The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,393 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,393 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2.
himself, and officiate at the sacrifices of others.  And a Kshatriya, depending upon the bow, should perform sacrifices himself but should never officiate at the sacrifices of others.  And of Vaisya, having earned wealth, should cause the rites enjoined in the Vedas to be performed for himself.  A Sudra should always wait upon and serve the other three orders.  As regards those that live by practising the profession of flowers and vendors of meat, they may earn wealth by expedients fraught with deceit and fraud.  Always acting according to the dictates of the scriptures, the exalted sons of Pandu acquired the sovereignty of the whole earth, and they always act respectfully towards their superiors, even if the latter prove hostile to them.  What Kshatriya is there that expressed delight at having obtained a kingdom by means of dice, like this wicked and shameless son of Dhritarashtra?  Having acquired wealth in this way by deceit and fraud like a vendor of meat, who that is wise boast of it?  In what single combat didst thou vanquish Dhananjaya, or Nakula, or Sahadeva, although thou hast robbed them of their wealth?  In what battle didst thou defeat Yudhishthira, or Bhima that foremost of strong men?  In what battle was Indraprastha conquered by thee?  What thou hast done, however, O thou of wicked deeds, is to drag that princess to court while she was ill and had but one raiment on?  Thou hast cut the mighty root, delicate as the sandal, of the Pandava tree.  Actuated by desire of wealth, when thou madest the Pandavas act as slaves, rememberest thou what Vidura said!  We see that men and others, even insects and ants, show forgiveness according to their power of endurance.  The son of Pandu, however, is incapable of forgiving the sufferings of Draupadi.  Surely, Dhananjaya cometh here for the destruction of the sons of Dhritarashtra.  It is true, affecting great wisdom, thou art for making speeches but will not Vibhatsu, that slayer of foes, exterminate us all!  If it be gods, or Gandharvas or Asuras, or Rakshasas, will Dhananjaya the son of Kunti, desist to fight from panic?  Inflamed with wrath upon whomsoever he will fall, even him he will overthrow like a tree under the weight of Garuda!  Superior to thee in prowess, in bowmanship equal unto the lord himself of the celestials, and in battle equal unto Vasudeva himself, who is there that would not praise Partha?  Counteracting celestial weapons with celestial, and human weapons with human, what man is a match for Arjuna?  Those acquainted with the scriptures declare that a disciple is no way inferior to a son, and it is for this that the son of Pandu is a favourite of Drona.  Employ thou the means now which thou hadst adopted in the match at dice,—­the same means, viz., by which thou hadst subjugated Indraprastha, and the same means by which thou hadst dragged Krishna to the assembly!  This thy wise uncle, fully conversant with the duties of the Kshatriya order—­this deceitful gambler Sakuni, the
Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.