Section CCVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing these various speeches, Dhritarashtra said, The learned Bhishma, the son of Santanu, and the illustrious Rishi Drona, and thyself also (O Vidura), 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 entitled to this kingdom, so are the sons of Pandu certainly entitled to it.

Therefore, hasten to bring hither the Pandavas along with their mother, treating them with affectionate consideration.

O you 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 has increased, and it is from good fortune alone that Purocana has perished.

O you of great splendour, it is from good fortune that my great grief has 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 him. 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 him.

Possessed of immeasurable intelligence, the modest Vidura then, in the presence of the Pandavas and Keshava, addressed the well-behaved Drupada thus:

"With your ministers and sons, O monarch, listen to what I say. King Dhritarashtra, with ministers, sons, and friends, has with a joyous heart, O king, repeatedly enquired after your welfare.

And, O monarch, he has been highly pleased with this alliance with you.

So also, O king, Bhishma of great wisdom, the son of Santanu, with all the Kurus, enquired after your welfare in every respect. Drona also of great wisdom the son of Bharadvaja and your dear friend, embracing you mentally, enquired of your happiness.

And, O king of Pancalas, Dhritarashtra and all the Kurus, in consequence of this alliance with you regard themselves supremely blest.

O Yajnasena, the establishment of this alliance with you has made them happier than if they had acquired a new kingdom.

Knowing all this, O monarch, permit the Pandavas to re-visit their ancestral kingdom. The Kurus are exceedingly eager to behold the sons of Pandu. These bulls among men have been long absent (from their kingdom). They as well as Pritha must be very eager to behold their city. And all the Kuru ladies and the citizens and our subjects are eagerly waiting to behold Krishna the Pancala Princess.

This, therefore, is my opinion, O monarch, that you should, without delay, permit the Pandavas to go thither with their wife. And after the illustrious Pandavas, O king, will have received your permission to go thither, I shall send information unto Dhritarashtra by quick messengers.

Then, O king, will the Pandavas set out with Kunti and Krishna.'"