Bhimasena Rebukes Duryodhana's Advisers

Duryodhana's advisers were old men, grief-stricken and miserable. They stood before Yudhishthira and begged. Bhimasena spoke. "They came here for a different purpose," he said, "but something else has transpired. The gandharvas have accomplished what we should have undertaken." He looked at the aged advisers — men who had served the Kuru court, who had watched the dice game, who had said nothing. "This is the outcome of the king listening to evil counsel and indulging in deceitful gambling. We have heard it said that others bring down the enemies of one who is impotent. The gandharvas have performed this extraordinary act before our eyes." His voice hardened. "We are fortunate that, in this world, there exist men who wish to do that which is pleasant for us. While we were seated, they have taken up our burden and made us happy. We have been suffering from the cold, the heat and the wind. We have become emaciated through our austerities. The evil-minded one was comfortable and wished to see us in this state." He gestured toward the captured king's followers. "Those who followed the conduct of that evil-souled Kouravya, the adherent of adharma — they are witnessing their own defeat. It is because adharma was performed that this instruction is now being given. I am telling you. You can see that the Kounteyas are not violent or evil." The words hung in the air. Bhimasena had said what he had been holding for years — that Duryodhana's suffering was not misfortune but consequence, that the gandharvas had simply done what the Pandavas had been wronged into not doing. But Yudhishthira raised his hand. "This is not the time for harsh words," the king said. The rebuke ended.