INDRAPRASTHA

Therefore, there is only one way left for us, and that is to attack them before they grow stronger and other friends join them. We should make a surprise attack on the Pandavas and Drupada before Krishna joins them with his Yadava army.

We should take the heroic way out of our difficulty, as befits kshatriyas. Trickery will prove useless." Thus spoke Karna. Dhritarashtra could not make up his mind. The king, therefore, sent for Bhishma and Drona and consulted them.

Bhishma was very happy when he heard that the Pandavas were alive and well as guests of King Drupada of Panchala, whose daughter they had married. Consul- ted on the steps to be taken, Bhishma, wise with the ripe knowledge of right and wrong, replied:

" The proper course will be to welcome them back and give them half the kingdom. The citizens of the state also desire such a settlement. This is the only way to maintain the dignity of our family. There is much loose talk not credit able to you about the fire incident at the wax house. All blame,' even all suspicion, will be set at rest if you invite the Pandavas and hand over half kingdom to them. This is my advice."

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