The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 203

Section CCIII. *( Viduragamana Parva continued. )* Vaisampayana said, "Dhrita-rashtra replied, saying, 'I desire to do exactly what you would receommend. But I wish not to inform Vidura of it even by a change of muscle. It was, therefore, O son, that I was applauding the Pandavas in Vidura's presence, so that he might not know even by a sign what is in my mind. Now that Vidura hath gone away, this is the time, O Suyodhana, for telling me what thou hast hit upon, and what, O Rādheya, thou too hast hit upon!' "Duryodhana said, 'Let us, O father, by means of trusted and skilful and adroit Brahmanas, seek to produce dissensions between the sons of Kunti and those of Mādri. Or let king Drupada and his sons, and all his ministers of state be tempted by presents of large wealth, so that he may abandon the cause of Yudhish-thira, the son of Kunti. Or let our spies induce the Pandavas to settle in Drupada's dominions, by describing to them, separately, the inconveniences of residing in Hastinapore, so that, separated from us, they may permanently settle in Panchala. Or let some clever spies, full of resources, sowing the seeds of dissension among the Pandavas, make them jealous of one another. Or let them incite Krishnā against her husbands. She has many lords and this will not present any difficulties. Or let some seek to make the Pandavas themselves dissatisfied with Krishnā, in which case Krishnā also will be dissatisfied with them. Or let, O king, some clever spies repairing thither, secretly compass the death of Bhima-sena. Bhima is the strongest of them all. Relying on Bhima alone, the Pandavas used not to regard us of old. Bhima is fierce and brave and the (sole) refuge of the Pandavas. If he is slain, the others will be deprived of strength and energy. Deprived of Bhima, who is their sole refuge, they will not longer strive to regard their kingdom. Arjuna, O king, invincible in battle, if Bhima protecteth him from behind. Without Bhima, Arjuna is not equal to even a fourth part of Rādheya. Indeed, O king, the Pandavas conscious of their own feebleness without Bhima and of our strength would not really strive to recover the kingdom. Or, if, O monarch, coming hither, they prove docile and obedient to us, we would then seek to repress them by according to the dictates of political science (as explained by Kanika). Or we may tempt them by means of handsome girls, upon which the princess of Panchala will get annoyed with them. Or, O Rādheya, let messengers be despatched for bringing them hither, so that, when arrived, we may through trusted agents, by some of the above methods, cause them to be slain. Strive, O father, to employ any of these (various) methods that may appear to thee faultless. Time passeth! Till their confidence in king Drupada—that bull amongst kings—is established we may succeed, O monarch, to encounter them. But after their confidence hath been established in Drupada, we should fail. These; O father are the views entertained by me for the discomfiture of the Pandavas. Judge, whether they be good or bad! What, O Karna, dost thou think!'" Thus ends the two hundred and third Section in the Vidurāgamana of the Adi Parva.