"Yudhishthira said,--'Desirous of the imperial dignity but acting from
selfish motives and relying upon courage alone, how, O Krishna, can I
despatch ye (unto Jarasandha)? Both Bhima and Arjuna, I regard as my
eyes, and thee, O Janardana as my mind. How shall I live, deprived of
my eyes and mind. Yama himself cannot vanquish in battle the mighty
host of Jarasandha that is endued, besides, with terrible valour. What
valour can ye exhibit against it. This affair that promises to
terminate otherwise may lead to great mischief. It is my opinion,
therefore, that the proposed task should not be undertaken. Listen, O
Krishna, to what I for one think. O Janardana, desisting from this act
seemeth to me to be beneficial. My heart to-day is afflicted. The
Rajasuya appeareth to me difficult of accomplishment.'"
Vaisampayana said,--"Arjuna who had obtained that excellent of bows and
that couple of inexhaustible quivers, and that car with that banner, as
also that assembly room, now addressed Yudhishthira and said,--'I have
obtained, O king, a bow and weapons and arrows and energy and allies
and dominions and fame and strength. Those are always difficult of
acquisition, however much they may be desired. Learned men of repute
always praise in good society nobleness of descent. But nothing is
equal to might. Indeed, O monarch, there is nothing I like more than
prowess. Born in a race noted for its valour, one that is without
valour is scarcely worthy of regard. One, however, possessed of valour,
that is born in a race not noted for it, is much superior to the
former. He, O king, is a Kshatriya in every thing who increaseth his
fame and possessions by the subjugation of his enemies. And he that is
possessed of valour, though destitute of all (other) merits, will
vanquish his foes. One, however, that is destitute of valour, though
possessed of every (other) merit, can scarcely accomplish anything.
Every merit exists by the side of valour in an incipient state.
Concentration of attention, exertion and destiny exist as the three
causes of victory. One, however, that is possessed of valour doth not
yet deserve success if he acts carelessly. It is for this that an enemy
endued with strength sometimes suffers death at the hands of his foes.
As meanness overtakes the weak, so folly sometimes overtakes the
strong. A king, therefore, that is desirous of victory, should avoid
both these causes of destruction. If, for the purpose of our sacrifice,
we endeavour to slay Jarasandha and rescue the kings kept by him for a
cruel purpose, there is no higher act which we could employ ourselves
in. If, however, we do not undertake the task, the world will always
think us incompetent. We have certainly the competence, O king! Why
should you, therefore, regard us as incompetent? Those that have become
Munis desirous of achieving tranquillity of souls, obtain yellow robes
with ease. So if we vanquish the foe, the imperial dignity will easily
be ours. We shall, therefore fight the foe.'