Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/474



Vaisampayana said. "Hearing these various speeches, Dhritarashtra said, 'The learned Bhishma, the son of Santanu, and the illustrious Rishi Drona, and thyself also (O Viduta), have said the truth and what also is most beneficial to me! Indeed, as those mighty car-warriors-the heroic sons of Kunti are the children of Pandu, so are they, without doubt, my children according to the ordinance. And as my sons are en. titled to this kingdom, so are the sons of Pandu certainly entitled to it. Therefore, hie chee, O Kshatri, and bring hither the Pandavas along with their mother, treating them with affectionate consideration. O thou of Bharata's race, bring also Krishna of celestial beauty along with them. From sheer good fortune the sons of Pritha are alive ; and from good fortune alone those mighty car-warriors have obtained the daughter of Drupada ! It is from good fortune alone that our strength hath increased, and it is from good fortune alone that Purochana bath perished. O thou of great splendour it is from good fortune that my great grief hath been killed !"

Vaisampayana continued. Then Vidura, at the command of Dhritarashtra, repaired, O Bharata, unto Yajnasena and the Pandavas. And he repaired thither carrying with him numerous jewels and various kinds of wealth for Draupadi and the Pandavas and Yajnasena also. Arrived at Drupada's abode, Vidura conversant with every rule of morality and deep in every science, properly accosted the monarch and waited upon bim. Drupada received Vidura in proper form and they both enquired after each other's welfare. Vidura then saw there the Pandavas and Vasudeva. As soon as he saw them he embraced them from affection and enquired after their well-being. The Pandavas also along with Vasudeva, in due order, worshipped Vidura of immeasurable intelligence. But Vidura, O king, in the name of Dhritarashtra repeatedly enquired with great affection after their welfare. He then gave. O monarch, unto the Pandavas and Kunti and Draupadi, and unto Drupada and Drupada's sons, the gems and various kinds of wealth that the Kauravas had sent through bim. Possessed of immeasurable intelligence, the modest Vidura then, in the presence of the Pandavas and Keshava, addressed the well-behaved Drupada thus!

"With thy ministers and sons, O monarch, listen to what I say ! King Dhritarashtra, with ministers, sons, and friends, hath with a joyous heart, O king, repeatedly enquired after thy welfare! And, O monarch,