Vaishampayana said: -
1. In the midst of all those kings, O Bharata, Bhima, the son of Shantanu, spoke these words to Duryodhana:
2. (Once on a time) Vrihaspati along with Shakra went to Brahma, as also did the Maruta with Indra, and the Vasus with Agni.
3. The Adityas, the Sadhyas, the seven heavenly Rishis, the Vishwavasu, the Gandharvas and beautiful cluster of the Apsaras,
4. Having saluted to them, old grandsire of the universe, approached him and the dwellers of heaven sat round that lord of the universe.
5. As if attracting unto themselves by their own energy the intellects and energies of them all, the two ancient Rishis, Nara and Narayana, departed.
6. Vrihaspati too asked Brahma “who are these two, who, O grandsire, without worshipping you, go away. Tell us that.”
Brahma said: -
7. These two ascetics blazing, as it were, with beauty, and illuminating the earth and heaven and possessed of great energy went away.
8. They are Nara and Narayana who have just come from the earth and are at present staying in these regions. With the fruits of their own asceticism they are resplendent and are possessed of great energy and prowess.
9. These two by their acts ever bring rejoicing to the worlds; they worshipped by the gods and the Gandharvas live for the destruction of the Asuras.
10. Shakra having heard this went to the place where these two were practising their devotions, in company with all that host of gods with Vrihaspati going in front of them.
11. At the time, among the dwellers of the heaven there was a great panic owing to a battle between the gods and the Asuras, and they (the gods) asked a boon of the noble-souled Nara and Narayana.
12. Those two then said “Choose (the boon),” O best of the race of Bharata. Shakra then said to those two- “make us invincible”.
13. Then did the two tell Shakra, - “we shall do what you wish.” Then aided by them Shakra triumphed over the Daityas and the Danavas.
14. That excellent among the ascetics, Nara, having killed the enemies in the battle for Indra, (killed) hundreds and thousands of Poulomas and Kalakanjas.
15. Seated on a revolving car, this Arjuna, by means of a broad-headed arrow, cut down the head of Jambha, who had opened his mouth to swallow him.
16. He penetrated into Hiranyapura, on the other side of the sea, after vanquishing in battle sixty thousands of Nivatakavachas.
17. This Arjuna, the conqueror of hostile cities, of long arms gratified the god of fire by conquering the gods with Indra.
18. In the same way Narayana has in this world killed innumerable other (Asuras); such are these two of great prowess that are seen to be united together.
19. The son of Vamdeva, and Arjuna, the two great heroic car warriors that have now allied together are the two ancient gods, Nara and Narayana. Such is the general belief.
20. Incapable of being vanquished by men in this world and by the gods and Asuras with Indra, this Krishna is Narayana and this son of Falguni, Nara, which the holy books declare. Narayana and Nara are of the same essence split up into two.
21. These two by their acts attain to several eternal and inexhaustible regions and are born in those places again and again in times of war.
22. Therefore, is war their duty. This what Narada conversant with the Vedas has said to the race of the Vrishnis.
23. When you will see Keshava with the conch, the disc and the mace in his hand, and Arjuna with that terrific-looking bow taking up weapons-
24. The two eternal and noble-souled Krishnas seated on the same chariot, O Duryodhana, O dear, then will you remember my words.
25. Otherwise why should the sons of Kuru have come to this state. Your intellect, O dear, has fallen off from both virtue and worldly profit.
26. If you do not accept my advice; then you will hear of the slaying of numerous men of your army; my advice is listened to by all the sons of Kuru.
27. The advice of the three persons you alone listen to, O bull among the race of Bharata, - viz. Karna, who was cursed by Rama,
28. The son of Suta, a low born fellow, Shakuni, the son of Suvala, and your little minded vicious brother Dushasana.
Karna said: -
29. It is not proper for you, O grand-father, to say to me the words you have spoken. I observe the rules of the Kshatriya caste and am not fallen from my own virtue.
30. What vice is there in one for which you revile me so; the son of Dhritarashtra knows that there is no sin in me.
31. I have never been without the slightest injury towards the son of Dhritarashtra and I shall kill all the sons of Pandu, engaged in battle.
32. How can these that are honest be reconciled with those that were formerly their enemies. The interest of king Dhritarashtra is ever looked after by me, and the same of Duryodhana; he is now established in the kingdom.
Vaishampayana said: -
33. Bhima, the son of Shantanu, having heard the words of Karna, again addressing the great king Dhritarashtra said these words:
34. Though he ever says “I shall be the slayer of the son of Pandu”, yet he is no even one sixteenth part of these large-hearted sons of Pandu.
35. The great calamity that is about to come on your sons of wicked souls, know that it is the work of this son of Suta of wicked mind.
36. Your son Suyodhana of weak intellect depending on him for support has insulted those heroic sons of godly men, the subduer of their foes.
37. What difficult task is there that has before been accomplished by him which is equal to what has been done by each of the sons of Pandu in days gone by,
38. Having seen in the city of Virata his dear brother killed by Dhananjaya who evinced a great deal of prowess, what did he do at that time.
39. When Dhananyaya rushing against all the Kurus and smashing them dispossessed them of their clothes what did he then do.
40. When your son was being taken as a captive towards the Ghoshajatra by the Gandharvas, where was then the son of Suta, who is now roaring like a bull.
41. Even in that case it was Bhima and the large minded Partha, who aided by the twins vanquished those Gandharvas.
42. These are the many unfounded statements that he makes; for he is boastful and regards not either morality or worldly profit. May good betide you.
43. The son of Bharadwaja of large mind having heard the words of Bhishma spoke thus to Dhritarashtra, among the assembled kings after duly saluting him.
44. What the chief among the race of Bharata, Bhishma, has said- do that, O protector of men. It is not proper that you should do what they that covet desire and wealth tell you to do.
45. Before the battle, I think that peace with the Pandavas seems to be the best. What has been prophesied by Arjuna and submitted to us by Sanjoya.
46. Win all be done by the son of Pandu, I know. In the three worlds there is no wielder of the bow equal to him.
47. Minding not however the speeches of Drona and Bhishma, which were good advices, the king asked Sanjaya about the sons of Pandu.
48. From that time did all the Kurus despair of their lives, when the king did not give a proper reply to the speeches of Bhishma and Drona.
Thus ends the forty-ninth chapter in the Yanasandhi of the Udyoga Parva.