Dhritarashtra Seeks Maitreya's Intervention

Dhritarashtra sat before Vyasa and acknowledged what he already knew. "O immensely wise sage! It is exactly as you say. I know this, and so do all the other lords of men. What you consider beneficial for the welfare of the Kurus was also pointed out to me by Vidura, Bhishma, and Drona." He had heard the same counsel from every wise voice in his court. His brother Vidura had warned him. Bhishma, the grandsire who had renounced everything for the dynasty, had spoken. Drona, the weapons master who trained both sides, had weighed in. They all said the same thing: restrain your son. Make peace. Dhritarashtra had not done it. Now he asked Vyasa for something specific: "If you have compassion for the Kouravas, teach my evil-souled son Duryodhana." Not himself. His son. As if the wisdom could be transmitted through a different channel — bypassing the father's own failure to act. Vyasa replied: "The illustrious rishi Maitreya has come to see you, after having spent time with the Pandava brothers. For the sake of bringing rightful peace to this lineage of yours, this great rishi will instruct your son Duryodhana. Whatever he says should be done without any hesitation. If the task is not done, he will curse your son in rage." The warning was clear. Maitreya was not a court counselor who could be ignored. He was a sage of immense power, and his words carried consequences. If Duryodhana refused to listen, the refusal itself would trigger something irreversible. Vyasa departed. The stage was set.