DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0351
CHAPTER XVII
Defiance of Duryodhana
The Council at Virata—Speeches of Kings and Princes—Army to- be
raised for the Pandavas—Krishna's Attitude—His Army on one side and
Himself on the other—Ambassador visits Kauravas—Pandavas invited to
Hastinapur—A Deadlock—Krishna visits Hastinapur—Elders counsel Peace
—Duryodhana refuses to Yield—Plot to seize Krishna—A Revelation of
Divine Power—Krishna's Interview with Kama—Pritha informs Karna of
his Birth—Kama refuses to desert Duryodhana—His Resolution and Promise.
Ere the wedding guests departed from Virata, aftei
merrymaking and song and dance, the elders and princes
and chieftains assembled in the council chamber. Dru-
pada was there with his son, and Krishna with his brother
Balarama and Satyaki his kinsman, and all the Pandava
brethren were there also, and many others both valiant
and powerful. Bright and numerous as the stars were
the gems that glittered on the robes of the mighty
warriors. For a time they spake kindly greetings one
to another, and jested and made merry. Krishna sat
pondering in silence, and at length he arose and spake,
saying:
"O rajahs and princes, may your fame endure tor
ever! Thou knowest well that Yudhishthira was de-
prived of his kingdom by the evil trickster Shakuni.
He hath endured twelve years of exile, and hath served,
like his brethren, as a humble menial for a further year in
the palace of the Rajah of Virata. After long suffering
Yudhishthira desires peace; his heart is without anger,
270
Defiance of Duryodhana
The Council at Virata—Speeches of Kings and Princes—Army to- be
raised for the Pandavas—Krishna's Attitude—His Army on one side and
Himself on the other—Ambassador visits Kauravas—Pandavas invited to
Hastinapur—A Deadlock—Krishna visits Hastinapur—Elders counsel Peace
—Duryodhana refuses to Yield—Plot to seize Krishna—A Revelation of
Divine Power—Krishna's Interview with Kama—Pritha informs Karna of
his Birth—Kama refuses to desert Duryodhana—His Resolution and Promise.
Ere the wedding guests departed from Virata, aftei
merrymaking and song and dance, the elders and princes
and chieftains assembled in the council chamber. Dru-
pada was there with his son, and Krishna with his brother
Balarama and Satyaki his kinsman, and all the Pandava
brethren were there also, and many others both valiant
and powerful. Bright and numerous as the stars were
the gems that glittered on the robes of the mighty
warriors. For a time they spake kindly greetings one
to another, and jested and made merry. Krishna sat
pondering in silence, and at length he arose and spake,
saying:
"O rajahs and princes, may your fame endure tor
ever! Thou knowest well that Yudhishthira was de-
prived of his kingdom by the evil trickster Shakuni.
He hath endured twelve years of exile, and hath served,
like his brethren, as a humble menial for a further year in
the palace of the Rajah of Virata. After long suffering
Yudhishthira desires peace; his heart is without anger,
270