SECTION XLIX
(Dyuta Parva Continued)
Janamejaya said,--"O thou foremost of all
conversant with the Vedas, how did that game at dice take place, fraught with
such evil to the cousins and through which my grand-sires, the son of Pandu,
were plunged into such sorrow? What kings also were present in that assembly,
and who amongst them approved of the gambling match and who amongst them
forbade it? O sinless one, O chief of regenerate ones, I desire thee to recite
in detail all about this, which, indeed, was the cause of the destruction of
the world."
Santi said,--"Thus addressed by the king,
the disciple of Vyasa, endued with great energy and conversant with the entire
Vedas, narrated everything that had happened."
Vaisampayana said,--"O best of the Bharatas,
O great king, if thou desirest to hear, then listen to me as I narrate to thee
everything again in detail.
"Ascertaining the opinion of Vidura,
Dhritarashtra the son of Amvika, calling Duryodhana told him again in
private--'O son of Gandhari, have nothing to do with dice. Vidura doth not
speak well of it. Possessed of great wisdom, he will never give me advice that
is not for my good. I also regard what Vidura sayeth as exceedingly beneficial
for me. Do that, O son, for I regard it all as for thy good also. Indeed,
Vidura knoweth with all its mysteries the science (of political morality) that
the illustrious and learned and wise Vrihaspati, the celestial Rishi who is the
spiritual guide of Vasava--had unfolded unto the wise chief of the immortals.
And O son, I always accept what Vidura adviseth. O king, as the wise Uddhava is
ever regarded amongst the Vrishnis, so is Vidura possessed of great
intelligence esteemed as the foremost of the Kurus. Therefore, O son, have
nothing to do with dice. It is evident that dice soweth dissensions. And
dissensions are the ruin of the kingdom. Therefore, O son, abandon this idea of
gambling. O son, thou hast obtained from us what, it hath been ordained, a
father and a mother should give unto their son, viz., ancestral rank and
possessions. Thou art educated and clever in every branch of knowledge, and
hast been brought up with affection in thy paternal dwelling. Born the eldest
among all thy brothers, living within thy own kingdom, why regardest thou
thyself as unhappy? O thou of mighty arms, thou obtainest food and attire of
the very best kind and which is not obtainable by ordinary men. Why dost thou
grieve yet. O son, O mighty-armed one, ruling thy large ancestral kingdom
swelling with people and wealth, thou shinest as splendidly as the chief of the
celestials in heaven. Thou art possessed of wisdom. It behoveth thee to tell me
what can be the root of this grief that hath made thee so melancholy.
"Duryodhana replied,--'I am a sinful wretch,
O king, because I eat and dress beholding (the prosperity of the foes). It hath
been said that man is a wretch who is not filled with jealousy at the sight of
his enemy's prosperity. O exalted one, this kind of prosperity of mine doth not
gratify me. Beholding that blazing prosperity of the son of Kunti, I am very
much pained. I tell thee strong must be my vitality, in as much as I am living
even at the sight of the whole earth owning the sway of Yudhishthira. The
Nipas, the Chitrakas, the Kukkuras, the Karaskaras, and the Lauha-janghas are
living in the palace of Yudhishthira like bondsmen. The Himavat, the ocean, the
regions on the sea-shore, and the numberless other regions that yield jewels
and gems, have all acknowledged superiority of the mansion of Yudhishthira in
respect of wealth it containeth. And, O Monarch, regarding me as the eldest and
entitled to respect, Yudhishthira having received me respectfully, appointed me
in receiving the jewels and gems (that were brought as tribute). O Bharata, the
limit and the like of the excellent and invaluable jewels that were brought
there have not been seen. And O king, my hands were fatigued in receiving that
wealth. And when I was tired, they that brought those valuable articles from
distant regions used to wait till I was able to resume my labour. Bringing
jewels from the lake Vindu, the Asura architect Maya constructed (for the
Pandavas) a lake-like surface made of crystal. Beholding the (artificial)
lotuses with which it was filled, I mistook it, O king for water. And seeing me
draw up my clothes (while about to cross it), Vrikodara (Bhima) laughed at me,
regarding me as wanting in jewels and having lost my head at the sight of the
affluence of my enemy. If I had the ability, I would, O king, without the loss
of a moment, slay Vrikodara for that. But, O monarch, if we endeavour to slay
Bhima now, without doubt, ours will be the fate of Sisupala. O Bharata, that
insult by the foe burneth me. Once again, O king, beholding a similar lake that
is really full of water but which I mistook for a crystal surface, I fell into
it. At that, Bhima with Arjuna once more laughed derisively, and Draupadi also
accompanied by other females joined in the laughter. That paineth my heart
exceedingly. My apparel having been wet, the menials at the command of the king
gave me other clothes. That also is my great sorrow. And O king, hear now of
another mistake that I speak of. In attempting to pass through what is exactly
of the shape of a door but through which there was really no passage, I struck
my forehead against stone and injured myself. The twins Nakula and Sahadeva
beholding from a distance that I was so hit at the head came and supported me
in their arms, expressing great concern for me. And Sahadeva repeatedly told
me, as if with a smile,--'This O king, is the door. Go this way!' And
Bhimasena, laughing aloud, addressed me and said,--'O son of Dhritarashtra,
this is the door. And, O king I had not even heard of the names of those gems
that I saw in that mansion. And it is for these reasons that my heart so
acheth."
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