'O delight of the Kuru race, for your sake I then contended with Krishna and spoke against his view. Again and again I hinted at the equal footing of our relations with both sides. But Krishna did not accept the position I then advanced; and I cannot separate myself from Krishna for even a moment. And since I cannot act against Krishna, this too is my resolve: that I will fight neither for the sons of Kunti nor for you. And, O bull of Bharata, born into the race of Bharata honored by all kings, go and fight in accordance with the rules of propriety.' Vaishampayana continued: 'Thus Duryodhana embraced this hero armed with a plow in place of a weapon of war, and though he knew Krishna had been taken from him, he still considered Arjuna already defeated.'