Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/458

possessed of every mark of good fortune. Therefore, O king, protect thyself from the sons of Pandu! O king, the sons of Pandu are stronger than their cousins (thy sons): therefore, O thou oppressor of all foes, I tell thee plainly what thou shouldst do. Listen to it, O king, with thy children, and having listened to it, exert yourself (to do the needful). O king, act in such a way that there may not be any fear unto thee from the Pandavas. Indeed, adopt such measures in consonance with the science of policy that thou mayst not have to grieve in the future.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having delivered himself thus, Kanika returned to his abode, while the Kuru king Dhrita-rashtra became pensive and melancholy."

Thus ends the hundred and forty-second Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, "Then the son of Suvala (Sakuni), king Duryodhana, Dush-shasana, and Karna, in consultation with each other, formed an evil conspiracy. With the sanction of Dhrita-rashtra the king of the Kurus, they resolved to burn to death Kunti and her (five) sons. But the wise Vidura, capable of reading the heart by external signs, ascertained the intention of those wicked wights by observing their countenances alone. Then the sinless Vidura, of soul enlightened by true knowledge, and devoted to the good of the Pandavas, came to the conclusion that Kunti with her children should fly away from her foes. And providing for that purpose a boat furnished with engined and flags and strong enough to withstand both winds and waves, he addressed Kunti and said, 'This Dhrita-rashtra hath been born for destroying the fame and offspring of the (Kuru) race. Of wicked soul, he is about to cast off eternal virtue! O blessed one, I have kept ready on the stream a boat capable of withstanding both winds and waves. By it escape thou with thy children from the net that Death hath spread around ye!'