02.043
Core-Pancharatra: Duryodhana is jealous seeing Pandavas prosper
Vaiśampāyana said.
O bull among the Bharatas, while dwelling in that assembly, Duryodhana slowly surveyed the entire hall together with Shakuni. (2-43-1)
There, Arjuna beheld divine intentions never before seen by him in the city called Nāgasāhvaya. (2-43-2)
Once, in the midst of the assembly, the king, son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, approached the crystal floor, suspecting it to be water. (2-43-3)
The king, bewildered in his mind, pulled at his own garment and, distressed and turning away, paced about that assembly hall. (2-43-4)
Then, mistaking the pond with crystal-clear water, adorned with crystal lotuses, for land, they, still wearing their garments, fell into the water. (2-43-5)
When they saw him fall into the water, the servants laughed heartily; then, by the king's command, they gave him fine garments. (2-43-6)
But when they saw him arrive in that manner, Bhīmasena, mighty in strength, Arjuna, and both the sons of Yama—all of them laughed together at that moment. (2-43-7)
He, not tolerating their mockery, protecting his appearance, did not look at them all together. (2-43-8)
Again, after lifting his garment as if to cross the land, he climbed up; then all those people laughed again. (2-43-9)
He struck the door, which seemed open, with his forehead; then, thinking 'it is closed', he withdrew from the doorway. (2-43-10)
Thus, after employing various deceptions there, O lord of kings, and having received permission from the sons of Pāṇḍu, King Duryodhana then proceeded. (2-43-11)
With an ungladdened mind, after witnessing that extraordinary prosperity at the great Rājasūya sacrifice, he went to Gajasāhvaya. (2-43-12)
As the prosperity of the Pāṇḍavas was afflicted and he, exhausted from meditation, was departing, an evil thought arose in the mind of King Duryodhana. (2-43-13)
O best of Kurus, having seen the sons of Pṛthā joyful, the kings obedient to their will, and the entire world benefiting from their rule since childhood. (2-43-14)
Seeing the supreme greatness of the noble Pāṇḍavas, Duryodhana, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, turned pale. (2-43-15)
But as he went, his mind filled with many thoughts, he kept reflecting only on the assembly hall and the incomparable prosperity of the wise Dharmarāja. (2-43-16)
At that time, Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, being careless, did not respond to the son of Subala, though he was speaking repeatedly. (2-43-17)
But seeing him distracted, Śakuni said: "Duryodhana, from what cause, as if sighing, are you going?" (2-43-18)
Duryodhana said.
Having seen that the entire earth, subject to Yudhishthira's will, had been conquered by the prowess of Arjuna (Śvetāśva), the great-souled one, (2-43-19)
Seeing that sacrifice in such a form, the uncle of Pārtha, just as Śakra among the gods, O greatly radiant one, (reacted thus). (2-43-20)
Burning day and night, completely filled with impatience, he withered like a small amount of water dries up in the clear and bright season. (2-43-21)
See how Śiśupāla was struck down by the chief of the Sātvatas, and there was not a single man there who followed him. (2-43-22)
The kings, scorched by the fire that arose from the Pāṇḍavas, have already forgiven that offense—who indeed is worthy to forgive it? (2-43-23)
That great act was performed by Vāsudeva and accomplished by the prowess of the noble sons of Pāṇḍu. (2-43-24)
Thus, indeed, kings bearing various jewels approach Kaunteya as merchants approach a king with their taxes. (2-43-25)
Seeing such blazing prosperity in the Pāṇḍava, I, overcome by intolerance and acting unworthily, am burning with anguish. (2-43-26)
I will enter fire, or consume poison, or even plunge into water; for I truly cannot go on living. (2-43-27)
Who in this world, possessing courage, would truly endure seeing his rivals prosper and himself suffering loss? (2-43-28)
I am neither a woman, nor not a woman, nor a man, nor not a man; I, who today endure her, such prosperity that has arrived. (2-43-29)
Who, having seen such lordship of the earth and such richness, and such a sacrifice, would not be enflamed like me? (2-43-30)
I am powerless and alone to recover that royal fortune; I see no helpers, and therefore I consider death. (2-43-31)
I believe that fate alone is supreme, and human effort is useless. Seeing how the radiant prosperity of Kuntī's son was thus taken away. (2-43-32)
I had previously made every effort to destroy Saubala; but surpassing all that, he, though aged, remains like a lotus in water. (2-43-33)
Therefore, I consider fate to be supreme, and human effort to be useless. The sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra are indeed declining, while the sons of Pṛthā are always prospering. (2-43-34)
Having seen that prosperity and that assembly, and her in such a state, and being mocked by the guards, I am tormented as if by fire. (2-43-35)
O uncle, please permit me, who am greatly distressed. Convey also to Dhritarashtra the anger that has overcome me. (2-43-36)
