Bhishma counselled Dhritarashtra against opposing the combined might of Arjuna and Krishna. "

Karna, who boasts repeatedly that he will slay the Pandavas", said Bhishma, "is not equal to a sixteenth part of the Pandavas.

Your sons are heading for destruction, listening to his words. When Arjuna beat back your son's attack on Virata's capital and humbled his pride, what was Karna able to do?

When the gandharvas took your son prisoner, where did the invincible Karna bide himself? Was it not Arjuna who drove back the gandharvas?" Thus did Bhisma taunt Karna and warn the Kauravas.

"What the pater familias says is the only proper thing to do," said Dhritarashtra. "All wise men say, and I know, that it is best to seek peace. But what can I do? These  fools would go their own way, however loudly I protest."