Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/460

body) in strength and Arjuna highly accomplished in arms, became pensive and sad. Then Karna the offspring of the Sun and Sakuni the son of Suvala endeavoured by various means to compass the death of the Pandavas. The Pandavas too counteracted all those contrivance one after another, and in obedience to the counsels of Vidura, never spoke of them afterwards. Then the citizens, beholding the sons of Pandu possessed of all accomplishments, began, O Bharata, to speak of them in all places of public resort. And assembled in courtyards and other places of gathering, they talked of the eldest son of Pandu (Yudhish-thira) as possessed of the qualification for ruling the kingdom. And they said, 'Dhrita-rashtra, though possessed of the eye of knowledge, being (born) blind, obtained not the kingdom before. How can he (therefore) become King now? Then Bhisma, the son of Shantanu, of rigid vows and devoted to truth, having formerly relinquished the sovereignty, would never accept it now. We shall, therefore, now install (on the throne) with proper ceremonies the eldest of the Pandavas endued with youth, accomplished in war, versed in the Vedas, and truthful and kind. Worshipping Bhisma the son of Shantanu and Dhrita-rashtra conversant with the rules of virtue, he will certainly maintain both the former and the latter with his children in every kind of enjoyment.'

"The wretched Duryodhana, hearing these words of the prating partisans of Yudhish-thira, became very much distressed. And afflicted deeply, the wicked prince could not put up with those speeches. Inflamed with jealously he went unto Dhrita-rashtra, and finding him alone he saluted him with reverence, and distressed at (the sight of) the partiality of the citizens for Yudhish-thira, he addressed the monarch and said, 'O father, I have heard the prating citizens utter words of ill omen. Passing thee by, and Bhisma too, they desire the son of Pandu to be their king! Bhisma will sanction this, for he will not rule the kingdom! It seems, therefore, that the citizens are endeavouring to inflict a great injury on us! Pandu obtained of old the ancestral kingdom by virtue of his own accomplishments. Thou, from blindness,