Bhishma spake were thoroughly impartial and worshipped by the wise. And
the grandsire of the Kurus said, 'The words that the regenerate Drona
acquainted with the truth of every affair hath uttered, are approved by
me. I have no hesitation in saying so. Endued with every auspicious
mark, observant of virtuous vows, possessed of Vedic lore, devoted to
religious observances, conversant with various sciences, obedient to the
counsels of the aged, adhering to the vow of truth, acquainted with the
proprieties of time, observant of the pledge they have given (in respect
of their exile), pure in their behaviour, ever adhering to the duties of
the Kshatriya order, always obedient to Kesava, high-souled, possessed
of great strength, and ever-bearing the burthens of the wise, those
heroic ones can never wither under misfortune. Aided by their own
energy, sons of Pandu who are now leading a life of concealment in
obedience to virtue, will surely never perish. It is even this that my
mind surmiseth. Therefore, O Bharata, I am for employing the aid of
honest counsel in our behaviour towards the sons of Pandu. It would not
be the policy of any wise man to cause them to be discovered now by
means of spies,[21] what we should do unto the sons of Pandu, I shall
say, reflecting with the aid of the intellect. Know that I shall say
nothing from ill will to thee. People like me should never give such
counsels to him that is dishonest, for only counsels (like those I would
give) should be offered unto them that are honest. Counsels, however,
that are evil, should under no circumstances be offered. He, O child,
that is devoted to truth and obedient to the aged, he, indeed, that is
wise, while speaking in the midst of an assembly, should under all
circumstances speak the truth, if the acquisition of virtue be an object
with him. I should, therefore, say that I think differently from all
those people here, in respect of the abode of Yudhishthira the just in
this the thirteenth year of his exile. The ruler, O child, of the city
or the province where king Yudhishthira resides cannot have any