The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 208

Section CCVIII. *( Viduragamana Parva continued. )* Vaisampayana said, "Hearing these various speeches, Dhrita-rashtra spoke, saying, 'The learned Bhisma son of Shantanu, and the illustrious Rishi Drona, and thyself also (O Vidura), have said the truth and what also is most beneficial to me. Indeed, as those mighty charioteers—the heroic sons of Kunti—are the children of Pandu, so are they, without doubt, my children according to the ordinance. And as my sons are entitled to this kingdom, so are the sons of Pandu, without boubt, entitled to it. Therefore, hie thee, O Kshatta, and bring hither the Pandavas along with their mother, treating them with affectionate consideration. And, O thou of the Bharata race, bring also Krishnā of celestial beauty along with them. From sheer good fortune the sons of Prithā are alive; and from good fortunate alone those mighty charioteers have obtained the daughter of Drupada! It is from good fortune alone that our strength hath increased, and it is from good fortunate alone that Purochana hath perished. And, O thou of great splendour, it is from good fortune that my great grief hath been dispelled.'" Vaisampayana continued, "Then Vidura, at the command of Dhrita-rashtra, repaired, O Bhārata, unto Yajna-sena and the Pandavas. And he repaired thither, carrying with him numerous jewels and various kinds of wealth for Draupadi and the Pandavas and Yajna-sena also. And arrived at Drupada's abode, Vidura, conversant with every rule of morality and deep in every science, properly accosted the monarch and waited beside him. And Drupada also received Vidura in proper form and they then both enquired after each other's welfare. And Vidura then saw there the Pandavas and Vāsudeva. And as soon as he saw them he embraced them from affection and enquired after their welfare. And the Pandavas also, with Vāsudeva, in due order worshipped Vidura of immeasurable intelligence. But Vidura, O king, in the name of Dhrita-rashtra repeatedly enquired with great affection after their welfare. And he then gave, O monarch, unto the Pandavas and Kunti and Draupadi, and unto Drupada and Drupada's sons, the gems and various kinds of wealth that the Kauravas had sent them through him. And possessed of immeasurable intelligence, the modest Vidura then, in the presence of the Pandavas and Keshava, addressed the well-behaved Drupada thus;— 'With thy ministers and sons, O monarch, listen to what I say! King Dhrita-rashtra, with his ministers, sons, and friends, hath with a joyous heart, O king, repeatedly enquired after thy welfare! And, O monarch, he hath been highly pleased in consequence of this alliance with thee! So also, O king, Bhisma of great wisdom, the son of Shantanu, with all the Kurus, enquireth of thy welfare, in every respect. And Drona also of great wisdom, the son of Bharadwaja and thy dear friend, embracing thee in imagination, enquireth of thy happiness. And, O king of Panchalas, Dhrita-rashtra and all the Kurus, in consequence of this alliance with thee, regard themselves supremely blest. And, O Yajna-sena, the acquisition of this alliance with thee hath made them happier than if they had acquired a new kingdom. Knowing all this, O monarch, permit the Pandavas to revisit their ancestral kingdom. The Kurus are exceedingly eager to behold the sons of Pandu! These bulls among men have been absent long (from their kingdom). They as well as Prithā must be very eager to behold their city. And all the Kuru ladies and the citizens and our sujects are eagerly waiting to behold Krishnā and Panchala princes. This, therefore, is my opinion, O monarch, that thou shouldst, without delay, permit the Pandavas to go thither with their wife! And after the illustrious Pandavas, O king, have received thy permission to go thither, I shall send information unto Dhrita-rashtra by quick messengers. Then, O king, will the Pandavas set out with Kunti and Krishnā.'" Thus ends the two hundred and eighth Section in the Vidurāgamana of the Adi Parva.