SECTION –XXVIII
(Arjunabhigamana Parva Continued)
"Draupadi continued, 'On this subject, the
ancient story of the conversation between Prahlada and Vali, the son of
Virochana, is quoted as an example. One day Vali asked his grand-father
Prahlada, the chief of the Asuras and the Danavas, possessed of great wisdom
and well-versed in the mysteries of the science of duty, saying, 'O sire, is
forgiveness meritorious or might and energy such? I am puzzled as regards this;
O sire, enlighten me who ask thee this! O thou conversant with all duties, tell
me truly which of these is meritorious? I will strictly obey whatever thy
command may be! Thus asked (by Vali), his wise grandfather, conversant with
every conclusion, replied upon the whole subject unto his grand-son who had
sought at his hands the resolution of his doubts. And Prahlada said, 'Know, O
child, these two truths with certainty, viz., that might is not always
meritorious and forgiveness also is not always meritorious! He that forgiveth
always suffereth many evils. Servants and strangers and enemies always
disregard him. No creature ever bendeth down unto him. Therefore it is, O
child, that the learned applaud not a constant habit of forgiveness! The
servants of an ever-forgiving person always disregard him, and contract
numerous faults. These mean-minded men also seek to deprive him of his wealth.
Vile souled servants also appropriate to themselves his vehicles and clothes
and ornaments and apparel and beds and seats and food and drink and other
articles of use. They do not also at the command of their master, give unto
others the things they are directed to give Nor do they even worship their
master with that respect which is their master's due. Disregard in this world
is worse than death. O child, sons and servants and attendants and even strangers
speak harsh words unto the man who always forgiveth. Persons, disregarding the
man of an ever-forgiving temper, even desire his wife, and his wife also,
becometh ready to act as she willeth. And servants also that are ever fond of
pleasure, if they do not receive even slight punishments from their master,
contract all sorts of vices, and the wicked ever injure such a master. These
and many other demerits attach to those that are ever-forgiving!
"Listen now, O son of Virochana, to the
demerits of those that are never forgiving! The man of wrath who, surrounded by
darkness, always inflicteth, by help of his own energy, various kinds of
punishment on persons whether they deserve them or not, is necessarily
separated from his friends in consequence of that energy of his. Such a man is
hated by both relatives and strangers. Such a man, because he insulteth others,
suffereth loss of wealth and reapeth disregard and sorrow and hatred and
confusion and enemies. The man of wrath, in consequence of his ire, inflicteth
punishments on men and obtaineth (in return) harsh words. He is divested of his
prosperity soon and even of life, not to say, of friends and relatives. He that
putteth forth his might both upon his benefactor and his foe, is an object of
alarm to the world, like a snake that hath taken shelter in a house, to the
inmates thereof. What prosperity can he have who is an object of alarm to the
world? People always do him an injury when they find a hole. Therefore, should
men never exhibit might in excess nor forgiveness on all occasions. One should
put forth his might and show his forgiveness on proper occasions. He that
becometh forgiving at the proper time and harsh and mighty also at the proper
time, obtaineth happiness both in this world and the other.
"'I shall now indicate the occasions in
detail of forgiveness, as laid down by the learned, and which should ever be
observed by all. Hearken unto me as I speak! He that hath done thee a service,
even if he is guilty of a grave wrong unto thee, recollecting his former
service, shouldst thou forgive that offender. Those also that have become
offenders from ignorance and folly should be forgiven for learning and wisdom
are not always easily attainable by man. They that having offended thee
knowingly, plead ignorance should be punished, even if their offences be
trivial. Such crooked men should never be pardoned. The first offence of every
creature should be forgiven. The second offence, however, should be punished,
even if it be trivial. If, however, a person commiteth an offence unwillingly,
it hath been said that examining his plea well by a judicious enquiry, he
should be pardoned. Humility may vanquish might, humility may vanquish
weakness. There is nothing that humility may not accomplish. Therefore, humility
is truly fiercer (than it seemeth)! One should act with reference to place and
time, taking note of his own might or weakness. Nothing can succeed that hath
been undertaken without reference to place and time. Therefore, do thou ever
wait for place and time! Sometimes offenders should be forgiven from fear of
the people. These have been declared to be times of forgiveness. And it hath
been said that on occasions besides these, might should be put forth against
transgressors.'
"Draupadi continued, 'I, therefore, regard,
O king, that the time hath come for thee to put forth thy might! Unto those
Kurus the covetous sons of Dhritarashtra who injure us always, the present is
not the time for forgiveness! It behoveth thee to put forth thy might. The humble
and forgiving person is disregarded; while those that are fierce persecute
others. He, indeed, is a king who hath recourse to both, each according to its
time!'"
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