SECTION XVI
(Rajasuyarambha Parva Continued)
"Yudhishthira said,--'Desirous of the
imperial dignity but acting from selfish motives and relying upon courage
alone, how, O Krishna, can I despatch ye (unto Jarasandha)? Both Bhima and
Arjuna, I regard as my eyes, and thee, O Janardana as my mind. How shall I
live, deprived of my eyes and mind. Yama himself cannot vanquish in battle the
mighty host of Jarasandha that is endued, besides, with terrible valour. What
valour can ye exhibit against it. This affair that promises to terminate
otherwise may lead to great mischief. It is my opinion, therefore, that the
proposed task should not be undertaken. Listen, O Krishna, to what I for one
think. O Janardana, desisting from this act seemeth to me to be beneficial. My
heart to-day is afflicted. The Rajasuya appeareth to me difficult of
accomplishment.'"
"Vaisampayana said,--"Arjuna who had
obtained that excellent of bows and that couple of inexhaustible quivers, and
that car with that banner, as also that assembly room, now addressed
Yudhishthira and said,--'I have obtained, O king, a bow and weapons and arrows
and energy and allies and dominions and fame and strength. Those are always
difficult of acquisition, however much they may be desired. Learned men of
repute always praise in good society nobleness of descent. But nothing is equal
to might. Indeed, O monarch, there is nothing I like more than prowess. Born in
a race noted for its valour, one that is without valour is scarcely worthy of
regard. One, however, possessed of valour, that is born in a race not noted for
it, is much superior to the former. He, O king, is a Kshatriya in everything
who increaseth his fame and possessions by the subjugation of his enemies. And
he that is possessed of valour, though destitute of all (other) merits, will
vanquish his foes. One, however, that is destitute of valour, though possessed
of every (other) merit, can scarcely accomplish anything. Every merit exists by
the side of valour in an incipient state. Concentration of attention, exertion
and destiny exist as the three causes of victory. One, however, that is
possessed of valour doth not yet deserve success if he acts carelessly. It is
for this that an enemy endued with strength sometimes suffers death at the
hands of his foes. As meanness overtakes the weak, so folly sometimes overtakes
the strong. A king, therefore, that is desirous of victory, should avoid both
these causes of destruction. If, for the purpose of our sacrifice, we endeavour
to slay Jarasandha and rescue the kings kept by him for a cruel purpose, there
is no higher act which we could employ ourselves in. If, however, we do not
undertake the task, the world will always think us incompetent. We have
certainly the competence, O king! Why should you, therefore, regard us as
incompetent? Those that have become Munis desirous of achieving tranquillity of
souls, obtain yellow robes with ease. So if we vanquish the foe, the imperial
dignity will easily be ours. We shall, therefore fight the foe."
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