SECTION LXIII
(Dyuta Parva Continued)
Duryodhana said,--'O Kshatta, thou art always
boasting of the fame of our enemies, deprecating the sons of Dhritarashtra. We
know, O Vidura, of whom thou art really fond. Thou always disregardest us as
children, That man standeth confest, who wisheth for success unto those that
are near to him and defeat unto those that are not his favourites. His praise
and blame are applied accordingly. Thy tongue and mind betray thy heart. But
the hostility thou showeth in speech is even greater than what is in thy heart.
Thou hast been cherished by us like a serpent on our lap. Like a cat thou wishest
evil unto him that cherisheth thee. The wise have said that there is no sin
graver than that of injuring one's master. How is it, O Kshatta, that thou dost
not fear this sin? Having vanquished our enemies we have obtained great
advantages. Use not harsh words in respect of us. Thou art always willing to
make peace with the foes. And it is for this reason that thou hatest us always.
A man becometh a foe by speaking words that are unpardonable. Then again in
praising the enemy, the secrets of one's own party should not be divulged.
(Thou however, transgressest this rule). Therefore, O thou parasite, why dost thou
obstruct us so? Thou sayest whatever thou wishest. Insult us not. We know thy
mind. Go and learn sitting at the feet of the old. Keen up the reputation that
thou hast won. Meddle not with the affairs of other men. Do not imagine that
thou art our chief. Tell us not harsh words always, O Vidura. We do not ask
thee what is for our good. Cease, irritate not those that have already borne too
much at thy hands. There is only one Controller, no second. He controlleth even
the child that is in the mother's womb. I am controlled by Him. Like water that
always floweth in a downward course, I am acting precisely in the way in which
He is directing me. He that breaketh his head against a stone-wall, and he that
feedeth a serpent, are guided in those acts of theirs by their own intellect.
(Therefore, in this matter I am guided by my own intelligence). He becometh a
foe who seeketh to control others by force. When advice, however, is offered in
a friendly spirit, the learned bear with it. He again that hath set fire to
such a highly inflammable object as camphor, beholdeth not its ashes. If he
runneth immediately to extinguish it. One should not give shelter to another
who is the friend of his foes, or to another who is ever jealous of his
protector or to another who is evil-minded. Therefore, O Vidura, go
whither-so-ever thou pleasest. A wife that is unchaste, however well-treated,
forsaketh her husband yet.'
"Vidura addressing Dhritarashtra, said, 'O
monarch, tell us (impartially) like a witness what thou thinkest of the conduct
of those who abandon their serving-men thus for giving instruction to them. The
hearts of kings are, indeed, very fickle. Granting protection at first, they
strike with clubs at last. O prince (Duryodhana), thou regardest thyself as
mature in intellect, and, O thou of bad heart, thou regardest me as a child.
But consider that he is a child who having first accepted one for a friend,
subsequently findeth fault with him. An evil-hearted man can never be brought
to the path of rectitude, like an unchaste wife in the house of a well-born
person. Assuredly, instruction is not agreeable to this bull of the Bharata
race like a husband of sixty years to a damsel that is young. After this, O
king, if thou wishest to hear words that are agreeable to thee, in respect of
all acts good or bad, ask thou women and idiots and cripples or persons of that
description. A sinful man speaking words that are agreeable may be had in this
world. But a speaker of words that are disagreeable though sound as regimen, or
a hearer of the same, is very rare. He indeed, is a king's true ally who
disregarding what is agreeable or disagreeable to his master beareth himself
virtuously and uttereth what may be disagreeable but necessary as regimen. O
great king, drink thou that which the honest drink and the dishonest shun, even
humility, which is like a medicine that is bitter, pungent, burning,
unintoxicating, disagreeable, and revolting. And drinking it, O king, regain
thou thy sobriety. I always wish Dhritarashtra and his sons affluence and fame.
Happen what may unto thee, here I bow to thee (and take my leave). Let the
Brahmanas wish me well. O son of Kuru, this is the lesson I carefully
inculcate, that the wise should never enrage such as adders as have venom in
their very glances!"
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