ANY ray of hope there might have been of a peaceful settlement when Krishna went to Hastinapura was extinguished when he returned and narrated what happened. Kunti was overwhelmed with grief when she learnt that it was to be war to the death.

"How can I" reflected Kunti, "give my thoughts tongue and say to my sons, ‘Bear the insults. Let us not ask for any territory and let us avoid war’? How can my sons accept what is contrary to Kshatriya tradition?"

"At the same time," thought she, "what can be gained by mutual killings in the war and what happiness attained after the destruction of the race? How shall I face his dilemma?" Thus was ,he tormented by the prospect of wholesale destruction on the one hand and the claims of Kshatriya honour on the other.

"How can my sons defeat the mighty three combined, Bhishma, Drona and Karna? They are warriors who have never yet met defeat. When I think of them, my mind trembles. I do not worry about the others.