PEACE PARLEY BY THE PANCHALA PRIEST

A group of Brahmins were sent as an envoy by Yudhisthira to the Kaurava court to study their war preparations as well as emissaries of peace on behalf of the Pandavas.

Yudhisthira sent the Panchala priest to the Kaurava court as an emissary of peace. Draupada told his priest, "Best of Brahmins, you know how gentle the Pandavas are; and what privations and sufferings they endured to redeem their pledge. Please meet Dhritarashtra first. The blind King is afraid of the prowess of the Pandavas. Left to himself, he prefers peace as he knows the weakness of his sons. He has great regard and affection for Vidura, who is pro -Pandava and he will be your greatest asset there. You can talk to him privately. Bhishma, Drona and Kripa in spite of their enemity towards the Pancahlas, have a soft corner in their hearts for the Pandavas and they do not like Karna or Sakuni. By your efforts, you may be able to widen the cleavage between them. You can gain first hand information about their war preparations. We will not feel sorry or disappointed if you return empty- handed. Your visit will serve many an ulterior purpose. If by chance, you succeed, all glory to you; and immense virtue will accrue to you as the savior of the lives of millions of people. Even if nothing comes out of our visit, your very presence there will prove a preponderous hindrance to their war preparations. So you can take your own time at Hastinapura and return to us at leisure. Meanwhile, we continue our preparations."

The Brahmins left for Hastinapura and went to the Kaurava court. Dhritarashtra welcomed the Panchala priest and enquired after the welfare of the Pandavas, individually. He asked about Draupadi’s welfare as well. As soon as the preliminary courtesies were over, the Brahmin envoy spoke on behalf of the Pandavas, "Your majesty, Dhritarashtra, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Asvatthama, Vidura, Duryodhana brothers and friends, I have come as an envoy of the Pandavas seeking peace. The pledged period is completed. The Pandavas want their patrimony back. The arrangement made by his majesty Dhritarashtra may be revived. The Pandavas desire peace and want to revive their brotherhood with the Kauravas. War will ruin both the parties as well as the people at large. They plead for justice. Though they are strong and brave, though they have powerful allies, they seek peace. It is a case of non- violence of the strong. They are not ambitious and do not desire to enjoy the whole Kuru kingdom. They want that which justily belongs to them. I request elder statesman of the realm like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Vidura to speak out their minds. Pandavas are willing to abide by their verdict."


Dhritarashtra heard with rapt attention, every syllable uttered by the envoy. Bhishma rose and said, "I am happy that the Pandavas are not bent on brutal war and prepared for peace parleys. I know Dharmaputra can forgive and forget. Let us seize this opportunity. Let the Pandavas return back to Indraprastha in accordance with the arrangement already made by Dhritarashtra." Before Bhishma finished his speech, Karna stood up and proclaimed in a mood of defiance, "Intelligent Brahmin from the Panchala Kingdom, you have poured the old wine in a new bottle; it is clear that the Pandavas are puppets in the hands of the Panchalas. Your very presence is proof positive for the truth of my proposition. You have not come evidently to request; your language is couched in uncivil threats. You cannot bamboozle Duryodhana with brave words. In fact, Arjuna came out of his disguise prematurely and if the Pandavas still profess any rectitude, they shall return to the forest."

Bhishma, who felt insulted when he was interrupted rose to his feet once again, in an angry mood to chide Karna and he bursted out, "Radheya, why do you poke your nose into this family feud unnecessarily? Let Dhritarashtra give the reply. Why do you exhibit your ignorance of planetary movements and calculation of time? We heard the twang of the Gandhiva string after the pledged period was completed. If we are not willing for honourable peace, we are doomed to humiliating defeat and utter destruction. Even if you want to embark on the suicidal course, you may have some consideration for the people at large. War does not devour you alone; it consumes the whole populace."

There was consternation in the court as the veteran Bhishma exchanged hot words with Karna. Dhritarashtra intervened and said, "Best of Brahmins, please go back to the Pandavas; convey to them my affectionate regards. Please tell them that I am sending Sanjaya to them within a short time. I request you to convey my best compliments to King Drupada and King Virata for whom I have great regard and respect." The Brahmin envoy returned to Upaplavya and apprised Yudhisthira with what happened at Hastinapura.