Then the Kauravas, together with all the kings present there, bowed to Govinda, who sat upon his throne resplendent as the sun itself. When the ceremony of worship was over, King Duryodhana invited him, the foremost of the Vrishni race and greatest of victors, to dine in his house. But Keshava did not accept the invitation. Duryodhana, king of the Kurus, seated in the midst of the Kurus, glancing at Karna and, in a gentle voice that concealed deceit within its words, addressed Keshava thus: 'Why, O Janardana, will you not accept the many kinds of food and drink, the garments and the couches, all prepared and kept ready for you? You have rendered service to both sides; you are devoted to the welfare of both. You are indeed the foremost of Dhritarashtra's kinsmen and are greatly loved by him. You, O Govinda, also know everything in detail, both religion and profit. Therefore I wish to hear, O wielder of discus and mace, the true reason for your refusal.' Vaishampayana continued: 'The high-souled Govinda, whose eyes were like lotus petals, then raised his mighty right arm, and in a voice deep as the roll of clouds, answered the king with excellent words full of reasoned argument — words that were clear, distinct, correctly uttered, and without a single flaw — saying: "Envoys, O king, eat and accept honors only after the success of their missions."'