Sri Krishna’s mediation efforts had failed. Hastinapur was gearing up for war. Envoys were being sent to various kingdoms to garner their support, foundries were working day and night churning out weapons of war, troops were being recruited and trained while Duryodhana sat closeted with Karna and Shakuni, discussing military strategy. The blind king Dhritarashtra sat alone in the vacant court, when the guard came and announced the arrival of Maharishi Ved Vyas. Dhritarashtra rose to his feet with folded hands and paid obeisance to the Maharishi. ‘Sire, is there no way to avoid this war,’ he asked with a...