(Sisupala-badha Parva)
Vaisampayana said,--"Beholding that vast assembly of kings agitated
with wrath, even like the terrific sea agitated by the winds that blow
at the time of the universal dissolution, Yudhishthira addressing the
aged Bhishma, that chief of intelligent men and the grandsire of the
Kurus, even like Puruhita (Indra) that slayer of foes, of abundant
energy addressing Vrihaspati, said,--'This vast ocean of kings, hath
been agitated by wrath. Tell me, O Grandsire, what I should do in view
of this. O Grandsire, now what I should do that my sacrifice may not be
obstructed and my subjects may not be injured.'
"When king Yudhishthira the just, conversant with morality, said this,
Bhishma the grandsire of the Kurus, spoke these words in reply,--'Fear
not, O tiger of the Kurus. Can the dog slay the lion? I have before
this found out a way that is both beneficial and comfortable to
practise. As dogs in a pack approaching the lion that is asleep bark
together, so are all these lords of earth. Indeed, O child, like dogs
before the lion, these (monarchs) are barking in rage before the
sleeping lion of the Vrishni race. Achyuta now is like a lion that is
asleep. Until he waketh up, this chief of the Chedis--this lion among
men--maketh these monarchs look like lions. O child, O thou foremost of
all monarchs, this Sisupala possessed of little intelligence is
desirous of taking along with him all these kings, through the agency
of him who is the soul of the universe, to the regions of Yama.
Assuredly, O Bharata Vishnu hath been desirous of taking back unto
himself the energy that existeth in this Sisupala. O Chief of all
intelligent men, O son of Kunti, the intelligence of this wicked-minded
king of the Chedis, as also of all these monarchs, hath become
perverse. Indeed, the intelligence of all those whom this tiger among
men desireth to take unto himself, becometh perverse even like that of
this king of the Chedis. O Yudhishthira, Madhava is the progenitor as
also the destroyer of all created beings of the four species,
(oviparous, etc.,) existing in the three worlds.'"
Vaisampayana continued--"Then the ruler of Chedis, having heard these
words of Bhishma, addressed the latter, O Bharata, in words that were
stern and rough.