Section VIII

"Vyasa said,

'O wise Dhritarashtra, hear what I say! I will tell you that which is for the great good of all the Kauravas! O you of mighty arms, it has not pleased me that the Pandavas have gone to the forest dishonestly defeated (at dice) by Duryodhana and others! O Bharata, on the expiration of the thirteenth year, recollecting all their woes, they may shower death-dealing weapons, even like virulent poison, upon the Kauravas!

Why does your sinful son of wicked heart, ever inflamed with ire, seek to slay the sons of Pandu for the sake of their kingdom? Let the fool be restrained; let your son remain quiet! In attempting to slay the Pandavas in exile, he will only lose his own life. You are as honest as the wise Vidura, or Bhishma, or ourselves, or Kripa, or Drona, O you of great wisdom, dissension with one’s own kin are forbidden, sinful and reprehensible!

Therefore, O king, it behoves you to desist from such acts! And, O Bharata, Duryodhana looks with such jealousy towards the Pandavas that great harm would be the consequence, if you didst not interfere. Or let this wicked son of thine, O monarch, along and unaccompanied, himself go to the forest and live with the sons of Pandu. For then, if the Pandavas, from association, feel an attachment for Duryodhana, then, O king of men, good fortune may be thine. (This, however, may not be)!

For it has been heard that one’s congenital nature leaves him not till death. But what do Bhishma and Drona and Vidura think? What also dost you think? That which is beneficial should be done while there is time, else your purposes will be unrealised.'"