Led into the assembly by the door-keeper, he bowed with folded hands. TheCakravartin had him sit down, and questioned him considerately. “Pray, is Bāhubali, my younger brother, well? Suvega, I am disturbed because you have come back so soon. Or rather, dismissed by him, you have come quickly. That would be heroic conduct suitable to my powerful brother.” Suvega said: “Your Majesty, not even a god is able to cause failure of prosperity to him possessing exalted power like yourself. First I spoke to him respectfully about service to the Master, desirous of great benefit (to him), because he was your younger brother. After that I spoke to him with severe words like a sharp medicine that is beneficial in the end. Neither from conciliation nor from sharpness does he consider service to Your Majesty. What, pray, would make a cure in a disease of the three humors? He, the essence of pride, considers even the three worlds like grass. Like a lion, he does not recognize any rival whatever. When I described GeneralSuṣeṇa here and your army, saying ‘What is that?’ he turned up his nose as if at a bad odor. When the Lord’s conquest of six-partBharata is praised, he looks at his own arms and. does not listen.

He said, ‘Bharata took the six parts of Bharatakṣetra because of my indifference, as I was satisfied with the part given by our father. Enough of service to him’; and now, fearless, he summons Your Majesty to battle like a tigress for milking. So, such is your brother, strong, proud, long-armed, uncontrollable, he does not endure the power of another, like a rutting elephant. His vassal-kings in his council. likeHari’sSāmānikas, possessing cruel valor, are not lacking in his feelings. There are his sons also, proud of his great royal splendor, their arms itching for battle, as if he had been duplicated ten times. His ministers, proud, approve his counsel. Such as the master is, so is the retinue. The townspeople also devoted to him, know no other king and endure no other, as good wives will not endure another husband. The country-people, who pay taxes and give forced labor, are willing to serve him with their lives from affection, like servants. The soldiers, who live in forests and mountains like lions, obedient to him, also wish to accomplish his purpose. And now enough, or rather too much, has been said. The hero now waits, wishing to see you, O Master, with eager desire for battle. Henceforth let the Master do what is pleasing to himself. However, messengers, not ministers, give true information.”

Portraying astonishment and impatience, patience and joy, etc., simultaneously, like an actor, Bharata said: “No one, of gods, demons or men, is equal to him. Even in childish sports, this was made quite clear. Even the three worlds seem like grass to my younger brother, the son of the Master of the Three Worlds. This is true; not empty praise. I am worthy of praise always because of him, the younger brother. One large arm alone does not look well when the other is very small. If a lion would endure a fetter; if theśarabha would be submissive; if Bāhubali would be obedient; then, indeed, what would be lacking? Therefore we shall endure his lack of respect. If the people say I am powerless, let them say it. Every (other) object can be obtained by force or money. A brother can not be obtained anywhere, especially such a one. Is this right or not? Why do you stand silent like strangers? Speak the truth, O ministers.”

The general, pained by the Master’s tolerance and Bāhubali’s disrespect as by a blow, said: “Tolerance on the part of the Lord of Bharata, a good lord, the son ofṚṣabha Svāmin, is suitable, to be sure,but for people who are suitable subjects for compassion. If any one would live, even in another’s village, he becomes subject to him. He is not submissive to you, even in speech, though enjoying territory. An enemy, even destroying life but increasing prestige, is better than a relative injuring a brother’s prestige. Kings defend their prestige by treasure, armies, friends, sons, and even by their bodies. For prestige is their life. Was your realm lacking in anything? The Lord’s conquest of six-part Bharatakṣetra was certainly made for prestige. Prestige injured in one respect is injured in all. A virtuous woman who once violated good conduct would be always lacking in virtue. Even in the case of house-holders there is an apportionment of money by relatives. They are not at all indifferent to prestige that has been acquired. A failure on the Lord’s part to conquer in this case, after conquering all of Bharata, is drowning in a cow-track after crossing the ocean. Moreover, has it ever been seen or heard of that anywhere on earth a king is rival to the Cakrin and yet enjoys his kingdom? Whatever affection, arising from the relation of brother, the Lord may have for him disrespectful, that is the sound of clapping with one hand.^[1] If the Lord, affectionate to him who is lacking in affection like a courtesan, forbids us to speak thus, let him forbid. How will even Your Majesty prevent thecakra remaining outside today because of the promise, ‘I shall enter after I have conquered all enemies.’ He, an enemy in the guise of a brother, does not deserve to have his fault disregarded. The Lord should ask other ministers about this matter.”

The Prime Minister, equal to Bṛhaspati, questioned by the King by a look, spoke as follows: “After the general has spoken effectively, who else can speak on this subject? Verily, those fearing the exertion of power are indifferent to the Master’s glory. Generally, agents, even though instructed by the Master to act in accordance with prestige, give answer to suit their own purpose or to increase the difficulty. But the general speaks only to increase your Majesty’s splendor, like a wind increasing that of a fire. Master, the general is like the cakra-jewe. He is not satisfied to leave unconquered even a small hostile part. Enough of hesitation! Order your marching-drum to be beaten like an enemy by the door-keepers this very day. Have all the soldiers with their vehicles and equipment come together at its penetrating sound, like the gods at the sound of Sughoṣā. Your Majesty must make a march toTakṣaśilā to increase his prestige as the sun goes to the north^[2] to increase light. By going h i mself, let the Master see his brother’s brotherliness. Let him know whether Suvega’s speech is true or false.” The Lord of Bharata agreed to this speech. For wise people agree with a fitting speech even from an inferior person.