The Slaying of Shishupal

There was no lack of wealth in Indraprastha. The four younger Pandava brothers had conquered the north and south, the east and west, and they brought great taxes and precious gifts to Yudhishthira.

When the well-wishers and friends of King Yudhishthira saw his vast riches, they began to encourage him to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice.

"King Yudhishthira," they said, "in riches, strength, righteousness, and the love of the people, you are the best in every way. From the Himalayas in the far north to the island of Lanka in the southern sea, all have accepted your greatness. They willingly pay you tribute. This is the right time. Great King, now begin the arrangements for the true Rajasuya sacrifice."

Yudhishthira replied, "I too have been thinking the same, friend. Sahadeva, give the order, Great King. The Brahmins have sent word about the sacred chants and the materials needed for the sacrifice. Give orders to collect them."

Sahadeva bowed and said, "Brother, that work has already been done. As soon as the good day is declared, the sacrificial altar will be built."

Just then someone said, "Look, Krishna has come. Sahadeva, do you hear? Go, welcome brother Vasudeva and bring him here."

Sahadeva answered, "Brother Nakula is already with Vasudeva, Great King. I am also going at once."

Soon Krishna entered.

"Victory to the King," he said. "All is well, O King?"

Yudhishthira rose with joy. "Where Krishna is, there is complete good fortune. Come, Vasudeva, come. Without your permission I cannot begin the royal sacrifice. Please give me permission, Vasudeva, so that I may prepare for the sacrifice with my brothers. Or you yourself begin this sacrifice for the good of us all, Vasudeva. There is no one on this earth greater than you in performing a sacrifice."

Krishna smiled and said, "Krishna, before the younger brothers, the elder brother comes first. This Rajasuya sacrifice suits you alone. You are worthy to become a universal emperor. I am only your servant. Whatever work you give me, I will do that. O King, with your permission I pray to the great sage Vyasa."

Yudhishthira said at once, "Vasudeva, may he kindly take charge of this sacrifice."

Then Krishna bowed and said, "O holy sage, O great sage Vyasa, please yourself become the chief priest of this kingdom and take charge of successfully completing King Yudhishthira's Rajasuya sacrifice. O great sage, please bless us."

Vyasa said, "Son Yudhishthira, your wish has been fulfilled. Son, these Brahmins you see with me, shining like sacred fire, are all sages and great souls. Together we will mark out your kingdom and the place of the sacrifice."

Yudhishthira bowed deeply. "Son, I bow to you, great sage Vyasa. Your kindness is endless. Lord Dwar Vasudeva Vedavyasa, please accept my deep respect."

"King Yudhishthira, give your command, great sage," said those around him.

Vyasa then said, "After careful study according to the scriptures, these sages are marking the place of your sacrifice. Around that land, order your craftsmen to build beautiful pavilions."

"Your order is on my head, great sage," Yudhishthira replied.

The wise sages Jajna Rishi, Dhaumya Muni, and their students gathered together. They discussed and judged everything according to the scriptures. After long thought, they chose the proper place for Yudhishthira's royal rites and the sacrifice. Then, with great ceremony, the building began—royal pavilions and many large guest houses for all who would come.

Meanwhile, by Yudhishthira's order, kings from many lands were invited. From that list of invitation, no Brahmin, Vaishya, or Shudra was left out.

When kings from many lands began to arrive in Indraprastha, Yudhishthira called Nakula and said, "Younger brother Nakula, you yourself take a chariot and go to Hastinapura. Invite Grandfather Vishva, elder Dhritarashtra, teacher Dronacharya, family priest Acharya Khullata, Vidura, and the Kaurava brothers including Duryodhana, and bring them with honor to Indraprastha. Welcome the friends and well-wishers of the Kauravas too, and bring them."

Nakula bowed. "As you command, Great King."

At Nakula's humble invitation, the chief Kauravas of Hastinapura came to Indraprastha, placing the Brahmins and priests in front. Karna came. The friends of the Kauravas came. Duryodhana, Duhshasana, and the other brothers also came to see Yudhishthira's sacrifice.

Yudhishthira left no gap in the arrangements for welcoming the conquering kings and great heroes—King Subala of Gandhara, Prince Shakuni, King Bhagadatta, King Shalya, Shishupala, and Jayadratha. With Haladhari Balarama in front, the Yadava kings, princes, and warriors also came one by one to Indraprastha.

There was no lack of dance, song, food, drink, or anything else. Countless jewels and treasures were given as gifts. In Yudhishthira's royal sacrifice, each person gave as much as he could. Every king thought that perhaps the cost of the great sacrifice would be met by the wealth he had given.

When Indraprastha and the guest houses were full of joy and celebration, Yudhishthira came with Nakula and Sahadeva to the wise Bhishma, Kripa, and Vidura. He bowed down to the ground before them.

"O best teachers," he said, "please accept the full prostration of your servant Yudhishthira."

They blessed him. "May you live long, son. Be victorious. May your great sacrifice be successful."

Then Yudhishthira said, "O King, all the wealth and glory in my kingdom I offer in your service. Revered elders, think of me as your servant. Whatever order you give me, I will do exactly that."

Bhishma said, "Child Yudhishthira, no one can complete this great work alone. According to each person's importance and skill, give each one a duty. Only then will this great sacrifice of yours succeed."

Yudhishthira folded his hands. "As you command, revered teacher. Your order is forever on my head."

Remembering his teacher's words, Yudhishthira began assigning duties. He gave Ashwatthama the duty of welcoming the Brahmins. He placed Sanjaya in the service of the kings. Kripacharya took charge of receiving treasure and giving gifts. Vidura was given the duty of watching how much was spent in each matter. Duhshasana took charge of food and water. Duryodhana came forward to receive gifts and offerings. And giving the highest honor to Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthira seated him as the lord over the sacrificial ground.

In that huge undertaking, Yudhishthira declared that the decisions of Bhishma and Dronacharya would be final in all matters—what work should be done, when it should be done, and how important each duty was.

After giving everyone their duties, he came and stood before Krishna.

"Keshava," he said, "I cannot understand which work would be right for you."

Krishna answered, "Great King, I have chosen a duty for myself. Now I only wait for your permission."

"Tell me, Keshava, what duty do you want to take?"

"Great King, I will stand outside the entrance and wash the feet of all the Brahmins who come here. Kishob, please do not deprive me of this chance to earn merit, Great King."

Yudhishthira said softly, "I do not have the power to stop your wish, Keshava. Very well, let it be so."

Taking with me the great sages Jajna Rishi, Dhaumya, Paila Muni, and other holy men, I, Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa, came and sat in the seat of the chief priest.

The great sacrifice began. Mantras were chanted. Hymns were recited. Offerings were placed into the sacred fire. The great sacrifice moved forward in splendor and was completed with all rites.

As gifts for the Brahmins, many gold coins, cows, and shining vessels were given. The other classes too were given proper gifts according to custom.

Then came that long-awaited day of consecration. At the end of the Rajasuya sacrifice, King Yudhishthira would be consecrated to the seat of emperor.

Around the sacrificial altar, the vow-keeping Brahmins and sages shone brightly. With their united chanting, recitation of the Vedas, and study of scripture, the sacrificial ground looked bright like the assembly of Brahma the Creator. Seeing the colorful gathering of countless Kshatriya kings of the earth, the princesses of Hastinapura were filled with wonder.

At that pure, grave, royal sacrificial place, the divine sage Narada entered.

"Divine sage Narada, please accept my greetings."

"O divine sage, I bow to you with devotion."

Narada said, "Narayana, Narayana. May there be welfare, O King. May all be happy."

The divine sage sat in the seat kept for him. Then, with a smiling face, he looked over the whole assembly. Seeing the gathering filled with countless Kshatriyas, he grew quiet within himself and began to think.

"The Creator Narayana himself had ordered the gods that, by killing one another, they would return again to heaven. I see that time is not far away. Since Narayana himself has come, then these Kshatriya kings must be parts of those gods. All of them will be destroyed together. Narayana himself will truly destroy the Kshatriyas. This truth has become clear to me like daylight. Narayana, Narayana."

After the sacrifice was over, Bhishma, son of Ganga, called Yudhishthira and said, "King Yudhishthira, now prepare to worship the worthiest one. Teacher, chief priest, one learned in the Vedas, householder, king, and dearest friend—these six are worthy of worship. Unless fortune is very kind, these six are not found together. Yudhishthira, all these six kinds of people are present in your assembly. After a long time, they have all gathered to bless you. You may offer gifts of honor to all of them. But if you wish to offer only one such gift, there is a way to choose."

"Please tell me that way also, Grandfather," said Yudhishthira.

Bhishma replied, "Great King, among these six, you may offer the gift to the one who is best in every way. That offering will be meaningful."

Yudhishthira said, "Grandfather, all the honored guests sitting in this assembly are the best in their own fields. I do not have the courage to choose the best among them. If I must offer the gift to only one person, then whom should I give it to? Please tell me."

Bhishma said, "King Yudhishthira, the greatest man is right before your eyes. As the sun lights up a dark place among countless stars and planets, so Vasudeva Krishna lights up this assembly. In splendor, strength, and valor, Krishna is the greatest man among all the men present in this assembly. Offer this gift to him, Great King."

Yudhishthira bowed. "As you command, Grandfather. I will offer the chief gift of this Rajasuya sacrifice to Vasudeva. Son Sahadeva, on behalf of King Yudhishthira, offer this Rajasuya gift to Vasudeva."

Sahadeva answered, "Your order is on my head, Grandfather. O Vasudeva, O Keshava, please kindly accept this offering of King Yudhishthira. By offering this to you, I am blessed."

Krishna said, "I am happy to accept your offering, Sahadeva. Accept my blessings."

At once, a harsh voice broke through the assembly.

"What have you done, Yudhishthira? Why did you do this unjust act at the end of such a great sacrifice?"

Yudhishthira turned and said, "What wrong have I done? Please tell me, honored King of Chedi."

Shishupala rose in anger. "Only a king has the right to receive the offering of this Rajasuya sacrifice. The one to whom you gave it today, this Krishna, is not a king. Then how does he receive your worship? I cannot support this action of yours, son of Dharma. This is the greatest mistake of the Pandavas."

Then he said again, "Is this really a mistake, or did you do it knowingly, Yudhishthira?"

Yudhishthira answered humbly, "Please forgive me, King of Chedi. I acted by the command of Grandfather Vishva. Besides, I too believe that Vasudeva Krishna is worthy in every way."

Shishupala laughed bitterly. "Has Grandfather Vishva grown old and lost his wisdom? There is no knowing what he may say. And you, you are only young boys. He has led you astray. And you too listened to him and did such a great wrong. Vishva, people worship you as righteous. They do not know your true nature. There is no one here more unrighteous than you."

Arjuna rose at once. "King of Chedi, whom are you speaking to like this?"

But Yudhishthira said, "Arjuna, he is our honored guest. Do not speak to him like that."

Shishupala continued, "Brother, calm yourself. Arjuna, you do not know how selfish Vishva really is. He calls whatever he personally wants by the names of policy and righteousness. If you think Krishna is old and wise enough to receive worship, Vishva, then do not forget that his father Vasudeva is present in this assembly. Should not this worship belong to him instead? Well then, do you think Krishna is very dear to the Pandavas? Then what fault did King Draupada commit? He too wants the good of the Pandavas. Perhaps he wants it even more than Krishna."

"King, perhaps you do not know that—" someone began.

Shishupala cut him off. "Oh, I do not know? Your grandfather knows everything alone, is that it? I am amazed at your understanding, Yudhishthira. If you worshipped Krishna as a teacher, then did you forget Drona, the teacher of your royal line? When Guru Drona himself is present in this assembly, how can that Krishna take away his worship?"

Others in the assembly began murmuring. "Yes, yes, that is true. Guru Drona himself is here. Kripacharya is also here. Then what has Bhishma done?"

Shishupala pointed around him. "You see, Yudhishthira? You see? Even your invited guests do not support this action. Krishna is not a teacher, not a spiritual guide, not a king, not even a priest. Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa is in this assembly. Can anyone become a priest by passing over him? Well, perhaps Vishva has become confused, but you know better, Yudhishthira. Your grandfather himself has the power to choose the time of his death. No one else on earth has such fortune. You could have worshipped him at least, and there would have been no fault. Ashwatthama, master of all weapons, the great king Jayadratha, even the mighty Duryodhana were before you. And Karna, the dearest disciple of Parashurama, did not catch your eye either, Yudhishthira?"

Bhima could bear no more. "Shishupala, how can he go on speaking like this?"

He turned to Krishna. "Krishna, will you just sit and listen in silence? Will you not answer at all?"

Then Bhima said, "Very well, if you cannot, then I myself will answer him."

Krishna replied calmly, "Be calm, fierce brother. When elders like Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Kripacharya are seated here, what is the need for useless argument? Let Shishupala say a few words only. Beyond that he is doing nothing else. He has not used any weapon in the sacrificial assembly."

Bhima's eyes blazed. "Not a few words, Krishna, no. I cannot accept this matter as easily as you can. After insulting you so greatly, will Shishupala escape? Never, never. I alone will—"

Krishna stopped him. "Wait, wait, what are you doing, elder brother? Shishupala is not insulting only me. He is insulting everyone in this assembly. He is leaving out no one, not the wise Bhishma, not King Yudhishthira. Then why should I alone make my own insult seem so great?"

Bhima said, "Then why do you not protest, Krishna? Why, seeing such a great wrong happening before you, will you not stop him even once?"

Krishna replied, "Krishna, the time has not yet come, elder brother. Have you forgotten what I promised Shishupala's mother?"

I, Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, was seated there and watched everything with one-pointed mind. In trying to insult Krishna, King Shishupala of Chedi was insulting most of all Bhishma, son of Ganga, who was present in that Rajasuya assembly. He was also speaking ill of Yudhishthira, son of Dharma. Bhishma, Yudhishthira, and the other Pandavas were eager at times to speak, but I remained completely silent. Why? Because of time. I could not ignore time. The time for which Krishna himself was waiting, I too was counting the moments for that same time. No one can move ahead of fate, nor fall behind it. In the middle of that whose beginning and end cannot be seen, a few small bubbles rise and fall for a moment and then disappear into the endless. Just so, before the consecration of Yudhishthira as emperor, Shishupala kept sounding the drums of dark inauspiciousness.

Even after Haladhari Balarama's order, Krishna had still not punished him in any way. Now Shishupala tried to bring the other kings over to his side. Around the sacred altar, he tried hard to beat the war drum.

"All you kings and great kings sitting here," he cried, "let me ask you one thing. You all paid tribute for this sacrifice, did you not?"

"Yes, yes, we did. We all paid tribute," many answered.

Shishupala said, "Yudhishthira, we all paid tribute for your sacrifice. Do you know why? We did not pay it out of fear, or because of your request, or for any selfish gain. You are the son of Dharma, and you were going to establish a kingdom of righteousness. You were to become the emperor of that kingdom. We gave tribute for the establishment of that righteous kingdom, Yudhishthira. But now I see that by answering your invitation we made a mistake. Worship of Krishna is really an insult to the kings. Your title of righteous one is nothing but a laughable joke, son of Dharma."

Arjuna replied sharply, "King Shishupala of Chedi, the whole world accepts King Yudhishthira as righteous. Both older and younger kings honor him. What you have said today about a righteous man will bring its result upon you, King of Chedi."

Shishupala answered, "Arjuna, can you not see the unrighteous act done by the eldest Pandava? Is it really any sign of righteousness to give the offering to Krishna, who killed Jarasandha unfairly like a coward? Krishna was raised by eating Kamsa's food, yet his hand did not tremble at all when he killed Kamsa. Such is his gratitude. By offering honor to him, what greatness of dharma has Yudhishthira shown?"

Then Bhima thundered, "Shishupala, I have heard enough of your shouting. Stop now. If you want your own good, then ask Krishna for forgiveness."

Shishupala laughed again. "Forgiveness? From Krishna? He himself is nothing but a thief. He is not even a king, so why is he stealing the rights of kings? Let us say Krishna and Yudhishthira made a mistake, and Vishva led them the wrong way, but you, yes yes you, why did you allow this wrong to happen, Krishna? Do you not know that you have no honor of your own? Are you so greedy, Krishna? Like some dog that grows proud when it gets clarified butter in secret, you are in that same state, Krishna. You think yourself blessed because you got another's share. Like Vishva, like Yudhishthira, and how will this Krishna be any different from them? I have come to know all your true natures. There is no need for me to stay here any longer."

At this, Shishupala prepared to leave the assembly, taking many kings with him. But Yudhishthira himself rose and went after him. Without sending his brothers, he went himself to bring him back. With gentle words he tried to calm Shishupala's anger and pride.

"King of Chedi," Yudhishthira said, "you did not speak as a king should. To speak harsh and false words is a sin. Why should you involve yourself in that sin? Everyone knows Grandfather Vishva as the greatest righteous man on earth. How can you say that such a one does not understand dharma? You must not insult the supremely wise Vishva in this way. If the elder kings in this assembly do not object to Krishna's worship, then why do you object? You do not know Krishna as Vishva knows him, King of Chedi. This behavior does not suit you without knowing the whole truth."

Then Bhishma himself spoke.

"King Yudhishthira," he said, "gentleness does not suit every place. Do not speak sweet words to one who objects to the worship of Krishna. He who is the greatest among all beings, he who upholds this whole universe, that Krishna is worthy of worship by all. There is no end to Krishna's virtues, glory, and valor. That is why, though many old kings are here, I have kept the highest offering for Krishna alone. It is not only that Krishna has defeated Kshatriya kings in battle. Past, present, future, and all things in creation are at his fingertips. He is present everywhere in the universe. I have served many wise elders to hear of all Krishna's deeds. In the world of men there is no one greater than Keshava. And if foolish Shishupala thinks that worshipping Krishna is wrong, then let him do as he likes. Do not stop him, Yudhishthira."

The face of Bhishma, son of Ganga, had turned red. With firm steps he returned and sat in his own seat. The gravity of the assembly seemed to grow a hundred times deeper.

Then Sahadeva came forward holding the vessel of worship. In a voice deep as thunder he declared, "I will worship Keshava, the mighty slayer of Keshi. On the heads of those kings who cannot bear that worship, I place my foot. If they want war, I will send them one by one to the house of death. And wise and learned kings will surely approve of this worship. Come then, is there any king here who wishes to fight me right now?"

After Sahadeva's roar, not a single king answered his challenge. From the heavens flowers began to rain upon his head. The holy men cried, "Sadhu! Sadhu!"

Then the divine sage Narada rose and said, "Prince Sahadeva, know that those who do not worship Krishna are as good as dead in this world. Never keep any relation with them."

Now in King Yudhishthira's assembly, Sahadeva began the worship of the worthy ones. Touching the feet of the elders one by one and bowing to them, he began to worship Vasudeva Shri Krishna as the worthiest being.

"Om namo jagatpaye namah. Om namo Vasudevaya namah. Om namo Govindaya namah."

When the worship of Krishna was completed, Shishupala grew red with rage. Standing before the kings, he shouted, "O kings, are you still silent after seeing this wrong? The younger Pandava Sahadeva has insulted all of you. Will you not give a proper answer to that insult? I am ready to be your commander. Why do you all not declare war together? I want to see the death of that Yudhishthira, that Yudhishthira and his brothers. Krishna's pride will end this time."

Many cried out, "Yes, yes, Shishupala is right. Sahadeva has insulted us all. And that insult must be answered. They are making Krishna worshipped. They called us here and then treated us with such contempt—let the united power of kings attack Yudhishthira."

Yudhishthira turned anxiously to Bhishma. "Grandfather, if the kings of Aryavarta want to make war together, then Indraprastha will be in great danger. The people here are unarmed. Everyone here is busy in celebration. If an attack happens now, there will be terrible loss. For the good of the people, I do not understand what I should do now. Please show me the way, Grandfather."

Bhishma said, "Child Yudhishthira, do not be afraid. The time has come for Shishupala to go to Krishna, and so his mind has become clouded. As long as the all-powerful Krishna remains still, these kings will go on boasting like insects. When Krishna awakens in his own power, then these foolish kings will enter the lion's mouth like mice."

Shishupala shouted back, "You evil-minded Vishva, I should— you foolish disgrace to your family. Your mind has gone bad. Vishva, who himself is nothing more than a mouse, are you comparing him to a lion and trying to frighten the kings? You are blind, and just as the blind follow the blind, so the Kauravas too follow you. Amazing! Krishna is a cowherd, do you understand? A cowherd. He has no virtues. Besides, he has done the very deeds forbidden by the scriptures. He killed one who gave him shelter, he killed a woman, and yet you tell us to worship him? You are a liar, Vishva, a liar. In truth you are a hypocrite and weak. Because of this weakness you did not marry, I understand. Wearing the mask of dharma, you really practice adharma."

Bhima sprang up. "Shishupala, if I hear one more word from you, I will crush you here itself."

But Bhishma said, "Be still. He is himself moving toward his own destruction. This Shishupala was born with three eyes and four arms. Right after birth he cried like a donkey. Shishupala's mother was Krishna's father's sister. She wanted to abandon such a terrible child as soon as he was born. But at that time a divine voice said that this child would not die now. The one at whose touch his third eye and two extra arms would fall away, at that person's hand he would die. Child Bhima, at Krishna's touch, Shishupala's extra arms and eye fell away. And then Shishupala's mother begged Krishna with tears to forgive her son's offenses. Krishna then promised that he would forgive one hundred offenses of Shishupala. I think that number is now about to be completed."

Shishupala roared, "Enough, Vishva, enough. Do not show your lack of wisdom any more. Do you think I live because of Krishna's mercy? Very well, at this very moment I challenge Krishna to battle. Krishna, if you have courage, come and fight me. I want to send you and the Pandavas together to the house of death. Come, Janardana, fight."

Krishna then rose and spoke to all the kings. "I want to say something to all the kings present here. We Yadavas have done no harm to this Shishupala. Shishupala is my relative. Even so, taking advantage of our absence, this wicked man set fire to Dwaraka and killed the king's companions. Not only that, this sinner also stole the horse of my father's Ashvamedha sacrifice. He even asked for Rukmini's hand without knowing his own worth. I have tolerated him this long because of my aunt. But how greatly he has insulted me today, you have now all seen with your own eyes."

Shishupala answered shamelessly, "So you felt no shame in saying publicly that your wife Rukmini might have been mine? But why would you feel shame? I know all about your sense and wisdom. Listen, Krishna, whether you forgive me or not makes no difference to me, because you can do me no harm."

Krishna said, "Stop, Shishu. Do not speak one more word."

Shishupala shouted, "What will you do, what will you do? Yes, what will you do, what can you do?"

Krishna spoke one word.

"Sudarshana."

At Krishna's call, the Sudarshana discus appeared.

In that full assembly, Krishna sent the discus toward Shishupala. Even though Shishupala tried to save himself, he could not escape. Like a burning sun, the discus rushed at him with terrible speed. Sudarshana cut off the head of that proud hero who hated Krishna.

Some kings in the assembly were struck silent with amazement. Others began to praise Krishna.

Yudhishthira at once ordered his brothers, "Quickly perform the funeral rites of the brave Shishupala and cleanse the sacrificial place."

They bowed. "As you command, O King."

After declaring Shishupala's son as King of Chedi, he completed the Rajasuya sacrifice and Yudhishthira's consecration to the rank of emperor. Until the sacrifice was fully over, Krishna himself protected that sacrificial ground with discus, mace, and bow and arrows.

When the Rajasuya sacrifice ended, all returned with honor to their own kingdoms, raising cries of victory for Emperor King Yudhishthira.

At last Krishna himself came to Yudhishthira to ask leave.

"Great King, give me permission. I will now return to Dwaraka."

Yudhishthira said, "Krishna, by your grace this sacrifice has been successful. By your grace I am today emperor. How can I allow you to go, holding my life in my heart, Keshava? You are the sun of Indraprastha. But you must go to Dwaraka. How can I keep you here, Krishna?"

Krishna replied, "Great King, now this is your time of joy. One should not speak harshly at such a time. Rule and protect your people carefully, Great King. Just as all creatures live by depending on the clouds, and just as the gods depend on Indra, so may your people and your friends depend on you. Become the support of all, Great King. Establish a kingdom of righteousness."

After advising Yudhishthira about his duties, Krishna departed on the road to Dwaraka.

Because of Krishna's blessings and the prosperity of Indraprastha, there was now deep peace in the hearts of the Pandavas. But Yudhishthira still did not know that behind that peace, some terrible destruction was hiding. Still, surely some shadow of fear had fallen on his mind.

After all the guests invited to the Rajasuya sacrifice had departed, I, Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, went to Yudhishthira to take my leave. I knew he would come before me with such a question. It was clear that Yudhishthira was greatly troubled. But I too had no other choice except to tell him that harsh truth.

Would he be able to bear it?

Only time would answer that.