Every one was eager to hear the answer brought by SANJAYA from the Pandavas. Sanjaya saluted all the elders in the court as he entered. Sanjaya described in some detail, the assembly of the Pandavas in Upalavya, and the kings who were present there to pledge their support to the Pandavas in the coming war. Then he gave a detailed account of the reply given to the Kauravas by Krishna on behalf of Yudhisthira. Sanjaya did not omit to mention the names of the kings assembled there in support of the Pandavas and their seven 'Akshunis' of army. After giving an account of what Krishna said, Sanjaya sat down.

Bhishma stood up and said facing Duryodhana, The message of Sanjaya to the Pandavas and the answer of Krishna to it, is sure a sign of your impending death and destruction of all. There is still time for you to atone for your sins and rectify your mistakes. Return the kingdom of the Pandavas and live peacefully and happily. Yudhisthira is a follower of the path of dharma and the truth. He will certainly forgive you. It is the opinion of the wise that Arjuna and Krishna are Nara and Narayana. No one can defeat them in the three worlds. It is regrettable that even your army is being defeated by Arjuna again and again yet you do no see, you do not learn, you are relying too much on your deceitful uncle Shakuni, imprudent brother Dussasana and that low-born Karna. Karna had fled in the face of Arjuna in the wars at Virata and with the Gandharvas If you start the war on his strength and dream of defeating Arjuna and Krishna with his help, you are certainly inviting Yama for your entire clan. Karna also suffers from the curse of Parashurama and the brahmin. He has also lost his Kavacha and Kundala. It you pay heed to what I say do not gamble with your eleven 'Akshauhinis' of army to conquer the Pandavas. Return their kingdom and live in peace.

Then Drona addressed the assembly. He agreed with what Bhishma had said. Being the teacher of Arjuna, he avered that there was no match for Arjuna in the world in the art of archery. Though a pupil of mine, yet he surpasses me in the art., said Drona. Now having obtained divine astras from the gods, especially, pashupata astra from lord Shiva, he is formidable. No one can match him, from your side.

Karna protested against what Bhishma and Drona had said, He said, Duryodhana, I do not know the reason as to why your grandfather makes it a point to insult me. Whatever, may be his views, I am quite capable of destroying the Pandavas army alone. I am not given to such talk bordering on cowardice. Though I am a lowborn, Sutaputra, yet I am not inferior to a Kshatriya, in any way. I shall kiss victory or death in the battlefield, for my friend.

Dhritarastra said, I am always worried that my sons have committed sins and they would get their due. Whenever I remember the dire oaths of Bhima, I get a premonition that he would drink the blood of Dussashan and he would smash the thighs of Duryodhana. The silent rage of Yudhisthira, too appears to be very awesome to me. I feel that my sons would get their just punishments.

Sanjaya stood up again and said, "O king, your sons did not commit any sin, you are the sinner. You helped them to win the kingdom of the Pandavas through deceit. The Pandavas are sons of your brother. Yet you were unjust with them. You shall get punishment for your sins. You shall be a witness to the slaughter of your hundred sons in the war. They shall reach heaven, as they would die in the battlefield like Kshatriyas. They will be remembered for their valour and they will have everlasting fame. Duryodhana's bravery and warrior like conduct shall wash away all his sins. He shall go to heaven. Karna's fame for his generosity and bravery shall last forever. Dying in the battlefield he shall attain the 'Moksha' His fame shall be everlasting. But, sire, there does not appear to be any way, you can redeem yourself. The providence has taken away your external eyes, but it seems your internal eyes of wisdom are also lost. Your condition is very pitiable.