02.045
Core-Pancharatra: Duyodhana, Shakuni and Dritarastra plan for a game of dice and send Vidura to fetch Yudhisthira.
Vaiśampāyana said.
But having participated in that great Rājasūya sacrifice of King Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by the sons of Gandhari. (2-45-1)
Śakuni, son of Subala, who was seated with insight, having previously understood the opinion of the well-wisher, that is, Duryodhana, then (spoke). (2-45-2)
After hearing Duryodhana's words, Shakuni, the greatly wise, approached Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, and spoke these words. (2-45-3)
O best of the Bharatas, know that Duryodhana, the great king, was pale, emaciated like a deer, dejected, and deeply absorbed in anxiety. (2-45-4)
You do not properly examine the unbearable origin of the enemy. Why do you not understand the grief of your eldest son? (2-45-5)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
Duryodhana, what is the root cause? You seem deeply troubled, my son. If there is something I should hear, tell me, O joy of the Kurus. (2-45-6)
This bird said to you, the pale and emaciated deer: 'Even as I think, I do not see the cause of your sorrow.' (2-45-7)
O great prince, all sovereignty is indeed entrusted to you; your brothers and friends do not do anything that would displease you. (2-45-8)
You wear garments, eat meat and rice, and thoroughbred horses carry you. Why then are you thin, O tawny one? (2-45-9)
There were very costly beds, charming women, mansions endowed with qualities, and pleasure-grounds, all arranged for comfort. (2-45-10)
All your words are as if bound in speech like those of the gods, without doubt. He, though appearing miserable, is difficult to overcome. Why do you grieve, O son? (2-45-11)
Duryodhana said.
I eat and clothe myself just like a wicked man; I bear fierce anger, enduring it for a period of time. (2-45-12)
He who is not envious, who has overcome his own natures, who remains among others, who desires liberation from afflictions, he indeed is called a person who regards other beings thus. (2-45-13)
Contentment truly destroys prosperity; pride, O Bhārata, and both compassion and fear—one who is possessed by these does not attain greatness. (2-45-14)
That prosperity which I have enjoyed does not protect me, having seen blazing in Yudhiṣṭhira, like a fire in the son of Kunti, causing pallor in me. (2-45-15)
Seeing myself declining while my enemies prosper, and perceiving, as if, the unseen force standing ready within Kunti's son, therefore I am pale, miserable, and thin like a deer. (2-45-16)
Yudhishthira supports eighty-eight thousand householders who are graduates of sacred study, each of whom has thirty servants. (2-45-17)
Every day, ten thousand others enjoy excellent food served in golden vessels in the abode of Yudhishthira. (2-45-18)
The king of Kamboja sent him very precious blankets made of banana plant and deer skins, which were black, dark, and reddish in color. (2-45-19)
There are hundreds and thousands of chariots, women, cows, and horses; and thirty hundreds of she-camels also roam about here. (2-45-20)
O lord of the earth, the kings brought various kinds of gems in abundance to the son of Kuntī at this chief sacrifice. (2-45-21)
Nowhere have I seen or heard of such an acquisition of wealth in a sacrifice as that of the wise son of Pāṇḍu. (2-45-22)
O king, having seen that endless mass of wealth belonging to the enemy, I find no happiness at all, constantly reflecting on it, O lord. (2-45-23)
Brahmins, garden-keepers, and Gomanta, in groups of hundreds, having brought an offering of three kharvas, stand restrained at the gate. (2-45-24)
They took auspicious golden water pots, collected the offering, and then gained entrance. (2-45-25)
The honey that the immortal women do not offer to Śakra, the ocean gave to him in a bronze vessel, the pitcher of Varuṇa. (2-45-26)
Seeing my iron chariot, worth a thousand gold pieces and adorned with many gems, all of it seemed to me as if it had become like a fever. (2-45-27)
O best of the Bharatas, having taken that, they proceed to the eastern and southern oceans; likewise, having taken it, they go to the western ocean. (2-45-28)
But, dear one, they do not go north without birds. And here, a wonderful thing happened; listen to me as I tell you about it. (2-45-29)
When one hundred thousand meals were completed and the Brāhmaṇas had been served, a conch was established there as a signal, and it is always blown. (2-45-30)
O Bhārata, as that conch sounded again and again, I heard its excellent sound, and then the hairs on my body stood on end. (2-45-31)
O lord of men, the assembly was filled with many kings who had come, desiring to see, bringing all kinds of jewels. (2-45-32)
O great king, at the sacrifice of the wise son of Pāṇḍu, the kings served the twice-born like Vaiśyas. (2-45-33)
O king, the prosperity found in Yudhiṣṭhira is not that which belongs to the king of gods, Yama, Varuṇa, or even the lord of the Guhyakas. (2-45-34)
Seeing the supreme prosperity of the son of Pandu, I cannot find peace, my mind burning with anguish. (2-45-35)
Shakuni said.
O truly valiant Pāṇḍava, listen to my method for attaining this excellent fortune whom you have seen. (2-45-36)
O Bhārata, I am well-known among dice on earth; in gambling, I am the knower of hearts, stakes, and distinctions. (2-45-37)
The son of Kunti is fond of gambling but does not know how to play; if invited, he will certainly come. Let him know to play and invite him. (2-45-38)
Vaiśampāyana said.
When Śakuni had spoken thus, King Duryodhana immediately addressed these words to Dhṛtarāṣṭra without pause. (2-45-39)
O king, this master of dice is able to take away the prosperity of the son of Pāṇḍu by gambling; you ought to permit that. (2-45-40)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
I am the chamberlain, minister, and very wise, standing under his rule; after meeting with him, I will ascertain the decision regarding this task. (2-45-41)
He, being truly farsighted and upholding dharma, will declare the proper determination of the matter for the supreme welfare of both sides. (2-45-42)
Duryodhana said.
If the charioteer brings you back, then when you have returned, O king, I shall certainly die. (2-45-43)
O king, when I am dead, be happy with Vidura. You will enjoy the whole earth. What will you do with me? (2-45-44)
Vaiśampāyana said.
But when he heard that distressed and affectionate speech, Dhritarashtra, who was aligned with Duryodhana's views, spoke to the messengers. (2-45-45)
Let the artisans quickly construct my great assembly hall, adorned with a thousand pillars and a hundred doors, delightful and beautiful to behold. (2-45-46)
Then, after spreading jewels and arranging the dice completely, he gently informed me about the well-made and easily accessible place. (2-45-47)
O great king, having resolved for the sake of peace with Duryodhana, King Dhritarashtra indeed sent Vidura. (2-45-48)
Without consulting Vidura, he had no certainty; though aware of the faults of gambling, out of affection for his son, he was drawn in. (2-45-49)
When Vidura, the wise one, heard this, and saw that the gate of Kali (discord) had arrived and the face of destruction had arisen, he approached Dhritarashtra. (2-45-50)
He approached his elder brother, the great-souled one, and, bowing his head at his feet, spoke these words. (2-45-51)
O king, I do not approve of this course of action, O lord; act in such a way that there may not be division among the sons due to gambling. (2-45-52)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
O Vidura, there will be no quarrel among my sons. The gods in heaven will bestow their favor upon us, there is no doubt about this. (2-45-53)
Whether it is inauspicious, auspicious, or even beneficial, or if it is carried out, let the friendly game of dice proceed; this is fate, there is no doubt about it. (2-45-54)
O best of the Bharatas, as long as I and Bhishma are present, nothing that is ordained by fate for these two will ever occur. (2-45-55)
Go now, mount the chariot drawn by horses as swift as the wind, and bring Yudhishthira to Khandavaprastha today itself. (2-45-56)
My effort cannot be restrained, this is known, I tell you. Yet, I consider fate alone to be supreme, by which all this is accomplished. (2-45-57)
Thus, when addressed, the wise Vidura, thinking "this is not so", approached the greatly wise Bhīṣma, son of the river, in great distress. (2-45-58)
