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
One should not give shelter to another who is the friend
of his foes, or to another who is ever jealous of his protector or to
another who is evil-minded. Therefore, O Vidura, go whither-so-ever
thou pleasest. A wife that is unchaste, however well-treated, forsaketh
her husband yet.'
"Vidura addressing Dhritarashtra, said, 'O monarch, tell us
(impartially) like a witness what thou thinkest of the conduct of those
who abandon their serving-men thus for giving instruction to them. The
hearts of kings are, indeed, very fickle. Granting protection at first,
they strike with clubs at last. O prince (Duryodhana), thou regardest
thyself as mature in intellect, and, O thou of bad heart, thou
regardest me as a child. But consider that he is a child who having
first accepted one for a friend, subsequently findeth fault with him.
An evil-hearted man can never be brought to the path of rectitude, like
an unchaste wife in the house of a well-born person. Assuredly,
instruction is not agreeable to this bull of the Bharata race like a
husband of sixty years to a damsel that is young. After this, O king,
if thou wishest to hear words that are agreeable to thee, in respect of
all acts good or bad, ask thou women and idiots and cripples or persons
of that description. A sinful man speaking words that are agreeable may
be had in this world. But a speaker of words that are disagreeable
though sound as regimen, or a hearer of the same, is very rare. He
indeed, is a king's true ally who disregarding what is agreeable or
disagreeable to his master beareth himself virtuously and uttereth what
may be disagreeable but necessary as regimen. O great king, drink thou
that which the honest drink and the dishonest shun, even humility,
which is like a medicine that is bitter, pungent, burning,
unintoxicating, disagreeable, and revolting. And drinking it, O king,
regain thou thy sobriety. I always wish Dhritarashtra and his sons
affluence and fame. Happen what may unto thee, here I bow to thee (and
take my leave). Let the Brahmanas wish me well. O son of Kuru, this is
the lesson I carefully inculcate, that the wise should never enrage
such as adders as have venom in their very glances!'
SECTION LXIV
"Sakuni said,--'Thou hast, O Yudhishthira, lost much wealth of the
Pandavas. If thou hast still anything that thou hast not yet lost to
us, O son of Kunti, tell us what it is!'
"Yudhishthira said,--'O son of Suvala, I know that I have untold
wealth. But why is it, O Sakuni, that thou askest me of my wealth? Let
tens of thousands and millions and millions and tens of millions and
hundreds of millions and tens of billions and hundreds of billions and
trillions and tens of trillions and hundreds of trillions and tens of
quadrillions and hundreds of quadrillions and even more wealth be
staked by thee. I have as much. With that wealth, O king, I will play
with thee.'"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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