
Vaishampayana said: -
1. Having heard these words of his son and also all that Kanika had said, the king possessed of the eye of knowledge.
2. Dhritarastra, became afflicted with sorrow and his mind was full of misgivings. Then Duryodhana, Karna, the son of Subala Sakuni.
3. Dushasana, these four held a consultation together. Then Duryodhana spoke thus to the king Dhritarastra.
4. “Send the Pandavas by some contrivance to the city of Varanavata. Then we will have no fear of them.”
5. Dhritarastra having heard these words of his son, reflected for a moment and then spoke to Duryodhana
6. “Pandu was ever devoted to virtue; he always behaved dutifully towards all his relatives but particularly towards me.
7. He cared not for food or dress or the enjoyments of the world, he was devoted to me and gave me everything even the kingdom.
8. His son (Yudhisthira) is as much devoted to virtue as he was; he is possessed of every accomplishment; he is illustrious; he is the favourite of the people.
9. How can we exile him by force from the kingdom of his fore-fathers, specially as he possesses allies?
10. The counsellors and the soldiers and their sons and grandsons, all were specially cherished and maintained by Pandu.
11. They being thus formerly benefited by Pandu, O son, why should not the people of the city kill us all with our relatives and friends for the sake of Yudhisthira?
Duryodhana said: -
12-13. O father, what you say is perfectly true. (But) on account of the evil that is likely in store for us in the future, we think we must conciliate the people by bestowing wealth and honours. Thus they would surely side with us for this proof of our power. O king, the ministers and the treasury are now under our control.
14. Therefore, you should banish the Pandavas to the city of Varanavata by some gentle means.
15. O king, when I shall be installed as king, then, O descendant of Bharata, Kunti with her son may again come back.
Dhritarastra said: -
16. O Duryodhana, this is the very thought that exists in my mind, but from its sinfulness, I could not give it out.
17. Neither Bhisma, nor Drona, nor Khattwa (Vidura), nor Gautama, (Kripa) will ever sanction the banishment of the sons of Kunti.
18. O son, in their eyes we (Kurus) and the Pandavas are equal. Those wise and virtuous men will make no difference between us.
19. O son, (if we do this), why should we not deserve death at the hands of the Kurus and of those illustrious men (Bhisma and others), nay of the whole world?
Duryodhana said: -
20. Bhisma is always neutral; the son of Drona (Ashwathama) is in my side. There is nc doubt Drona will also be in that side in which his son will be.
21. The son of Saradwatta, Kripa, will surely be on the side in which these two will be. He will never abandon Drona and his nephew (sister’s son, Ashwathama).
22. Khattwa (Vidura) is dependent on us for his livelihood, although he is covertly on the side of the enemy (the Pandavas). He alone can do us no harm, (even) if he sides the Pandavas.
23. (Therefore) without any fear, exile the sons of Pandu with their mother to Varanavata. Take such steps as they may go there this very day.
24. Extinguish by this act the grief that consumes me like a fire, that robs me of my sleep and that princes my heart like a terrible dart.
Thus ends the hundred and forty-fourth chapter, the consultation of Duryodhana, in the Jatugriha of the Adi Parva.