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
"Yudhishthira said,--'I have a hundred thousand serving-girls, all
young, and decked with golden bracelets on their wrists and upper arms,
and with nishkas round their necks and other ornaments, adorned with
costly garlands and attired in rich robes, daubed with the sandal
paste, wearing jewels and gold, and well-skilled in the four and sixty
elegant arts, especially versed in dancing and singing, and who wait
upon and serve at my command the celestials, the Snataka Brahmanas, and
kings. With this wealth, O king, I will stake with thee!'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Hearing these words, Sakuni ready with the
dice, adopting unfair means, said unto Yudhishthira. 'Lo, I have won!'
"Yudhishthira said,--'I have thousands of serving-men, skilled in
waiting upon guests, always attired in silken robes, endued with wisdom
and intelligence, their senses under control though young, and decked
with ear-rings, and who serve all guests night and day with plates and
dishes in hand. With this wealth, O king, I will stake with thee!'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Hearing these words, Sakuni, ready with the
dice, adopting unfair means said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo, I have won!'
"Yudhishthira said,--'I have, O son of Suvala, one thousand musty
elephants with golden girdles, decked with ornaments, with the mark of
the lotus on their temples and necks and other parts, adorned with
golden garlands, with fine white tusks long and thick as plough-shafts,
worthy of carrying kings on their backs, capable of bearing every kind
of noise on the field of battle, with huge bodies, capable of battering
down the walls of hostile towns, of the colour of new-formed clouds,
and each possessing eight she-elephants. With this wealth, O king, I
will stake with thee.'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Unto Yudhishthira who had said so, Sakuni,
the son of Suvala, laughingly said, 'Lo, I have won it!'
"Yudhishthira said,--'I have as many cars as elephants, all furnished
with golden poles and flag-staffs and well-trained horses and warriors
that fight wonderfully and each of whom receiveth a thousand coins as
his monthly pay whether he fighteth or not. With this wealth, O king, I
will stake with thee!'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"When these words had been spoken, the wretch
Sakuni, pledged to enmity, said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo, I have won it.'
"Yudhishthira said.--'The steeds of the Tittiri, Kalmasha, and
Gandharva breeds, decked with ornaments, which Chitraratha having been
vanquished in battle and subdued cheerfully gave unto Arjuna, the
wielder of the Gandiva. With this wealth, O king, I will stake with
thee.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing this, Sakuni, ready at dice, adopting
unfair means, said unto Yudhishthira: 'Lo, I have won!'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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