As the Kuru elders and princes gathered in council, a tense air filled the chamber. Karṇa, resolute and forceful, spoke first. He declared that as long as Krishna, the mighty son of the Vrishni line, had not arrived at the house of Panchala at the head of the Yadava army to support the Pandavas’ claim, there was still an opportunity to act. Karṇa reminded those present that Krishna would never abandon the Pandavas—neither wealth, nor pleasure, nor even the kingdom itself could make him forsake them, under any circumstances. Karṇa then invoked the glory of valor, recalling how the great Bharata had gained the earth through his courage, and how Indra, the lord of the gods, had conquered the three worlds by his might. Valor, Karṇa insisted, is the highest virtue of a Kṣatriya; it is the true duty of heroes. With this conviction, he urged King Dhṛtarāṣṭra to muster the great fourfold Kuru army and, by force, swiftly overpower Drupada and bring the Pandavas back. Karṇa argued that the Pandavas could not be subdued by gentle words, nor by gifts, nor by cunning; only valor would prevail. He urged that, having conquered the Pandavas by strength, the Kauravas could then enjoy the earth undisturbed, for he saw no other way to achieve this end. Hearing these words, the mighty King Dhṛtarāṣṭra honored Karṇa, acknowledging his valor and skill with weapons. Yet, the king was cautious. He asked that Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Vidura, along with Karṇa and Duryodhana, devise a plan that would bring happiness to all. Thus, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra summoned all his renowned counselors and held a grand consultation. It was Bhīṣma who spoke next, his voice steady and wise. He declared that he did not approve of any conflict with the sons of Pāṇḍu, for he saw both Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Pāṇḍu as equally his own. Just as the sons of Gāndhārī were dear to him, so too were the sons of Kuntī. As he would protect his own, so he would protect them. The kingdom, he said, belonged to the ancestors, to their father, and to the foremost of the Kurus. Bhīṣma reasoned that, just as Duryodhana saw the kingdom as his inheritance, so too did the Pandavas. If the illustrious sons of Pāṇḍu had not obtained the kingdom, then how could it belong to Duryodhana or anyone else? And if Duryodhana claimed the kingdom by unrighteous means, the Pandavas too had previously held it. Therefore, Bhīṣma urged that half the kingdom should be given to the Pandavas peacefully, for this would benefit all people. Otherwise, he warned, infamy would surely follow. He reminded Duryodhana to uphold his honor, for honor is the highest strength of a ruler. A man whose honor is lost, Bhīṣma said, is as good as dead. He urged Duryodhana to act in a manner worthy of the Kuru lineage and their ancestors. Bhīṣma saw the survival of the Pandavas as the destruction of their own sin, and he believed that not even Indra himself could wrest their ancestral share from these heroic men while they lived. The Pandavas stood united in righteousness, yet had been deprived of their share through unrighteousness. If Duryodhana wished to act righteously, to please Bhīṣma, and to ensure the welfare of all, then he should grant the Pandavas half the kingdom. Vidura then spoke, affirming that wise counsel should always be righteous, expedient, and honorable. He agreed with Bhīṣma: the sons of Kunti should be given their share, for this was the eternal law. Vidura proposed sending a trustworthy messenger to Drupada, bearing abundant jewels and gifts, to speak of the great prosperity that would arise from this alliance. The messenger should repeatedly assure Duryodhana, Drupada, and Dhrishtadyumna of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s goodwill, and console both the sons of Kunti and the sons of Madri. At the king’s command, splendid golden ornaments should be presented to Draupadi, and suitable gifts given to all the sons of Drupada, the Pandavas, and Kunti. After offering these gifts and speaking conciliatory words in the presence of Drupada and the Pandavas, the messenger would then invite the Pandavas to return. Once permission was granted, the army would proceed in good order, and Duhshasana and Vikarna would escort the Pandavas back to Hastinapura. Thus, in the assembly of the Kurus, the voices of valor and righteousness vied for the future of the kingdom, as the elders sought a path that would preserve both honor and peace.