THIRTEEN
The next morning, Duryodhana and Karna came with retinue to take Krishna to Dhritarashtra’s sabha. Krishna went in his chariot with Satyaki. Duryodhana and Karna followed in Duryodhana’s chariot and Kritavarman, who was also in the city, came after them. A legion of elephant and horse followed the chariots through the streets of Hastinapura, choked with the people turned out to catch a glimpse of the blue savior.
The Dark One was radiant, as he alighted at the palace steps and climbed them with Vidura and Satyaki on either side. Karna and Duryodhana went before Krishna, leading him solemnly into Dhri-tarashtra’s court. Kritavarman walked behind them. When Krishna entered the Kuru sabha, all the elders, including the blind king, Bheeshma and Drona rose. Once more Krishna was shown to the place of honor and just as he was about to sit, he saw Narada at the door to the sabha, with some other rishis. Bheeshma rose to welcome the sages.
Krishna waited for them to be seated and only then sat. Dusasana showed Satyaki to a majestic chair and his brother Vivimsati brought Kritavarman to another.
Next to Krishna sat Vidura; not far from them, to their left, Karna and Duryodhana shared a wide seat for two and Shakuni sat beside them. Every gaze in the sabha was riveted to the Avatara’s face. They gazed at him, helplessly and could not have their fill. He was more God than man today, but gentle and handsome. It was as if the Kuru sabha was elevated into a finer realm, because Krishna graced it. In his xanthic robe, he was like a blue mountain with the sun rising over it; and the kaus-tubha ruby on his breast was a gleaming secret.
The sabha sat staring raptly at him and he sat smiling at them. For a long moment, there was silence in that court; then, Krishna addressed Dhritarashtra.
“My lord, I have come to Hastinapura to prevent the deaths of all these kshatriyas. I have come to make peace between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. I am glad I have come at a time when most of what needs to be said has already been debated in this sabha. Everything is known and there is not much I have to add to the words of the wise.”
They listened to him entranced; there was that quality in his voice. “Since the most ancient days, the House of Kuru is a legend upon the earth. The world knows that yours is the oldest house in Bharatavarsha. Generations of Kuru kings have ruled vast kingdoms and they have all been renowned for their justice and their mercy.” He paused and looked around him; a slight smile still played on his face. “Dhritarashtra, it does not become you that you are the first king in your line to be so different from your sires.”
Dhritarashtra shivered in his throne. Krishna continued, “Your sons plunge down a blind alley of sin. They think nothing of fighting a murderous war in which millions shall die. It is for you to stop them. You are the king of the Kurus, my lord and not your son. You must stop this madness.
This is not the time for weakness and vacillation. You must assert yourself, as you should have done long ago. Having left it so long, it will be harder for you now. But it can still be done, if you assume the firmness that every king should have. The first step is to think kindly of your brother’s sons. Think of them not as enemies to be feared, but as your own children, your own soldiers who will make you lord of the earth. Unite this house again, Dhritarashtra, as it should have always been.
Already, there is no kingdom to rival this one. For Bheeshma protects it, Drona and Kripa, Karna, Vivimsati, Aswatthama, Jayadratha, Somadatta and Duryodhana. But just think what the glory of the House of Kuru would be if you added the names of the Pandavas and their sons to those: as it has never been before! If you can bring the Pandavas and the Kauravas together, your fame will be sung in heaven as well as the earth.
Yet, it seems you prefer to court shame and ruin, rather than glory. Tell me, Dhritarashtra, what will this war bring you except the death of your sons?” Now his voice was stern. “And the death of some millions of fighting men and of all these kshatriyas gathered here to perpetrate the madness your son has planned. You have everything to lose by this war and nothing to gain. Look at this court of dharma, defiled by this council met to plot a war between brother and brother, while its elders sit here and do nothing to stop the enormous sin. Never since the Kuru kingdom was founded, in time out of mind, has this sabha seen such shame. This is no sabha anymore, my lord, but a den of vice.
Do not take what I say lightly, because I speak with love. I say to you, return what is his to Yudhishtira. Bring back dharma to your kingdom, which yearns for it. If you don’t make the just choice, this land will be ruined past redemption and with it the world.”
He spoke so gravely that no one dared interrupt him. His words struck all of them deeply and what he said frightened them. At last, Dhritarashtra broke the silence, “Krishna, don’t you realize how helpless I am? I do not rule this land and what I say is of little consequence. My sons are the masters here and they have no regard for my wishes any more. If you can persuade Duryodhana and his brothers and Karna and Shakuni, who wield more power than I do, I will be grateful to you forever.
But I fear your task is hopeless. We have all tried to reason with Duryodhana, to no avail. Bheeshma has tried, Vidura and even Gandhari; and I have, too. He is stubborn and determined to sacrifice us all. Still, if you can succeed where the rest of us failed, no one will be more in your debt than I.”
Duryodhana sat sullen and fierce. Krishna turned to him kindly, “Listen to me, Duryodhana. You are a son of the noblest house in all Bharatavarsha. Why do you behave as if you were born in the streets? Why has your mind turned to such pettiness? What you mean to do will not cover you in honor, as you imagine; it will fetch you eternal infamy. Turn away from this folly, Kshatriya; resume your true nature. Forsake the hatred that consumes you from within. Be the good Duryodhana again, whom the world loves! Perhaps you think it is too late for you to turn back. No man ever falls so low that he is past redemption and least of all a prince with as generous a heart as you have.
This is the hour of an historic decision, Duryodhana. Do you want to be remembered as the man who destroyed the world, or the one who had the courage to save it? For it will take more courage to turn your face away from sin, than it will for you to be obstinate. Choose wisely, Duryodhana and be the bravest kshatriya of the Kuru line. Make your father and your grandfather happy, your gurus and your mother proud. Change the course of destiny; you still can.”
Duryodhana had grown pale and he sat stiller than ever. Krishna went on, his power deeply upon the sabha. “There are three kinds of men in this world, Duryodhana. There are the selfless ones, who seldom leave the path of dharma. Then there are those who seek their own benefit in whatever they do. Even if that is your nature, you should think wisely, of what will profit you. Death surely will not.
If you want to be king in Hastinapura, won’t it be better if you have the Pandavas’ support, rather than their enmity? If you make peace with him, Yudhishtira will crown you yuvaraja of this city; and after your father’s time, you will be king of the Kurus. The Pandavas will be content with Indraprastha and never be a threat to you. And with your cousins on your side, who else will dare challenge you?
Duryodhana’s face twitched in contempt; he exchanged a scornful smile with Karna. Krishna paused, then, his voice softer, said, “There is also the third kind of man. He lives to sin, because nothing else pleases him; his unnatural thirst is satisfied only with blood. Duryodhana, you are not that kind of man, are you? Cast off your old life as a snake does his skin. Emerge anew as a king of truth and make this age the brightest one in history. You hold the future of the world in your palm; only you can save it.”
Bheeshma cried, “Listen to him, Duryodhana, make a new beginning. I beg you! Do it in your mother’s name, for her sake.”
Drona urged, “Krishna speaks the truth, Duryodhana, this can be your moment of greatness. You can do this, my prince; your heart is big enough. Only the first step is hard, the rest will come easily.”
Vidura said, “If you don’t listen to wisdom, it is not yourself you will hurt most, but your mother and father. I pity them, that they will have to survive their eldest son and most likely, all their sons. Who will look after them in their dotage?”
Bheeshma begged him again and Drona as well. Duryodhana had not spoken a word, but only listened grimly to their united entreaty. Vidura said, “Duryodhana, the choice is so simple: between death and life. Why do you hesitate?”