Yudhishthira Counsels Patience to Bhimasena

Bhimasena had spoken. The words had come out hot and rash — a plan to attack Duryodhana, to end the exile with a single stroke of violence. Yudhishthira, a tiger among men, a scorcher of enemies, heard his brother out. Then he sighed. He reflected. For an instant, he was silent. Then he replied. "O descendant of the Bharata lineage, mighty-armed one. It is as you say. You are wise with words. But listen to what I have to say. Great sins that are begun only out of courage bring pain. But an act that is well advised, well powered, well executed, and well planned — that is successful in its objective and is divinely auspicious. Out of your own strength and insolence, out of rashness, you have thought about a deed that needs to be done. But listen." He named them one by one. "Bhurishrava. Shalya. The valorous Jarasandha. Bhishma. Drona. Karna. Drona's valorous son. And Dhritarashtra's invincible sons, with Duryodhana at the forefront. All of them have their weapons ready. All of them are prepared to murder. The kings and lords of the earth whom we once suppressed have resorted to the Kaurava side and are affectionate toward them. They now seek to do good to Duryodhana, not to us. Their treasury is full. They have a large army. They will make every effort to protect what they have. All the Kaurava armies — with their sons, advisers, and soldiers — have been given riches and honours everywhere. The warriors have been specially honoured by Duryodhana. It is my certain view that they will give up their lives for him in battle." He paused. Then he spoke of the elders. "Though the conduct of Bhishma, the mighty-armed Drona, and the great-souled Kripa is equal — they are impartial in their hearts — they will certainly be driven by the royal morsels they eat. That is what I think. All of them are knowledgeable in the use of divine weapons. All of them are devoted to dharma. Therefore, no matter how precious their lives, they will give them up in battle. My view is that they cannot be vanquished — even by the gods and Vasava himself." And then he spoke of Karna. "Then there is maharatha Karna — intolerant, always angry, skilled in the knowledge of all weapons. He cannot be assailed, because he is covered with impenetrable armour. O Vrikodara, without first defeating in battle all these foremost of men, and without any allies, you cannot kill Duryodhana. I cannot go to sleep when I think of the lightness of hand of the suta's son. He is foremost among all those who handle the bow." Bhimasena was intolerant by nature. But he heard these words. And as the truth of them sank in, he became pensive and alarmed. He did not reply.