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
"Duryodhana replied,--'I am a sinful wretch, O king, because I eat and
dress beholding (the prosperity of the foes). It hath been said that
man is a wretch who is not filled with jealousy at the sight of his
enemy's prosperity. O exalted one, this kind of prosperity of mine doth
not gratify me. Beholding that blazing prosperity of the son of Kunti,
I am very much pained. I tell thee strong must be my vitality, in as
much as I am living even at the sight of the whole earth owning the
sway of Yudhishthira. The Nipas, the Chitrakas, the Kukkuras, the
Karaskaras, and the Lauha-janghas are living in the palace of
Yudhishthira like bondsmen. The Himavat, the ocean, the regions on the
sea-shore, and the numberless other regions that yield jewels and gems,
have all acknowledged superiority of the mansion of Yudhishthira in
respect of wealth it containeth. And, O Monarch, regarding me as the
eldest and entitled to respect, Yudhishthira having received me
respectfully, appointed me in receiving the jewels and gems (that were
brought as tribute). O Bharata, the limit and the like of the excellent
and invaluable jewels that were brought there have not been seen. And O
king, my hands were fatigued in receiving that wealth. And when I was
tired, they that brought those valuable articles from distant regions
used to wait till I was able to resume my labour. Bringing jewels from
the lake Vindu, the Asura architect Maya constructed (for the Pandavas)
a lake-like surface made of crystal. Beholding the (artificial) lotuses
with which it was filled, I mistook it, O king for water. And seeing me
draw up my clothes (while about to cross it), Vrikodara (Bhima) laughed
at me, regarding me as wanting in jewels and having lost my head at the
sight of the affluence of my enemy. If I had the ability, I would, O
king, without the loss of a moment, slay Vrikodara for that. But, O
monarch, if we endeavour to slay Bhima now, without doubt, ours will be
the fate of Sisupala. O Bharata, that insult by the foe burneth me.
Once again, O king, beholding a similar lake that is really full of
water but which I mistook for a crystal surface, I fell into it. At
that, Bhima with Arjuna once more laughed derisively, and Draupadi also
accompanied by other females joined in the laughter. That paineth my
heart exceedingly. My apparel having been wet, the menials at the
command of the king gave me other clothes. That also is my great
sorrow. And O king, hear now of another mistake that I speak of. In
attempting to pass through what is exactly of the shape of a door but
through which there was really no passage, I struck my forehead against
stone and injured myself. The twins Nakula and Sahadeva beholding from
a distance that I was so hit at the head came and supported me in their
arms, expressing great concern for me. And Sahadeva repeatedly told me,
as if with a smile,--"This O king, is the door. Go this way!" And
Bhimasena, laughing aloud, addressed me and said,--"O son of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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