The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,273 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,273 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1.

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.’

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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.