In the aftermath of the great conflict, the kshatriyas, burning with mutual enmity, turned away from the wise counsel of Vidura, Bhishma, Drona, Sharadvata, and Kripa. The tumult of their passions drowned out the voices of wisdom. When the sons of Pandu emerged victorious, word of their triumph spread, and it became clear that Duryodhana, together with Karna and Shakuni, harbored intentions that would bring only misfortune. Amidst these troubles, the aged king Dhritarashtra, having pondered long and deeply, spoke to his charioteer Sanjaya: “Hear my words, Sanjaya, and do not take offense. You are learned and wise, respected for your understanding. Know that I desire no conflict, nor do I rejoice in the destruction of our family. I make no difference between my own sons and the sons of Pandu; yet, my sons, given to anger, resent me, though I am old. Out of weakness and deep affection for them, I have endured much, though I am blind and confused, sharing the folly of my senseless son Duryodhana. At the Rajasuya sacrifice, when my son witnessed the splendor and power of the Pandavas—when he saw Yudhishthira ascend the throne—he was deeply humiliated. Though a kshatriya, he was angered and, unable to defeat the Pandavas in battle, he lost heart and could not achieve such greatness. In his frustration, he conspired with Shakuni, the king of Gandhara, to arrange the deceitful game of dice. Listen well, Sanjaya, to all that I know of these events. If you hear my words, spoken with reason and truth, you will know me as one who sees with the eye of wisdom. When I heard that Arjuna, drawing his bow, struck down the target and won Krishna’s hand before all the assembled kings, even then, Sanjaya, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Arjuna seized and married Subhadra of Dwaraka, and that the two Vrishni heroes visited Indraprastha, my hope for victory faded. When I learned that Arjuna repelled the king of the gods with divine arrows and that Agni was satisfied at Khandava, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that the five sons of Kunti escaped from the house of lac, aided by Vidura for their own good, I lost hope. When I heard that Draupadi was won in the arena after Arjuna pierced the target, and that the brave Panchalas and Pandavas were united, my heart despaired. When I heard that Bhimasena slew Jarasandha, the foremost of the Magadhas, in single combat, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that the Pandavas subdued the kings of the earth and performed the great Rajasuya sacrifice, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Draupadi, weeping and distressed, was dragged into the assembly in a single garment, menstruating, unprotected though her protectors were present, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that foolish Duhshasana heaped up garments in the assembly, and that the humiliation was left unfinished, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Yudhishthira was defeated at dice by Shakuni, lost his kingdom, and was followed by his incomparable brothers, I did not hope for victory. When I heard of the many hardships endured by the righteous Pandavas, who set out for the forest, suffering out of love for their elder brother, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that King Yudhishthira, dwelling in the forest, was followed by thousands of great-souled Brahmanas who lived on alms, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that the sons of Pritha, during their exile, were visited by ancient great sages who, with their disciples, became their friends and attendants, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Dhananjaya, while in heaven, received divine weapons from Indra himself, being praised as truthful and learning them well, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that the Kālaka keyas and the proud Paulomas, invincible even to the gods, were defeated by Arjuna, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that the diademed Arjuna, tormentor of foes, went forth to destroy the Asuras and returned successful from Indra’s world, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that the son of Pandu, with Lomasha, began the pilgrimage to holy places and obtained the secret of dice from Brihadashva, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Bhima and the other sons of Pritha met with Vaisravana in a region inaccessible to men, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that, during the cattle expedition, my sons were captured by the Gandharvas and released by Arjuna—who delighted in Karna’s wisdom—I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Yudhishthira encountered Dharma in the form of a Yaksha, who questioned him thoroughly, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that my people did not recognize the Pandavas, who lived in disguise with Krishna in the kingdom of Virata, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Bhimasena slew Kichaka, the foremost among the Kichakas, along with his hundred brothers, for the sake of Draupadi, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that the foremost of my sons were defeated by Dhananjaya, alone on his chariot, while he dwelt in the kingdom of Virata, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that the king of the Matsyas honored Arjuna and gave his daughter Uttara to him, and Arjuna accepted her for his son, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Yudhishthira, though defeated, deprived of wealth, exiled, and separated from his kin, still assembled seven divisions of troops, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Madhava, Vasudeva, was wholly devoted to the cause of the Pandavas—he whose single stride encompasses the earth—I did not hope for victory. When I heard Narada declare that Krishna and Arjuna are the two ancient sages, Nara and Narayana, and that I myself saw this clearly in Brahma’s world, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Krishna came to the Kurus seeking peace for the good of the world, and, though he strove for peace, returned unsuccessful, I did not hope for victory. When I heard that Krishna had resolved to restrain his mind and revealed himself in many forms, I did not expect victory. When I heard that Vasudeva departed, standing at the front of the chariot, and that distressed Kunti was comforted by Krishna, then, O Sanjaya, I did not expect victory. Thus, Sanjaya, with each event that unfolded, my hope for victory faded, for the signs were clear, and the power and virtue of the Pandavas, supported by Krishna, could not be denied.