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 continued,--"Thus did Krishna of slender waist cry in
distress in that assembly. And casting a glance upon her enraged
lords--the Pandavas--who were filled with terrible wrath, she inflamed
them further with that glance of hers. And they were not so distressed
at having been robbed of their kingdom, of their wealth, of their
costliest gems, as with that glance of Krishna moved by modesty and
anger. And Dussasana, beholding Krishna looking at her helpless lords,
dragging her still more forcibly, and addressed her, 'Slave, Slave' and
laughed aloud. And at those words Karna became very glad and approved
of them by laughing aloud. And Sakuni, the son of Suvala, the Gandhara
king, similarly applauded Dussasana. And amongst all those that were in
the assembly except these three and Duryodhana, every one was filled
with sorrow at beholding Krishna thus dragged in sight of that
assembly. And beholding it all, Bhishma said, 'O blessed one, morality
is subtle. I therefore am unable to duly decide this point that thou
hast put, beholding that on the one hand one that hath no wealth cannot
stake the wealth belonging to others, while on the other hand wives are
always under the orders and at the disposal of their lords.
Yudhishthira can abandon the whole world full of wealth, but he will
never sacrifice morality. The son of Pandu hath said--"I am won."
Therefore, I am unable to decide this matter. Sakuni hath not his equal
among men at dice-play. The son of Kunti still voluntarily staked with
him. The illustrious Yudhishthira doth not himself regard that Sakuni
hath played with him deceitfully. Therefore, I can not decide this
point.'
"Draupadi said,--'The king was summoned to this assembly and though
possessing no skill at dice, he was made to play with skilful, wicked,
deceitful and desperate gamblers. How can he said then to have staked
voluntarily? The chief of the Pandavas was deprived of his senses by
wretches of deceitful conduct and unholy instincts, acting together,
and then vanquished. He could not understand their tricks, but he hath
now done so. Here, in this assembly, there are Kurus who are the lords
of both their sons and their daughters-in-law! Let all of them,
reflecting well upon my words, duly decide the point that I have put.'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Unto Krishna who was thus weeping and crying
piteously, looking at times upon her helpless lord, Dussasana spake
many disagreeable and harsh words. And beholding her who was then in
her season thus dragged, and her upper garments loosened, beholding her
in that condition which she little deserved, Vrikodara afflicted beyond
endurance, his eyes fixed upon Yudhishthira, gave way to wrath.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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