Thus addressed by king Yudhishthira, Vidura, that foremost of intelligent persons, returned to Dhritarashtra and said to hin these words of great significance, 'I at first reported your message to king Yudhishthira, Reflecting on your words, Yudhishthira of great splendour spoke highly of them.

The highly energetic Bibhatsu, also, places all his places with all the riches therein, as also his very lifc-breaths, at your disposal.

Your son, king Yudhishthira, too, offers you, O royal sage, his kingdom and life-breaths and riches and all else which belongs to him.

Bhima, however, of mighty-arins, recollecting all his numberless sorrows has with difficulty given his consent, breathing many heavy sighs.

That mighty-armed hero, O monarch, was solicited by the righteous king as also by Bibhatsu, and induced to treat you cordially.

King Yudhishthira the just has prayed you not to be displeased for the improper conduct which Bhima has shown at the recollection of foriner hostilities. This is generally the conduct of Kshatriyas in battle, O king, and this Vrikodara is devoted to battle and the practices of Kshatriyas.

Both myself and Arjuna, O king, repeatedly beg you for pardoning Vrikodara. Be gracious to us. You are our lord, O king, you can give away as you like whatever money we have. You, O Bharata, are the master of this kingdom and of all lives in it.

Let the foremost one of the Kuru race give away for the obsequial rites of his sons, all those foremost of gifts which should be given to the Brahmanas. Indeed, let him make those gifts to persons of the twice-born caste, taking away from our places jewels, gems, and kine, and slaves both male and female, and goats and sheep. Let gifts be made to also those who are poor or blind or in great distress, selecting the objects of his charity as he likes.

Let, O Vidura, large pavilions be made, rich with food and drink of various tastes collected in abundance. Let reservoirs of water be made for enabling kine to drink, and let other meritorious works be done.

These were the words said to me by the king as also by Pritha's son Dhananjaya. You should say what should be done next.

After Vidura had said these words, O Janamejaya, Dhritarashtra expressed his satisfaction at them and made up his mind for making large presents on the day of full moon in the month of Kartika.