And beholding him returning (with his captive), the
princes began to lay waste Drupada's capital. Addressing them Arjuna said,
'This best of monarchs, Drupada, is a relative of the Kuru heroes.
Therefore, O Bhima, slay not his soldiers. Let us only give unto our
preceptor his fee.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'O king, thus prevented by Arjuna, the mighty
Bhimasena, though unsatiated with the exercise of battle, refrained from
the act of slaughter. And, O bull of the Bharata race, the princes then,
taking Drupada with them after having seized him on the field of battle
along with his friends and counsellors, offered him unto Drona. And Drona
beholding Drupada thus brought under complete control--humiliated and
deprived of wealth--remembered that monarch's former hostility and
addressing him said, 'Thy kingdom and capital have been laid waste by me.
But fear not for thy life, though it dependeth now on the will of thy foe.
Dost thou now desire to revive thy friendship (with me)?' Having said this,
he smiled a little and again said, 'Fear not for thy life, brave king! We,
Brahmanas, are ever forgiving. And, O bull among Kshatriyas, my affection
and love for thee have grown with me in consequence of our having sported
together in childhood in the hermitage. Therefore, O king, I ask for thy
friendship again. And as a boon (unasked), I give thee half the kingdom
(that was thine). Thou toldest me before that none who was not a king
could be a king's friend.
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