"Bhishma said,--'The will under which the ruler of Chedi summoneth thee
to fight though thou art of strength that knoweth no deterioration, is
scarcely his own intention. Assuredly, this is the purpose of Krishna
himself, the lord of the universe. O Bhima, what king is there on earth
that would dare abuse me thus, as this wretch of his race, already
possessed by Death, hath done to-day? This mighty-armed one is, without
doubt, a portion of Hari's energy. And surely, the Lord desireth to
take back unto himself that energy of his own.' In consequence of this,
O tiger of the Kuru race, this tiger-like king of Chedi, so wicked of
heart, roareth in such a way caring little for us all."
Vaisampayana continued,--"Hearing these words of Bhishma, the king of
Chedi could bear no more. He then replied in rage unto Bhishma in these
words.--
"'Let our foes, O Bhishma, be endued with that prowess which this
Kesava hath, whom thou like a professional chanter of hymns praisest,
rising repeatedly from thy seat. If thy mind, O Bhishma, delighteth so
in praising others, then praise thou these kings, leaving off Krishna.
Praise thou this excellent of kings, Darada, the ruler of Valhika, who
rent this earth as soon as he was born. Praise thou, O Bhishma, this
Karna, the ruler of the territories of Anga and Vanga, who is equal in
strength unto him of a thousand eyes, who draweth a large bow, who
endued with mighty arms owneth celestial ear-rings of heavenly make
with which he was born and this coat of mail possessing the splendour
of the rising sun, who vanquished in a wrestling encounter the
invincible Jarasandha equal unto Vasava himself, and who tore and
mangled that monarch. O Bhishma, praise Drona and Aswatthaman, who both
father and son, are mighty warriors, worthy of praise, and the best of
Brahmanas, and either of whom, O Bhishma, if enraged could annihilate
this earth with its mobile and immobile creatures, as I believe. I do
not behold, O Bhishma, the king that is equal in battle unto Drona or
Aswatthaman. Why wishest thou not to praise them? Passing over
Duryyodhana, that mighty-armed king of kings, who is unequalled in
whole earth girt with her seas and king Jayadratha accomplished in
weapons and endued with great prowess, and Druma the preceptor of the
Kimpurushas and celebrated over the world for prowess, and Saradwata's
son, old Kripa, the preceptor of the Bharata princes and endued with
great energy, why dost thou praise Kesava? Passing over that foremost
of bowmen--that excellent of kings, Rukmin of great energy, why
praisest thou Kesava? Passing over Bhishmaka of abundant energy, and
king Dantavakra, and Bhagadatta known for his innumerable sacrificial
stakes, and Jayatsena the king of the Magadha, and Virata and Drupada,
and Sakuni and Vrihadvala, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avant Pandya,
Sweta Uttama Sankhya of great prosperity, the proud Vrishasena, the
powerful Ekalavya, and the great charioteer Kalinga of abundant energy,
why dost thou praise Kesava? And, O Bhishma, if thy mind is always
inclined to sing the praises of others, why dost thou not praise Salya
and other rulers of the earth? O king, what can be done by me when (it
seemeth) thou hast not heard anything before from virtuous old men
giving lessons in morality? Hast thou never heard, O Bhishma, that
reproach and glorification, both of self and others, are not practices
of those that are respectable? There is no one that approveth thy
conduct, O Bhishma, in unceasingly praising with devotion, from
ignorance alone, Kesava so unworthy of praise. How dost thou, from thy
wish alone, establish the whole universe in the servitor and cowherd of
Bhoja (Kansa)? Perhaps, O Bharata, this thy inclination is not
conformable to thy true nature, like to what may be in the bird
Bhulinga, as hath already been said by me. There is a bird called
Bhulinga living on the other side of the Himavat. O Bhishma, that bird
ever uttereth words of adverse import. "Never do anything rash,"--this
is what she always sayeth, but never understandeth that she herself
always acteth very rashly. Possessed of little intelligence that bird
picketh from the lion's mouth the pieces of flesh sticking between the
teeth, and at a time when the lion is employed in eating. Assuredly, O
Bhishma, that bird liveth at the pleasure of the lion. O sinful wretch,
thou always speakest like that bird. And assuredly, O Bhishma, thou art
alive at the pleasure only of these kings. Employed in acts contrary to
the opinions of all, there is none else like thee!'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Hearing these harsh words of the ruler of
Chedi, Bhishma, O king, said in the hearing of the king of
Chedi,--'Truly am I alive at the pleasure of these rulers of earth. But
I do regard these kings as not equal to even a straw.' As soon as these
words were spoken by Bhishma, the kings became inflamed with wrath. And
the down of some amongst them stood erect and some began to reprove
Bhishma. And hearing those words of Bhishma, some amongst them, that
were wielders of large bows exclaimed, 'This wretched Bhishma, though
old, is exceedingly boastful. He deserveth not our pardon. Therefore,
ye kings, incensed with rage as this Bhishma is, it is well that this
wretch were slain like an animal, or, mustering together, let us burn
him in a fire of grass or straw.' Hearing these words of the monarchs,
Bhishma the grand-sire of the Kurus, endued with great intelligence,
addressing those lords of earth, said,--'I do not see the end of our
speeches, for words may be answered with words. Therefore, ye lords of
earth, listen ye all unto what I say. Whether I be slain like an animal
or burnt in a fire of grass and straw, thus do I distinctly place my
foot on the heads of ye all. Here is Govinda, that knoweth no
deterioration. Him have we worshipped. Let him who wisheth for speedy
death, summon to battle Madhava of dark hue and the wielder of the
discus and the mace; and falling enter into and mingle with the body of
this god!'"