Duryodhana said: -
1. What Vidura has said regarding Krishna has been truly spoken for Janardana is firmly attached to the sons of Pritha and Inseparable from them.
2. The diverse kinds of wealth Therefore, that is proposed to be bestowed on Janardana for his honour, O chief among kings, should on no account be given.
3. Though Keshava is worthy of all that, yet place and time render it inexpedient; for he will come to think on receiving our worship, O king, that we are honouring him out of tear.
4. O Lord of the world, what Would conduce to the disgrace of the Kshatriya race should not be done by a wise man. Such is my decided opinion.
5. Krishna of big eyes is most worthy of worship in this world by all the three worlds. This fact is always present in my mind.
6. But circumstances are such, my lord, that nothing should be given him. War having been decided on will not turn into peace by delaying the former.
Vaishampayana told: -
7. Bhishma, the grandfather of the Kurus, having heard these words of his said these words to the royal son of Vichitravirya.
8. Janardana will not get angry, whether lie is properly received or not. He cannot be insulted; for Keshava is not capable of being so.
9. Whatever act, O you with long arms, is fructified in his mind’s eye cannot be prevented by any man by every mean in his power.
1o. What that being with long arms says, should be done without hesitation. Effect peace quickly with the Pandavas through the instrumentality of Vasudeva.
11. Janardana, inclined to virtue, will surely say what is conducive to morality as well as worldly profit; and he should be spoken to in agreeable words by yourself along with your friends.
Duryodhana said: -
12. Since, O king, there is no likelihood of my being the sole enjoyer of royalty, and since, O grandsire, I cannot share it for life with them.
13. Listen to this great deed which I have fixed in my mind. I shall make Janardana -the refuge of the Pandavas, -the captive.
14. On his imprisonment, the Vrishnis and the Pandavas, in fact the whole world, will be at my disposal Krishna, too, will be here tomorrow morning.
15. Some means for executing this in such a way that Janardana may not at all anticipate it; and so that we way not fall into any danger, - should be told me by you.
Vaiashampayana said: -
16. Hearing these words of terrible import, namely 0f making Krishna a captive, Dhritarashtra with his ministers became oppressed with pain.
17. Dhritarashtra then said these words to Duryodhana -do not say so, O you protector of men. This is against eternal virtue.
18. Hrishikesha is an ambassador; and in relation he is dear to ourselves. He has done no wrong to the Kurus. How then is it proper that he should be made a captive?
Bhishma said: -
19. This wicked son of yours, O Dhritarashtra, is on the verge of eternity. He selects the evil and not what is good, though begged by persons who wish well to him.
20. Instead of listening to the advice of your well-wishers, you too follow him, who is established on this unrighteous path and whose surroundings are sinful.
21. This son of Dhritarashtra of exceedingly wicked purposes, along with his advisers, will cease to exist in a moment when he comes against Krishna, who can do a work without the least trouble.
22. I dare not listen to any words of this man of wicked purpose, who has abandoned virtue and who is cruel and sinful.
23. Having said this, the foremost of aged men among the Bharata, Bhishma of true prowess got up arid went away from that place, fired with great rage.
Thus ends the eighty-eighth chapter, the speech of Duryodhana and others, in the Bhagavat-Yana of the Udyoga Parva.