Dhritarashtra Fears the Pandava Alliance

Ambika's son Dhritarashtra let out a deep and hot sigh. He summoned suta Sanjaya and spoke. "The two Pandavas, Nakula and Sahadeva, are greatly illustrious sons of the gods and are like the king of the gods in their resplendence. They are steadfast in battle, can fight from a distance and have resolution. Their hands are swift and they are steadfast in their anger. They are always firm and speedy. When they advance in battle with Bhima and Arjuna at the forefront, they will be established with the valour of lions and will be as invincible as the Ashvins." He paused. The weight of what he was describing pressed down on him. "O Sanjaya! I do not see any remnants of my soldiers left. Those two sons of the gods are maharathas (great warriors) and cannot be repulsed in battle. Their anger at Droupadi's oppression will not be assuaged." He continued, cataloguing the forces arrayed against his house. The Vrishnis were great archers. The Panchalas were greatly energetic. They were protected in battle by Vasudeva, who never wavered from the truth. The Parthas would burn down the armies of his sons. "O son of a suta! Led by Rama and Krishna, when the Vrishnis advance in battle, even the mountains will not be able to withstand the force. In their midst, is the mighty archer Bhima, whose valour is terrible. He will roam around with an iron club that kills all warriors. The kings on my side will not be able to tolerate the roar of Gandiva, as loud as thunder, or the force of Bhima's club." Then Dhritarashtra said something that sounded like an epitaph for his own judgment. "It is then that I will remember the words of my well-wishers, which should have been remembered, but which I did not heed earlier because I was obedient to Duryodhana."