"It is on him that the movement of the world depends, for he is lord of all beings. In him abide steadfastness, valor, wisdom, and strength, O Madhava. Let this best of men be honored, for that is the eternal dharma. When honored, he brings happiness; when unhonored, misfortune follows. If the Dasharha, subduer of foes, is pleased by such attentions, we shall obtain every one of our aims among all the kings. This very day, O scorcher of foes, arrange for his honoring. Let halls be set up along the way, furnished with everything one could desire, so that, O mighty-armed one, love for you may be born in him. Do this accordingly, O son of Gandhari — or what do you think, Bhishma?" And, having embraced him, the king began to instruct him on what he should do." Yudhishthira said: "That woman who raised us from our infancy; who is ever devoted to fasting, ascetic austerities, and propitiatory rites and ceremonies; who is devoted to the worship of gods and guests; who is ever occupied in serving her elders; who loves her sons with an affection that knows no bounds; whom, O Janardana, we love dearly; who, O destroyer of enemies, saved us again and again from the snares of Suyodhana, as a boat saves the crew of a wrecked ship from the sea's terrible dangers, and who, O Madhava, though herself undeserving of grief, suffered countless sorrows on our account — her welfare must be asked after. Greet her, embrace her, and, oh, comfort her again and again, grief-stricken as she is on account of her sons, speaking of the Pandavas ever since her marriage. She has become a victim, though undeserving, of sorrow and grief because of her father-in-law's conduct, and suffering has been her lot. Shall I live to see the day, O Krishna, when, O punisher of foes, my sufferings past, I may bring happiness to my grieving mother? On the eve of our exile, out of love for her children, she ran after us in anguish, weeping bitterly, but we left her and went on. So it may be that she still lives, hospitably received by the Anartas, though suffering sorrow for her sons — O glorious Krishna, greet her also from me, from king Dhritarashtra of the Kurus, and from all those kings who are our elders — from Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, the king of the Vahlikas, and Drona's son, from Somadatta, and indeed from every member of the Bharata race, as well as from Vidura, endowed with great wisdom, that counselor of the Kurus of profound intellect and deep knowledge of morality — all of them, O slayer of Madhu, should be received by you!" Having spoken these words to Keshava in the presence of the kings, Yudhishthira, with Krishna's leave, withdrew, first circling around him. Then Arjuna, walking a few steps, said to his friend, that bull among men, that slayer of hostile heroes, that invincible warrior of the Dasharha line: "All the kings know, O glorious Govinda, that by our deliberation it was decided that we should ask for our kingdom back. If, without offending us, honoring you, they honestly give us what we demand, then, O mighty-armed one, they will please me greatly and themselves escape a terrible danger. But if the son of Dhritarashtra, ever resorting to wrongful means, acts otherwise, then I shall surely, O Janardana, destroy the race of kshatriyas." Vaishampayana continued: "When Arjuna had spoken these words, Vrikodara was filled with delight.