Vaisampayana said, "Then that grandsire of the Bharatas, Bhishma the son
of Santanu, conversant with the _Vedas_, acquainted with the
proprieties of time and place, and possessing a knowledge of every duty
of morality, after the conclusion of Drona's speech, applauded the words
of the preceptor and spake unto the Bharatas for their benefit these
words consistent with virtue, expressive of his attachment to the
virtuous Yudhishthira, rarely spoken by men that are dishonest, and
always meeting with the approbation of the honest. And the words that
Bhishma spake were thoroughly impartial and worshipped by the wise. And
the grandsire of the Kurus said, 'The words that the regenerate Drona
acquainted with the truth of every affair hath uttered, are approved by
me. I have no hesitation in saying so. Endued with every auspicious
mark, observant of virtuous vows, possessed of Vedic lore, devoted to
religious observances, conversant with various sciences, obedient to the
counsels of the aged, adhering to the vow of truth, acquainted with the
proprieties of time, observant of the pledge they have given (in respect
of their exile), pure in their behaviour, ever adhering to the duties of
the Kshatriya order, always obedient to Kesava, high-souled, possessed
of great strength, and ever-bearing the burthens of the wise, those
heroic ones can never wither under misfortune. Aided by their own
energy, sons of Pandu who are now leading a life of concealment in
obedience to virtue, will surely never perish. It is even this that my
mind surmiseth. Therefore, O Bharata, I am for employing the aid of
honest counsel in our behaviour towards the sons of Pandu. It would not
be the policy of any wise man to cause them to be discovered now by
means of spies,[21] what we should do unto the sons of Pandu, I shall
say, reflecting with the aid of the intellect. Know that I shall say
nothing from ill will to thee. People like me should never give such
counsels to him that is dishonest, for only counsels (like those I would
give) should be offered unto them that are honest. Counsels, however,
that are evil, should under no circumstances be offered. He, O child,
that is devoted to truth and obedient to the aged, he, indeed, that is
wise, while speaking in the midst of an assembly, should under all
circumstances speak the truth, if the acquisition of virtue be an object
with him. I should, therefore, say that I think differently from all
those people here, in respect of the abode of Yudhishthira the just in
this the thirteenth year of his exile. The ruler, O child, of the city
or the province where king Yudhishthira resides cannot have any
misfortune. Charitable and liberal and humble and modest must the people
be of the country where king Yudhishthira resides. Agreeable in speech,
with passions under control, observant of truth, cheerful, healthy, pure
in conduct, and skilful in work must the people be of the country where
king Yudhishthira resides. The people of the place, where Yudhishthira
is, cannot be envious or malicious, or vain, or proud, but must all
adhere to their respective duties. Indeed, in the place where
Yudhishthira resides, Vedic hymns will be chanted all around, sacrifices
will be performed, the last full libations will always be poured,[22]
and gifts to Brahmanas will always be in profusion. There the clouds,
without doubt, pour abundant rain, and furnished with good harvest the
country will ever be without fear. There the paddy will not be without
grain, fruits will not be bereft of juice, floral garlands will not be
without fragrance, and the conversation of men will always be full of
agreeable words. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the breezes will
be delicious, the meetings of men will always be friendly, and cause of
fear there will be none. There kine will be plentiful, without any of
them being lean-fleshed or weak, and milk and curds and butter will all
be savoury and nutritious. There where king Yudhishthira resides, every
kind of corn will be full of nutrition and every edible full of flavour.
There where king Yudhishthira resides, the objects of all the senses,
viz.,--taste, touch, smell, and hearing, will be endued with excellent
attributes. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the sights and scenes
will be gladdening. And the regenerate ones of that place will be
virtuous and steady in observing their respective duties. Indeed, in the
country where the sons of Pandu may have taken up their abode during
this thirteenth year of their exile, the people will be contented and
cheerful, pure in conduct and without misery of any kind. Devoted to
gods and guests and the worship of these with their whole soul, they
will be fond of giving away, and filled with great energy, they will all
be observant of eternal virtue. There where king Yudhishthira resides,
the people, eschewing all that is evil, will be desirous of achieving
only what is good. Always observant of sacrifices and pure vows, and
hating untruth in speech, the people of the place where king
Yudhishthira may reside will always be desirous of obtaining what is
good, auspicious and beneficial. There where Yudhishthira resides, the
people will certainly be desirous of achieving what is good, and their
hearts will always incline towards virtue, and their vows being
agreeable they themselves are ever-engaged in the acquisition of
religious merit. O child, that son of Pritha in whom are intelligence
and charity, the highest tranquillity and undoubted forgiveness, modesty
and prosperity, and fame and great energy and a love for all creatures,
is incapable of being found out (now that he hath concealed himself)
even by Brahmanas, let alone ordinary persons. The wise Yudhishthira is
living in close disguise in regions whose characteristics I have
described. Regarding his excellent mode of life, I dare not say anything
more. Reflecting well upon all this, do without loss of time what thou
mayst think to be beneficial, O prince of the Kuru race, if indeed, thou
hast any faith in me.'"
[21] This is a very difficult sloka. I am not sure that I have
understood it alright. Both Nilakantha and Arjuna Misra are
silent. Instead of depending, however, on my own intelligence, I
have consulted several friends who have read the _Mahabharata_
thoroughly. The grammatical structure is easy. The only
difficulty consists in the second half of the sloka. The
meaning, however, I have given is consistent with the tenor of
Bhishma's advice.
[22] Indicating the unobstructed completion of the sacrifice.