himself obeyeth his younger brothers, never perish in this way. Why,
then, should not (Yudhishthira) the son of Pritha possessing a knowledge
of policy, be able to restore the prosperity of his brothers who are so
obedient and devoted and high-souled? It is for this that they are
carefully waiting for the arrival of their opportunity. Men such as
these never perish. This is what I see by my intellect. Do, therefore,
quickly and without loss of time, what should now be done, after proper
reflection. And let also the abode which the sons of Pandu with souls
under control as regards every purpose of life, are to occupy, be now
settled. Heroic and sinless and possessed of ascetic merit, the Pandavas
are difficult to be discovered (within the period of non-discovery).
Intelligent and possessed of every virtue, devoted to truth and versed
in the principles of policy, endued with purity and holiness, and the
embodiment of immeasurable energy, the son of Pritha is capable of
consuming (his foes) by a glance alone of his eyes. Knowing all this, do
what is proper. Let us, therefore, once more search after them, sending
Brahmanas and _Charanas_, ascetics crowned with success, and others of
this kind who may have a knowledge of those heroes!'"


SECTION XXVIII

Vaisampayana said, "Then that grandsire of the Bharatas, Bhishma the son
of Santanu, conversant with the _Vedas_, acquainted with the
proprieties of time and place, and possessing a knowledge of every duty
of morality, after the conclusion of Drona's speech, applauded the words
of the preceptor and spake unto the Bharatas for their benefit these
words consistent with virtue, expressive of his attachment to the
virtuous Yudhishthira, rarely spoken by men that are dishonest, and
always meeting with the approbation of the honest. And the words that