"Yudhishthira said, 'O child, why dost thou use language such as this,
towards the frightened Kurus, who are now in adversity and who have come
to us, solicitous of protection! O Vrikodara, disunions and disputes do
take place amongst those that are connected in blood. Hostilities such
as these do go on. But the honour of the family is never suffered to be
interfered with. If any stranger seeketh to insult the honour of a
family, they that are good never tolerate such insult coming from the
stranger. The wicked-souled king of the Gandharvas knoweth that we are
living here from some time. Yet disregarding us, he hath done this deed
which is so disagreeable to us! O exalted one, from this forcible
seizure of Duryodhana and from this insult to the ladies of our house by
a stranger, our family honour is being destroyed. Therefore, ye tigers
among men, arise and arm yourselves without delay for rescuing those
that have sought our protection and for guarding the honour of our
family. Ye tigers among men, let Arjuna and the twins and thyself also
that art brave and unvanquished, liberate Duryodhana, who is even now
being taken away a captive! Ye foremost of warriors, these blazing cars,
furnished with golden flagstaffs and every kind of weapons belonging to
Dhritarashtra's sons, are ready here. With Indrasena and other
charioteers skilled in arms, for guiding them, ride ye on these
everfurnished cars of deep rattle! And riding on these, exert ye with
activity for fighting with the Gandharvas to liberate Duryodhana. Even
an ordinary Kshatriya (amongst those that are here), would to the
height of his power, protect one that hath come hither for refuge! What
then, O Vrikodara, shall I say of thee! Entreated for assistance in such
words as "_O hasten to my aid_!" Who is there (amongst those standing
around me) that is high-souled enough to assist even his foe, beholding
him seeking shelter with joined hands? The bestowal of a boon,
sovereignty, and the birth of a son are sources of great joy. But, ye
sons of Pandu, the liberation of a foe from distress is equal to all the
three put together! What can be a source of greater joy to you than that
Duryodhana sunk in distress seeketh his very life as depending on the
might of your arms? O Vrikodara, if the vow in which I am engaged had
been over, there is little doubt that I would myself have run to his
aid. Strive thou by all means, O Bharata, to liberate Duryodhana by the
arts of conciliation. If, however, the king of the Gandharvas cannot be
managed by the arts of conciliation, then must thou try to rescue
Suyodhana by lightly skirmishing with the foe. But if the chief of the
Gandharvas do not let the Kurus off even then, they must be rescued by
crushing the foe by all means. O Vrikodara, this is all I can tell thee
now, for my vow hath been begun and is not ended yet!'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Ajatasatru, Dhananjaya
pledged himself, from respect for these commands of his superior, to
liberate the Kauravas. And Arjuna said, 'If the Gandharvas do not set
the Dhartarashtras free peacefully, the Earth shall this day drink the
blood of the king of the Gandharvas!' And hearing that pledge of the
truth-speaking Arjuna, the Kauravas then, O king, regained (the lost)
tenor of their minds."