attained such a status, and she will not be easily separated from her husbands. 
King Drupada is a religious man of noble character; he is not the type of king who is mad after wealth. I am certain he would not renounce the Kaunteyas even in return for gifts of kingdoms. His son is just as noble as the father, and he is very attached to the Päëòavas. Therefore I conclude that in no way can we handle the Päëòavas through such means. 
O best of men, this is what we can actually do now: as long as the Päëòavas have not yet spread their roots, O king, we must directly attack them. May you approve and be pleased with a plan that depends on valor [and not trickery]. As long as our side is strong and the side of Päïcäla much smaller, we should seize the moment to attack them! There is nothing more for you to analyze. Now, while they still do not have an abundance of vehicles and mounts, or a large number of friends, O godly son of Gändhäré, march on them at once! It is now, while the king of Päïcäla and his powerful sons cannot even imagine such an enterprise, that you must make war! 
And especially now that Çré Kåñëa has not yet come leading the war machine of the Yadu dynasty to rescue the kingdom of the Päëòavas, you must at once go to war! For the Päëòavas' sake, O king, Kåñëa is prepared to sacrifice vast amounts of wealth, varieties of enjoyment, and His entire kingdom. 
It is by the use of force that the great soul Bharata gained the earth, and it is through the employment of force that Indra conquered the three worlds. People praise a warrior's prowess, my king, for to use power courageously is the duty of heroes, noble king. 
We ourselves, with our fourfold armies, O king, shall harass Drupada and then quickly capture the Päëòavas and bring them here. No sweet words, no gifts or bribes, and no ploys to divide and conquer will ever be successful in controlling the Päëòavas. Therefore we must conquer them by courage and strength! When you have conquered them with your courage, you will enjoy every land on the face of the earth. I do not see any other means to carry out this task, O lord of the people. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Hearing these words of Karëa Rädheya, the powerful Dhåtaräñöra thanked him, and after a moment he said, «O son of a süta. it is fitting that you, being a great-minded man and a master of weapons, have spoken such words, which are full of the vigor of combat. But it is best that Bhéñma and Droëa and Vidura, alonf with you two men, together decide the wisest plan, the one that will bring us a happy ending.» Then the famous Dhåtaräñöra brought all these advisers, O king, and they began to deliberate. 
Bhéñma said: 
Under no circumstances can I condone a war with the sons of Päëòu, for as much as I care about Dhåöaräñöra, I care that much for Päëòu and his family, without a doubt. I have the same feelings for Kunté's sons as I do for the sons of Gändhäré, and it is my duty to protect them–as much as it is your duty, Dhåtaräñöra. And as I am responsible for the well-being of the Päëòavas, so is King Dhåtaräñöra, and so are you, Duryodhana, and all the other Kurus. Indeed, all the citizens should be concerned to help and care for them. 
This being the case, I find no pleasure in making war with them. Let us rather make peace with those heroes, and let us give them their land at once, for this kingdom is theirs to rule; it is the kingdom of their father and of their forefathers, who were the greatest of the Kurus. Duryodhana, my son, just as you see this kingdom as the land of your fathers, so do the Päëòavas see it that way. If the austere Päëòavas have not really inherited the kingdom, then how does it belong to you, or to any Bhärata? If you have gotten the kingdom fairly, noble Bhärata, then surely they have gotten it before you, in my opinion. 
We must act with kindness and give them half the kingdom, for that is certainly in the interest of all the people. If we do otherwise, it will not be for our good, and you will inherit utter infamy without doubt. You must guard your reputation, for a good reputation is surely the greatest power. It is said that when a man's reputation is ruined, his life becomes fruitless. If a man's reputation is unspoiled, Kaurava, then he actually lives, but when his reputation is ruined, O son of Gändhäré, he is ruined. You must strictly abide by this religious law, for such is the custom of the Kuru family. O mighty-armed one, act in a manner worthy of your ancestors and yourself. It is by the grace of heaven that those heroes live and Påthä is still alive. And by the grace of heaven wicked Purocana has passed away, frustrated in his schemes. 
From the time I heard that Kunté was lost in the fire. Duryodhana, I had not the strengthöto see the face of a single creature. And the world does not accuse Purocana of evil-doing as much as it accuses you, O tiger of men. The fact that they are still living relieves you of the dark stain of sin. Indeed, to see the Päëòavas again is something to be fervently wished. Now that those heroes are alive, even Indra himself, thunderbolt in hand, could not take from them their rightful share of their father's kingdom. O Kuru child, every one of them is fixed in the sacred law, for their minds only think of God's will, and now those princes have been thrown out of the kingdom in the most unlawful way, though they have the same right as any of you to rule it. If you are interested in following the religious law, if you wish to please me, and if you would act for the well-being of the world, then you must give half of this kingdom. 
Droëa said: 
Dhåtaräñöra's friends have been brought together for council, to make a practical proposal that will enhance our virtue and reputation; thus we have heard, your majesty. And I am of the same mind as the great soul Bhéñma. The Päëòavas must be given their equal share of the kingdom. That is our eternal religious law. We must quickly send to Drupada a man who knows how to speak pleasantly, and who will bring them many jewels, O Bhärata. He should go at once and also bring many gifts that will lead Drupada to reciprocate our generosity. 
The man should explain the tremendous benefits and prosperity that will arise by uniting, just as you might say it, Dhåtaräñöra. And he must explain again and again to Drupada and Dhåñöadyumna that you and Duryodhana are most pleased with this prospect, O Bhärata. After the sons of Kunté and Mädré are pacified for all the past wrongs, the propriety and the pleasure of unity should be explained again and again. 
By your command, mighty king, the messenger must present to Draupadé many shining adornments fashioned of gold; and fitting presents should similarly be offered to all the sons of Drupada, and to all the Päëòavas and to Kunté. Thus as soon as Drupada and the Päëòavas are completely conciliated, the messenger should speak and explain why they should return to Hastinäpura. When those heroes agree to the proposal, a beautiful army escort, headed by Duùçäsana and Vikarëa, should go and escort the Päëòavas back to the city. Thereupon, O noble king, being regularly honored by you, and with the good wishes of the citizens, they will stand in the place of their fathers. I agree with Bhéñma, O Bhärata, that this is the way you and your sons must act toward the Päëòavas, for in the absence of their father they are also your children. 
Karëa said: 
These two counselors have always worked for money and prestige in all their so-called duties. Why is it very amazing, then, when they cannot or will not give good advice? How can a man who claims to speak what is best for others convince honest people when he speaks with a dirty mind and hidden motives? This shows that when the things we value are threatened, our so-called friends can neither help nor harm us, for in both happiness or distress everything depends on destiny. Whether a man is wise or foolish, young or old, and whether he has friends to help him or not, wherever he goes he encounters all that is destined for him. 
We have heard from authorities that long ago there was a certain king named Ambuvéca in the royal palace of the Mägadha monarchs. Deprived of all his senses, the king could only breathe, and he depended on his ministers to perform all the duties of state. His counselor named Mahäkarëi then became the real master of the country, and thinking he had now gained control of the military, he began to despise the king. The foolish man seized all the privileges and properties of the king, including his women and jewels. But after he had gained what he coveted, his greed only increased, and having taken everything, he now desired to formally seize the kingdom. But although he endeavored, he was unable to steal the kingdom of a monarch who was deprived of all his senses and could only breathe, and this we have heard from authorities. What else could his kingship be, if not a position ordained by providence? 
If a kingdom is destined for you, then it shall be, O king. While the whole world watches, sovereignty will certainly stand with you. And if anything else is destined to be, even by endeavoring, you shall not attain it. Thus, learned man, you must take into consideration the honesty and dishonesty of those who advise you, and you must know whether a particular piece of advice is coming from the wicked or from those who are free of malice. 
Droëa said: 
We know for what purpose you with your flawed nature have spoken these words, for you are corrupted by envy of the Päëòavas, and now you would persuade us to adopt your wicked envy. I speak what is absolutely most beneficial for the prosperity and well-being of the Kuru dynasty. If you think that is wicked, Karëa, then you tell us what is best for the well-being of this dynasty. I speak what is best both in a practical and religious sense, and if anything besides this is done, then within a short time the ancient Kuru line will be destroyed. That is my conviction. 
The Wisdom of Vidura 
Çré Vidura said: 
King Dhåtaräñöra, it is beyond doubt the duty of your relatives to tell you what is best, but words do not long remain in those who do not want to hear them. The most noble of Kurus, Bhéñma, son of Çantanu, has told you what is actually good for us, but you do not accept it, O king. Similarly, Droëa explained in various ways how we can achieve the greatest good, but that, too, the süta's son Karëa does not think beneficial for you. 
But even after thinking it over, I do not see anyone who is a better friend to you, O king, than these two lionlike men, Bhéñma and Droëa, nor is anyone wiser than they. These two men are senior in age, wisdom, and education, and they are impartial toward you, noble king, and to the sons of Päëòu. They are not less than Lord Räma or King Gaya in their truthfulness and in their devotion to duty, O Bhärata, and there is no doubt about it. From the very beginning they have never uttered a single word that was not benevolent, nor have they ever been seen to do you any harm. How could these two tigers of men fail to recommend what is actually best for you, these two who are victorious by their devotion to truth? They hold real wisdom, O king, they are the best men in this world, and they will never say anything deceitful, especially when the matter concerns you, and that remains my unshakable conviction, O Kuru son. These two religious-minded men will not speak in favor of a particular side for money's sake. Rather, they are thinking of your greatest good, O Bhärata. 
Undoubtedly, king, the sons of your beloved brother Päëòu mean as much to you as your own sons, headed by Duryodhana. If your advisers foolishly counsel you to do anything harmful, they are simply not seeing what is good for you. And if in your heart, O king, there is partiality toward your sons, then these counselors, by revealing your bias, would certainly not help you. 
These two great and brilliant souls did not reveal any such bias, O king, but still you are not convinced by their words. These two leaders of men have stated that the Päëòavas cannot be overcome, and that is the fact, O tiger of men; it is a fact in your life, and may God bless you to realize it. How is it possible to conquer in battle the handsome Arjuna, when even Indra cannot defeat that fiery Päëòava? And huge Bhémasena has the strength of ten thousand elephants in his mighty arms. How is it possible, O king, for even the gods to conquer him in battle? And it is the same with the twins, who fight with the deadly precision of the sons of death. How could anyone who wishes to live challenge them on a warfield? And the one in whom relentless drive, mercy, forgiveness, truth, and victory ever reside–how can he, the senior Päëòava, be conquered in battle? 
What evades their conquest, when Lord Balaräma has taken their side, Lord Kåñëa is their personal adviser, and Sätyaki stands with them in battle? Drupada is the father of their wife, and his sons, the heroic brothers headed by Dhåñöadyumna, are now their brothers-in-law. Knowing they cannot be overcome, and that by ancient and sacred law they have first right to their father's kingdom, you must behave rightly with them. 
Your honor has been tainted by the great infamy of Purocana's act, O king, and now you must cleanse yourself of that stain by showing your mercy to the Päëòavas. Drupada is a powerful king who has an old feud to settle with us; an alliance with him would strengthen our side. And there are many powerful warriors of the Däçärha clan who always side with Çré Kåñëa, and victory is always with Kåñëa. If a task can be accomplished with kind words, O king, who is that man so cursed by providence that he would strive for the same result through war? The citizens of the town and country have already heard that the Päëòavas are alive, and they intensely desire to see them. Give them that satisfaction, O king. 
Duryodhana, Karëa, and Subala's son Çakuni are bound to irreligious acts, for they have a corrupted vision and are still childish. Do not put faith in their words. You are a good man, my king, but I have told you long ago that by Duryodhana's treachery our people will perish.