Maitreya Admonishes Duryodhana and Curses Him

Vyasa had barely left when Maitreya appeared. Dhritarashtra received him with full honor — gifts, water to wash his feet, every ritual due to a bull among sages. When the rishi had rested, the king asked his questions: Had the journey been comfortable? Were the five Pandava brothers well? Did they desire to spend their time in accordance with the agreement? Would fraternal affection among the Kurus continue? Maitreya answered each one. He had seen Yudhishthira in Kamyaka forest — matted hair, deerskins, living in a hermitage like an ascetic. Many sages had gathered around the great-souled king. And there, Maitreya said, he had heard about the blunder committed by Dhritarashtra's son and the evil course of action adopted through the gambling match. "I have therefore come to you out of affection for the Kouravas. When you and Bhishma are still alive, it is not proper that your sons should act against each other. You yourself are the central pillar, in both punishing and rewarding. Why did you then ignore this terrible evil that has now arisen? What happened in the sabha was like the behavior of dasyus (bandits). You will no longer be able to shine in an assembly of ascetics." Then he turned to Duryodhana. The illustrious rishi spoke in soft tones: "O mighty-armed Duryodhana! O supreme among eloquent ones! Listen. The words I utter are for your welfare. Do not fight with the Pandavas. Do what is good for you, for the Pandavas, for the Kurus, and for the world." He laid out the facts. The Pandavas were tigers among men — brave warriors, valorous in war. Each had the strength of ten thousand elephants, as firm as the vajra (Indra's thunderbolt). They followed the vow of truth. They had killed rakshasas who could assume any form at will — Hidimba, Baka, and Kirmira. When the Pandavas left for the forest, Kirmira had blocked their path, immobile as a mountain peak. Bhima killed him like an animal, the way a tiger kills small animals. "Look at the royal conquest," Maitreya continued, "where the mighty archer Jarasandha, with the strength of ten thousand elephants, was killed in battle by Bhima. They have Vasudeva as their relative and Parshata (Dhrishtadyumna) as a brother-in-law. Which man, susceptible to old age and death, would dare confront them in battle? That is the reason you should strive for peace with the Pandavas. Listen to my words. Otherwise, you will expose yourself to death." Duryodhana smiled. He drew patterns on the ground with his feet. With his arms, he slapped his thighs — those thighs like the trunks of elephants. The evil-minded one said nothing. He stood there with his head slightly bent, ignoring the sage entirely. Maitreya's eyes turned red with anger. As if decreed by destiny, the sage prepared to curse him. He touched the air and spoke: "Since you ignored me and since you did not find my words attractive, you will soon reap the fruits of your insolence. In the great war that will result from the enmity created by you, the powerful Bhima will smash your thigh with the blow of a club." Dhritarashtra pleaded. He begged the sage to undo it. Maitreya softened: "O king! It is only if your son makes peace that what I have said won't happen. But if the opposite occurs, it will happen." The king then asked how Kirmira had been killed by Bhima. Maitreya refused to answer — "I will not tell you, since you are intolerant and my words find no favour with your son. After I have left, Vidura will tell you everything." He departed as he had come. Duryodhana left the place, anxious about the killing of Kirmira.