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55. NOT A NEEDLE-POINT OF TERRITOR
Krishna said in reply: "For the good of
you both, I have decided to go to
Hastinapura. I shall go to Dhritarashtra's
court and try to secure your rights without
war. If my mission succeeds, it will be for
the good of the world."
Yudhishthira said: "Krishna, pray do not
go. What is the good of your going to the
enemies' place now? The perverse
Duryodhana will stick to his folly. I do not
like your going among those unscrupulous
men. We cannot let you jeopardise your
safety, for the Kauravas will stop at
nothing."
Krishna answered: "Dharmaputra, I know
how wicked Duryodhana is. But still we
should make all attempts at a peaceful
solution so as to give the world no cause
to accuse us of not having done
everything possible to avert war. We must
omit nothing, no matter how slender our
hopes of success. Have no fears for my
safety, for, if the Kauravas offer me, a
messenger of peace, any threat of bodily
harm, I will reduce them to ashes."
Said Yudhishthira: "You are all-knowing.
You know our hearts as well as theirs. In
expounding matters and in the art of
persuasion, there is none better than you."
Krishna said: "Yes, I know you both.
Your mind ever clings to righteousness
and theirs is always steeped in hatred,
jealousy and enmity. I will do all I can to
secure the result, which I know is dear to
you, a settlement reached without war
even though it may have, but little for
you. The signs are ominous and portend
war. Still duty demands that we should
make the attempt for peace."
Thus saying, Krishna took leave of the
Pandavas and set off in his chariot to
Hastinapura.
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