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is so foolish he does not see beyond his own vanity, or realize with whom he is dealing. They are not just his cousins; they are Devaputras! Why, if he wanted to, Arjuna could burn up the earth with his Gan-diva. But Duryodhana does not understand this. Bheema could scatter the Kuru army as the wind does a pile of grass. Nakula and Sahadeva are hardly less than Arjuna; they will hunt our men like eagles do sparrows.”
    Another thought struck the king and he groaned. “Sanjaya, with Krishna on their side, what army of heaven or earth can withstand the Pandavas? Doesn’t Duryodhana know who Krishna is? That he dares fight against him. Ah, my son’s heart is as blind as his father’s eyes are.
    Duryodhana thinks he has eleven aksauhinis against the Pandavas’ seven. His friend Karna assures him that greater numbers will win the war. But I know better and Bheeshma and Drona know better. Go to Yudhishtira, my good Sanjaya and tell him his uncle wants peace. Tell Krishna, also, that Dhritarashtra sues abjectly for peace. Tell Krishna to ask Yudhishtira to accept the peace I offer him. Yudhishtira will always listen to what he says. Old friend, this is the most critical mission of your life. God go with you.”
    And the king gave Sanjaya a message to take to his nephews.
    Sanjaya arrived in Upaplavya and Yudhishtira received him affectionately. When all the kings gathered in the sabha of that city to hear the message Sanjaya brought from Dhritarashtra, Yudhishtira said, “What news of our elders in Hastinapura, Sanjaya? Does our uncle remember us? And our Pitama? Do our cousins think kindly of us? Sanjaya, do you bring good news?”
    Sanjaya said solemnly, “In Hastinapura, they do, all, surely remember you, Yudhishtira. My lord Dhritarashtra asks kindly after your welfare, your brothers’ and your wife’s. Your virtue has not been forgotten, or Arjuna’s prowess and Bheema’s strength. Nakula and Sahadeva are not forgotten, either, or their valor.”
    Yudhishtira said, “Does Duryodhana remember Chitrasena and how my brother Arjuna rescued him from the gandharva?” Then, suddenly, his eyes were moist. “But, Sanjaya, I know that one good turn is hardly enough to achieve love between our cousins and ourselves. My friend, what effort have I spared to make peace with Duryodhana? How easy it would have been for me to attack Hastinapura, long ago, or to allow Chitrasena to kill my cousin. Alas, Duryodhana will not think of it like that, he is so deranged with greed and envy.”
    Sanjaya said, “My lord, in the court of Hastinapura there are both good and evil men who surround Duryodhana and he is our virtual king after the Vaishnava yagna. But Dhritarashtra would be a fool if he were against you. He grieves for you and he has not forgotten your strength. During all the years of your exile, unknown to you, Dhritarashtra asked constantly after your whereabouts and your wellbeing. He grieved deeply over what happened.
    None of us can say what the future holds. Who would have thought the great Yudhishtira, who performed the Rajasuya yagna, would spend thirteen years in the forest like a rishi? Dhritarashtra says you are a man of perfect dharma. He depends on you to find a solution to the crisis between yourself and your cousins. He prays there will be no war between the sons of Dhritarashtra and the sons of Pandu. The king has conferred with his sabha and he sends you this message through me. Shall I repeat the words of my king?”
    Yudhishtira asked him to, in that crowded court. Sanjaya began, “‘I, Dhritarashtra, king of the Kurus, send my greetings to my sons Yudhishtira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. I greet my dear Krishna, Satyaki, Chekitana, Virata and Drupada. I hope that Drishtadyumna and Draupadi will also hear a message I send through Sanjaya.’“
    All those addressed were present and many more, besides. Sanjaya went on, “‘I have known you since you were a boy, Yudhishtira and I know you will never