Bhimasena said: ‘Shame on the strength of my arms and on Phalguna’s Gandiva, if your hands, once red, are now both calloused. In Virata’s assembly I wished to wreak great slaughter, but the King of Dharma held me back with a single glance. Understanding this, I remained standing, O radiant one. That we were driven from the kingdom of the Kurus, and that Suyodhana, Karna, Shakuni son of Subala, and the wicked Duhshasana were not slain — that I did not tear off the head of that sinful Duhshasana — all this burns me, O blessed one, like a thorn lodged in my heart. Do not abandon dharma, O fair-hipped one; abandon your anger, O great-minded one. If King Yudhishthira should hear this reproach of yours, O blessed one, he would give up his life entirely. Or Dhananjaya, O fair-hipped one, or the twins, O slender-waisted one — if they should depart to another world, I could not go on living. Sukanya, daughter of Sharyata, followed Bhargava Chyavana into the forest when he had become like an anthill, absorbed in tranquility, O radiant one. If you have heard of Nadayani Indrasena, renowned for her beauty, she in ancient times followed an aged husband who had lived a thousand years. And the daughter of Janaka, Vaidehi Sita, if you have heard of her, followed her husband who dwelt in the great forest. Rama’s beloved queen, though seized and tormented by the rakshasa, O fair-hipped one, remained devoted only to Rama. So too Lopamudra, O timid one, endowed with youth and beauty, gave up every superhuman pleasure and followed Agastya. As these women, famed for their beauty and devotion to their husbands, were — so are you too, O blessed one, endowed with every virtue. Endure a little longer — a month and a half. When the thirteenth year is complete, you shall become the queen of a king.’