After this clear duty is done, you may, if you like, return to the forest
and live a life of asceticism. It is not a sin' to kill by stratagem an enemy who has
resorted to stratagem. I have heard that the Atharvan Veda has incantations, which can
compress time and reduce its span.
If we could, by such means, squeeze thirteen years into thirteen days,
we would be perfectly justified in doing so-, and you will permit me on the fourteenth day
to kill Duryodhana."
Hearing these words of Bhima, Dharma- putra affectionately embraced him
and sought to restrain his impetuosity."Beloved brother, as soon as the period of
thirteen years is over, Arjuna, the hero, with the Gandiva, and yourself will fight and
kill Duryodhana. Be patient till then.
Duryodhana and his followers, who are sunk in sin, cannot escape. Be
assured of it." While the sorrow-stricken brothers were thus engaged in debate, the
great sage Brihadaswa came to the hermitage of the Pandavas and was received with the
customary honors.