The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Sabha Parva
Religion
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Sabha Parva
Epic literature, Sanskrit
Vaisampayana said,--"O best of the Bharatas, O great king, if thou
desirest to hear, then listen to me as I narrate to thee everything
again in detail.
"Ascertaining the opinion of Vidura, Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika,
calling Duryodhana told him again in private--'O son of Gandhari, have
nothing to do with dice. Vidura doth not speak well of it. Possessed of
great wisdom, he will never give me advice that is not for my good. I
also regard what Vidura sayeth as exceedingly beneficial for me. Do
that, O son, for I regard it all as for thy good also. Indeed, Vidura
knoweth with all its mysteries the science (of political morality) that
the illustrious and learned and wise Vrihaspati, the celestial Rishi
who is the spiritual guide of Vasava--had unfolded unto the wise chief
of the immortals. And O son, I always accept what Vidura adviseth. O
king, as the wise Uddhava is ever regarded amongst the Vrishnis, so is
Vidura possessed of great intelligence esteemed as the foremost of the
Kurus. Therefore, O son, have nothing to do with dice. It is evident
that dice soweth dissensions. And dissensions are the ruin of the
kingdom. Therefore, O son, abandon this idea of gambling. O son, thou
hast obtained from us what, it hath been ordained, a father and a
mother should give unto their son, viz., ancestral rank and
possessions. Thou art educated and clever in every branch of knowledge,
and hast been brought up with affection in thy paternal dwelling. Born
the eldest among all thy brothers, living within thy own kingdom, why
regardest thou thyself as unhappy? O thou of mighty arms, thou
obtainest food and attire of the very best kind and which is not
obtainable by ordinary men. Why dost thou grieve yet. O son, O
mighty-armed one, ruling thy large ancestral kingdom swelling with
people and wealth, thou shinest as splendidly as the chief of the
celestials in heaven. Thou art possessed of wisdom. It behoveth thee to
tell me what can be the root of this grief that hath made thee so
melancholy.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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