He cared very little for the enjoyments of the
world, but devotedly gave everything unto me, even the kingdom. His son is
as much devoted to virtue as he, and is possessed of every accomplishment.
Of world-wide fame, he is again the favourite of the people. He is
possessed of allies; how can we by force exile him from his ancestral
kingdom? The counsellors and soldiers (of the state) and their sons and
grandsons have all been cherished and maintained by Pandu. Thus benefited
of old by Pandu, shall not, O child, the citizens slay us with all our
friends and relatives now on account of Yudhishthira?'
"Duryodhana replied, 'What thou sayest, O father, is perfectly true. But
in view of the evil that is looming on the future as regards thyself, if
we conciliate the people with wealth and honours, they would assuredly
side with us for these proofs of our power. The treasury and the ministers
of state, O king, are at this moment under our control. Therefore, it
behoveth thee now to banish, by some gentle means, the Pandavas to the
town of Varanavata; O king, when the sovereignty shall have been vested in
me, then, O Bharata, may Kunti with her children come back from that
place.'
"Dhritarashtra replied, 'This, O Duryodhana, is the very thought existing
in my mind. But from its sinfulness I have never given expression to it.
Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Kshattri, nor Gautama (Kripa) will ever
sanction the exile of the Pandavas. In their eyes, O dear son, amongst the
Kurus ourselves and the Pandavas are equal.
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