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,--"Hearing this, Sakuni, ready with the dice,
adopting unfair means, said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo, I have won!'
"Yudhishthira said,--'I have, O son of Suvala, immeasurable kine and
horses and milch cows with calves and goats and sheep in the country
extending from the Parnasa to the eastern bank of the Sindu. With this
wealth, O king, I will play with thee.'"
Vaisampayana said,--"Hearing this Sakuni, ready with the dice, adopting
unfair means, said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo, I have won!'
"Yudhishthira said,--'I have my city, the country, land, the wealth of
all dwelling therein except of the Brahmanas, and all those persons
themselves except Brahmanas still remaining to me. With this wealth, O
king, I will play with thee.'"
Vaisampayana said,--"Hearing this, Sakuni, ready with the dice,
adopting foul means, said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo! I have won.'
"Yudhishthira said,--'These princes here, O king, who look resplendent
in their ornaments and their ear-rings and Nishkas and all the royal
ornaments on their persons are now my wealth. With this wealth, O king,
I play with thee.'"
Vaisampayana said,--"Hearing this, Sakuni, ready with his dice,
adopting foul means, said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo! I have won them.'
"Yudhishthira said,--'This Nakula here, of mighty arms and leonine
neck, of red eyes and endued with youth, is now my one stake. Know that
he is my wealth.'
"Sakuni said,--'O king Yudhishthira, prince Nakula is dear to thee. He
is already under our subjection. With whom (as stake) wilt thou now
play?'"
Vaisampayana said,--"Saying this, Sakuni cast those dice, and said unto
Yudhishthira, 'Lo! He hath been won by us.'
"Yudhishthira said,--'This Sahadeva administereth justice. He hath also
acquired a reputation for learning in this world. However undeserving
he may be to be staked in play, with him as stake I will play, with
such a dear object as it, indeed, he were not so!'"
Vaisampayana said,--"Hearing this, Sakuni, ready with the dice,
adopting foul means, said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo! I have won.'
"Sakuni continued,--'O king, the sons of Madri, dear unto thee, have
both been won by me. It would seem, however, that Bhimasena and
Dhananjaya are regarded very much by thee.'
"Yudhishthira said,--'Wretch! thou actest sinfully in thus seeking to
create disunion amongst us who are all of one heart, disregarding
morality.'
"Sakuni said,--'One that is intoxicated falleth into a pit (hell) and
stayeth there deprived of the power of motion. Thou art, O king, senior
to us in age, and possessed of the highest accomplishments. O bull of
the Bharata race, I (beg my pardon and) bow to thee. Thou knowest, O
Yudhishthira, that gamesters, while excited with play, utter such
ravings that they never indulge in the like of them in their waking
moments nor even in dream.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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