Pandavas used to disregard us, of old. Bhima is fierce and brave and the sole refuge of the Pandavas. If he be slain, the others will be deprived of strength and energy. Deprived of Bhima, who is their sole refuge, they will no longer strive to regain their kingdom. Arjuna, O king. is invincible in battle, it Bhima protecteth him from behind. Without Bhima, Arjuna is not equal to even a fourth part of Radheya. Indeed, O king, the Pandavas conscious of their own feebleness without Bhima and of our strength would not really strive to recover the kingdom. Or, if, O monarch.coming hither, they prove docile and obedient to us, we would then seek to repress them according to the dictates of political science (as explained by Kanika). Or, we may tempt them by means of handsome girls, upon which the princess of Panchala will get annoyed with them. Or. O Radheya, let messengers be despatched to bring them hither, so that, when arrived, we may through trusted agents, by some of the above methods, cause them to be slain. Strive O father, to employ any of these (various) methods that may appear to thee faultless. Time passeth. Before their confidence in king Drupada --that bull amongst kings-is established we may succeed. O monarch, to encounter them. But after their confidence hath been established in Drupada, we are sure to fail. These, O father, are my views for the discomfiture of the Pandavas ! Judge whether they be good or bad ! What, O Karna, dost thou think?'
Thus ends the two hundred and third section in the Viduragamana Parva of the Adi Parva.
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(Viduragamana Parva continued)
Vaisampayana said. "Thus addressed by Duryyodhana, Karna said, 'It doth not seem to me, O Duryyodhana, that thy reasoning is well-founded. O perpetuator of the Kuru race, no method will succeed against the Pandavas! O brave prince, thou hast before, by various subtle means, striven to carry out thy wishes. But ever bast thou failed to slay thy foes. They were then living near thee, O king 1 They were then unfledged and of tender years, but thou couldst not injure them then. They are now living at distance, grown up, full-fledged. The sons of Kunti, O thou of firm resolution, cannot now be injured by any subtle contrivances of thine. This is my opinion. As they are aided by the very Fates, and as they are desirous of regaining their
