Supernatural character of Arjuna's disguise as a eunuch VOW Alleged refinement of Draupadi's manners Myth that the Sun god preserved her from the indignity of a Mythical details respecting the Pándavas Declaration of Arjuna as regards fugitives and captives, in- Ridiculous dispute between Yudhishthira and Raja Viráta Marriage of Abhimanyu and Uttará treated as a myth After the marriage Viráta disappears and Drupada takes the Subsequent negotiations and preparations carried on in the city ib. ib. ib. ib. ib. ib. ib. Ridicule thrown by the story upon the religious belief of the ib. Questionable character of Krishna's subsequent association History of the negotiations which preceded the great war 1st, Great Council of the Pándavas and their allies at the Speech of Krishna :— "The Pándavas have now fulfilled their period of exile and desire the restoration of their rights; but before going to war, an ambassador might be sent to the Speech of Balaráma :-"I agree with Krishna, especially as Yudhishthira by persisting in the game at dice is really the author of his own misfortunes" Speech of Sátyaki:-"I do not agree with Balaráma, and I Speech of Raja Drupada:-"I agree with Sátyaki: The influ- ence of Duryodhana is paramount at Hastinápur, and the Second speech of Krishna :-"I agree with Drupada, but wish Breaking up of the Council. Review of the foregoing tradition of the Great Council Mythical efforts of Duryodhana and Arjuna to win over Krishna promises to drive the chariot of Arjuna in the forth- Improbability of the legend, but religious significance of the Story of Sálya, Raja of Madra, deserting the Pandavas, but engaging to drive the chariot of Karna in his combat with 2nd, Embassy of the family priest of Drupada to Hastinapur Illustrative of the patriarchal period prior to the age of writing Tradition of the embassy sent to the Kauravas Karna's message to the Pandavas :- "The Pándavas were dis- Diplomatic qualifications of Sanjaya. Message of the Maháraja to the Pandavas Sanjaya reaches the camp of the Pándavas, and is surprised at the greatness of their preparations for war The Pandavas receive the ambassador in Council Reply of Yudhishthira :- "We are anxious to avoid a war, but the Maharaja is trying to entrap us to Hastinápur with mere offers of protection, without promising to restore our Reply of Krishna :-"The Pándavas have been put to such Yudhishthira sends public messages by Sanjaya to the elders Yudhishthira's secret message to Duryodhana :- "We will resign our claim to the half share if you will restore us our Sanjaya delivers his messages to the Maharaja Yudhishthira applies to Krishna for counsel Krishna offers to go as ambassador to Hastinapur Great preparations commenced by Duryodhana Vidura urges that the reception is useless unless Duryodhana is prepared to restore the five villages to the Pándavas ib. Refuses to partake of the entertainment prepared by Dur- Declares that there can be no friendship between them unless Duryodhana comes to terms with the Pandavas Returns to the house of Vidura, and declines all other in- Reverence paid to Krishna by the people of Hastinapur Krishna proceeds to the great Council of the Kauravas Speech of Krishna to the Maharaja :-I have come to re- Krishna addresses the Maháraja as the mouth-piece of the Pándavas, who pray for a restoration of their share of the Speech of Krishna to the Council generally :-"A Minister is responsible for the acts of the Maháraja, and counsellors are bound to prevent the Maháraja from doing wrong" Krishna's final request to the Maharaja Duhsásana warns Duryodhana that unless he submits to The Maharaja summons the Rání Gándhárí into the Council ib. Krishna reveals himself as the Supreme Being Krishna reassumes his humanity, and takes his leave Krishna returns to the house of Vidura, and takes leave of Spirited message of Kuntí to her sons Krishna invites Karna to join the Pándavas ib. ib. ib. ib. Karna refuses to desert Duryodhana, or to take a position where ib. Foregoing legend of the embassy of Krishna to be treated as a Krishna returns to the Pándavas and desires them to prepare ib. ib. Evidently an episode of modern origin ib. Marked difference between Krishna as a hero and as an incarn- ib. Suspicious character of the legend as a representation of the actual relations between the Kauravas and Pándavas Proceedings of the alleged embassy irreconcilable with the myth |