desire of profit, even like the king in story.
For then, blinded by folly thou wilt have to repent
afterwards, even like the person that killed the birds.
Like a flower-seller that plucketh (many flowers)
in the garden from trees that he cherisheth with affection
from day to day, continue, O Bharata, to pluck flowers
day by day from the Pandavas. Do not scorch them
to their roots like a fire-producing breeze that reduceth
everything to black charcoal. Go not, O king,
unto the region of Yama, with thy sons and troops,
for who is there that is capable of fighting with
the sons of Pritha, together? Not to speak of
others, is the chief of the celestials at the head
of the celestials themselves, capable of doing so?”
“Vidura said,—“Gambling is
the root of dissensions. It bringeth about disunion.
Its consequences are frightful. Yet having recourse
to this, Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana createth
for himself fierce enmity. The descendants of
Pratipa and Santanu, with their fierce troops and their
allies the Vahlikas, will, for the sins of Duryodhana
meet with destruction. Duryodhana, in consequence
of this intoxication, forcibly driveth away luck and
prosperity from his kingdom, even like an infuriate
bull breaking his own horns himself. That brave
and learned person who disregarding his own foresight,
followeth, O king, (the bent of) another man’s
heart, sinketh in terrible affliction even like one
that goeth into the sea in a boat guided by a child.
Duryodhana is gambling with the son of Pandu, and
thou art in raptures that he is winning. And it
is such success that begeteth war, which endeth in
the destruction of men. This fascination (of
gambling) that thou has well-devised only leadeth to
dire results. Thus hast thou simply brought on
by these counsels great affliction to thy heart.
And this thy quarrel with Yudhishthira, who is so
closely related to thee, even if thou hadst not foreseen
it, is still approved by thee. Listen, ye sons
of Santanu, ye descendants of Pratipa, who are now
in this assembly of the Kauravas, to these words of
wisdom. Enter ye not into the terrible fire that
hath blazed forth following the wretch. When
Ajatasatru, the son of Pandu, intoxicated with dice,
giveth way to his wrath, and Vrikodara and Arjuna
and the twins (do the same), who, in that hour of
confusion, will prove your refuge? O great king,
thou art thyself a mine of wealth. Thou canst
earn (by other means) as much wealth as thou seekest
to earn by gambling. What dost thou gain by winning
from the Pandavas their vast wealth? Win the Pandavas
themselves, who will be to thee more than all the
wealth they have. We all know the skill of Suvala
in play. This hill-king knoweth many nefarious
methods in gambling. Let Sakuni return whence
he came. War not, O Bharata, with the sons of
Pandu!’
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