Mādhava, the gracious Kṛṣṇa, bestowed upon the Pandavas an abundance of splendid gifts. He presented them with costly garments gathered from distant lands, blankets and furs of the finest quality, precious gems that glittered with every hue, and all manner of soft, luxurious items. Not content with these, he gave them numerous grand couches and seats, elegant vehicles, and vessels inlaid with beryl and diamonds by the hundreds, each shining with craftsmanship and wealth. Kṛṣṇa also gifted the Pandavas beautiful and youthful maidservants from various regions, each adorned and gentle in nature. He sent them well-trained elephants, magnificent horses, and chariots adorned with golden trappings and splendid cloths, their opulence evident to all who beheld them. In addition, Madhusudana, whose soul knows no measure, sent countless pieces of pure, unalloyed gold, all arranged in neat rows—a sight to inspire awe. King Yudhishthira, ever devoted to righteousness, received all these treasures with great joy, his heart intent on pleasing Govinda. Soon after, the intelligence gathered by the kings through their spies was brought forth. Draupadi, auspicious and radiant, was united with the Pandavas as their wife. It was Arjuna, the mighty-armed conqueror, who had pierced the target at the svayamvara, wielding the great bow with unmatched skill. Bhima, strong and fierce, had once uprooted a tree in his wrath and struck down King Shalya of Madra, terrifying all who witnessed his strength in battle. Yet, even in the midst of great trials, Bhima remained unshaken, his touch terrible to foes, his might scattering the limbs of enemy armies. Among the Pandavas, Yudhishthira, the eldest, stood out for his virtue and wisdom, never overstepping the bounds of righteousness even in conflict with Duryodhana. The twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, virtuous and accomplished, matched Duryodhana’s younger brothers in valor and strength. News spread swiftly: the sons of Pandu, serene and radiant as Brahma himself, were alive and present. The assembled kings and citizens were filled with wonder, for all had believed that Kunti and her sons had perished in the house of lac. Now, seeing them alive, it was as if they had been born anew among the rulers and their realms. The illustrious Kunti and the Pandavas were regarded with awe, their survival seen as miraculous. In the wake of these revelations, the assembly condemned Bhishma and King Dhritarashtra for the cruel act carried out by Purocana, who had sought to destroy the righteous sons of Pritha—men devoted to their mother and steadfast in virtue. After Draupadi’s svayamvara, the sons of Dhritarashtra gathered for counsel, swayed by the words of Karna and Shakuni, the son of Suvala. They spoke of weakening one enemy, oppressing another, and declared that the sons of Kunti must be destroyed for the sake of the Kshatriyas. They warned that if the Pandavas were allowed to go free without any agreement, unrest would follow, and the Kauravas would become objects of ridicule. Shakuni urged immediate action, arguing that this was the time and place to seize the Pandavas. He doubted Drupada’s strength as an ally and insisted that, as long as the powerful Vrishnis, Shishupala, and the valiant Chedi king remained unaware, the Pandavas could be overcome. But, he warned, once Drupada joined forces with them, the Pandavas would become invincible. He pressed for a decisive attack before all the kings could unite around the Pandavas, likening any delay to letting birds descend upon their army. Shakuni’s words were filled with malice, but Somadatta, wise among the elders, replied with calm reason. He spoke of the importance of understanding the seven elements of one’s own and another’s power—place, time, and the six qualities of policy. One must consider position, growth, decline, land, allies, and prowess, and only attack an enemy weakened by calamity. Somadatta observed that the Pandavas were now strong: they had friends, wealth, and were beloved by their people for their deeds. Arjuna, he noted, delighted all with his handsome presence and sweet words, winning hearts by his actions rather than mere destiny. Arjuna’s speech was always beautiful, never improper or false, never displeasing. With such virtues and royal marks, Somadatta saw no one capable of overthrowing the Pandavas by force. He pointed out their great power, wise counsel, and energetic strength. Yudhishthira, he said, understood the strength of allies and the right time to act, using conciliation, gifts, division, and punishment as needed. Therefore, Somadatta concluded, enemies should not be conquered by anger, but by winning them over with wealth, alliances, and prudent strength. Thus, wisdom, not wrath, should guide their response to the rise of the Pandavas.