02.051
Pancharatra: Conversation between Shakuni, Dritarastra and Vidura repeats.
Shakuni said.
Seeing this prosperity in Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Pāṇḍu, by which you are tormented, I shall take that away by gambling; let the other be invited. (2-51-1)
Without going and without fighting in the face of the army, I, casting dice, being unwounded, am wise in victory over the unwise. (2-51-2)
O Bhārata, know that the dice and gambling implements are my arrows; the dice are the heart of my chariot, the bowstring is mine, and the chariot is my weapon. (2-51-3)
Duryodhana said.
O king, this gambler is striving to win prosperity from the sons of Pāṇḍu by means of gambling; may this be pleasing to you, dear one. (2-51-4)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
I remain under the command of my noble brother Vidura. After meeting with him, I will learn the resolution of this matter. (2-51-5)
Duryodhana said.
O Kaurava, Vidura, who is free from doubt, will hinder your judgment; he is devoted to the welfare of the Pāṇḍavas, not to mine. (2-51-6)
O Kurunandana, a person should not undertake the work of another just because of capability; for in actions, equality of intellect between two people does not exist. (2-51-7)
Slowly, removing fear and protecting himself, he stands in the rains like wet wood and simply sinks down. (2-51-8)
Neither disease nor death waits for the attainment of the highest good. Therefore, as long as one lives, one should strive to practice virtue. (2-51-9)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
Son, in every way, I do not approve of your conflict with the strong; for enmity creates disturbance, and such a weapon brings trouble without effort. (2-51-10)
O prince, you mistake what is not meaningful for what is meaningful; the entanglement of conflict is extremely dreadful. Now that it has arisen, in whatever way possible, I will release both the sword and the arrows as well. (2-51-11)
Duryodhana said.
In gambling, the rules have been set by the ancients; there is no danger or conflict there. Let Śakuni's proposal be agreeable today; quickly convene the assembly here. (2-51-12)
The gate to heaven, which is to be enjoyed by us, is special; it is equally proper for those who follow that path. Thus, by your own self, act equally, Duryodhana, as the Pāṇḍavas do. (2-51-13)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
The words you have spoken do not please me; do what you find pleasing, O king. But after acting on those words, you will regret it, for such speech is not truly righteous. (2-51-14)
This has indeed been seen by Vidura in this very way; all this was previously understood by following intellect and knowledge. That very thing now befalls the helpless—great fear, the destroyer of the seed of the Kṣatriyas. (2-51-15)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having thus spoken, Dhritarashtra, the wise king, considering fate to be supreme and insurmountable, ruled his men with authority according to his son's words, his mind bewildered by destiny. (2-51-16)
Let them quickly construct for me an excellent assembly hall, adorned with gold and beryl, with a thousand pillars, a hundred gates, archways and crystal pinnacles, extending one krośa in length and of such expanse, by those engaged. (2-51-17)
Hearing his words, the wise and skilled men, swift and without hesitation, quickly did as instructed. Thousands of engaged artisans also brought all the materials to the assembly. (2-51-18)
In a short time, that splendid, jewel-adorned and variegated assembly hall, furnished with various golden seats, was completed; it was described as well-known to that king. (2-51-19)
Then King Dhritarashtra, addressing the wise Vidura, chief among ministers, said: "Go to Yudhishthira, the prince, and quickly bring him here at my command." (2-51-20)
"Let this assembly of mine, adorned with many jewels and splendidly furnished with costly beds and seats, be seen. Let the friendly game of dice take place here, together with the brothers." (2-51-21)
Having understood his son's opinion, King Dhritarashtra, considering this fate to be insurmountable, acted accordingly. (2-51-22)
But Vidura, the wisest among the learned, when thus addressed unjustly, did not approve his brother's words and spoke as follows. (2-51-23)
O king, I do not approve of this sending; do not act thus. I fear the destruction of the family. When sons are divided, there will certainly be quarrel; I suspect this will happen because of gambling, O king. (2-51-24)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
Here, O charioteer, conflict will not trouble me unless fate turns adverse. But truly, by the ordainer, everything in this world acts under the control of destiny and not independently. (2-51-25)
Therefore today, Vidura, go to the king at my command and quickly bring the unconquerable Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti. (2-51-26)
