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
"Hearing these words, a loud uproar rose from among those present in
that assembly. And they all applauded Vikarna and censured the son of
Suvala. And at that sound, the son of Radha, deprived of his senses by
anger, waving his well-shaped arms, said these words,--'O Vikarna, many
opposite and inconsistent conditions are noticeable in this assembly.
Like fire produced from a faggot, consuming the faggot itself, this thy
ire will consume thee. These personages here, though urged by Krishna,
have not uttered a word. They all regard the daughter of Drupada to
have been properly won. Thou alone, O son of Dhritarashtra in
consequence of thy immature years, art bursting with wrath, for though
but a boy thou speakest in the assembly as if thou wert old. O younger
brother of Duryodhana, thou dost not know what morality truly is, for
thou sayest like a fool that this Krishna who hath been (justly) won as
not won at all. O son of Dhritarashtra, how dost thou regard Krishna as
not won, when the eldest of the Pandavas before this assembly staked
all his possessions? O bull of the Bharata race, Draupadi is included
in all the possessions (of Yudhishthira). Therefore, why regardest thou
Krishna who hath been justly won as not won? Draupadi had been
mentioned (by Suvala) and approved of as a stake by the Pandavas. For
what reason then dost thou yet regard her as not won? Or, if thou
thinkest that bringing her hither attired in a single piece of cloth,
is an action of impropriety, listen to certain excellent reasons I will
give. O son of the Kuru race, the gods have ordained only one husband
for one woman. This Draupadi, however, hath many husbands. Therefore,
certain it is that she is an unchaste woman. To bring her, therefore,
into this assembly attired though she be in one piece of cloth--even to
uncover her is not at all an act that may cause surprise. Whatever
wealth the Pandavas had--she herself and these Pandavas
themselves,--have all been justly won by the son of Suvala. O
Dussasana, this Vikarna speaking words of (apparent) wisdom is but a
boy. Take off the robes of the Pandavas as also the attire of
Draupadi.' Hearing these words the Pandavas, O Bharata, took of their
upper garments and throwing them down sat in that assembly. Then
Dussasana, O king, forcibly seizing Draupadi's attire before the eyes
of all, began to drag it off her person."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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