(Viduragamana Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'After Bhishma had concluded, Drona spoke, saying, "O
king Dhritarashtra, it hath been heard by us that friends summoned for
consultation should always speak what is right, true, and conductive to
fame. O sire, I am of the same mind in this matter with the illustrious
Bhishma. Let a share of the kingdom be given unto the Pandavas. This is
eternal virtue. Send, O Bharata, unto Drupada without loss of time some
messenger of agreeable speech, carrying with him a large treasure for the
Pandavas. And let the man go unto Drupada carrying costly presents for
both the bridegrooms and the bride, and let him speak unto that monarch of
thy increase of power and dignity arising from this new alliance with him.
And, O monarch, let the man know also that both thyself and Duryodhana
have become exceedingly glad in consequence of what hath happened. Let him
say this repeatedly unto Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna. And let him speak
also about the alliance as having been exceedingly proper, and agreeable
unto thee, and of thyself being worthy of it. And let the man repeatedly
propitiate the sons of Kunti and those of Madri (in proper words). And at
thy command, O king, let plenty of ornaments of pure gold be given unto
Draupadi. And let, O bull of Bharata's race, proper presents be given unto
all the sons of Drupada. Let the messenger then propose the return of the
Pandavas to Hastinapura. After the heroes will have been permitted (by
Drupada), to come hither, let Duhsasana and Vikarna go out with a handsome
train to receive them. And when they will have arrived at Hastinapura, let
those foremost of men be received with affection by thee. And let them
then be installed on their paternal throne, agreeably to the wishes of the
people of the realm. This, O monarch of Bharata's race, is what I think
should be thy behaviour towards the Pandavas who are to thee even as thy
own sons."'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'After Drona had ceased, Karna spake again, "Both
Bhishma and Drona have been pampered with wealth that is thine and favours
conferred by thee! They are also always regarded by thee as thy trusted
friends! What can therefore be more amusing than that they both should
give thee advice which is not for thy good? How can the wise approve that
advice which is pronounced good by a person speaking with wicked intent
but taking care to conceal the wickedness of his heart? Indeed, in a
season of distress, friends can neither benefit nor injure. Every one's
happiness or the reverse dependeth on destiny. He that is wise and he that
is foolish, he that is young (in years) and he that is old, he that hath
allies and he that hath none, all become, it is seen everywhere, happy or
unhappy at times. It hath been heard by us that there was, of old, a king
by name Amvuvicha. Having his capital at Rajagriha, he was the king of all
the Magadha chiefs. He never attended to his affairs. All his exertion
consisted in inhaling the air. All his affairs were in the hands of his
minister. And his minister, named Mahakarni, became the supreme authority
in the state. Regarding himself all powerful, he began to disregard the
king. And the wretch himself appropriated everything belonging unto the
king, his queens and treasures and sovereignty. But the possession of all
these, instead of satisfying his avarice, only served to inflame him the
more. Having appropriated everything belonging to the king, he even
coveted the throne. But it hath been heard by us that with all his best
endeavours he succeeded not in acquiring the kingdom of the monarch, his
master, even though the latter was inattentive to business and content
with only breathing the air. What else can be said, O king, than that
monarch's sovereignty was dependent on destiny? If, therefore, O king,
this kingdom be established in thee by destiny, it will certainly continue
in thee, even if the whole world were to become thy enemy! If, however,
destiny hath ordained otherwise, howsoever mayest thou strive, it will not
last in thee! O learned one, remembering all this, judge of the honesty or
otherwise of thy advisers. Ascertain also who amongst them are wicked and
who have spoken wisely and well."'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Karna, Drona replied, "As
thou art wicked it is evident thou sayest so in consequence of the
wickedness of thy intent. It is for injuring the Pandavas that thou
findest fault with us. But know, O Karna, what I have said is for the good
of all and the prosperity of the Kuru race. If thou regardest all this as
productive of evil, declare thyself what is for our good. If the good
advice I have given be not followed, I think the Kurus will be
exterminated in no time."'"