02.055
Core-Pancharatra: Vidhura warns Dhritarastra about Duryodhana.
Vidura said.
O great king, know what I am about to say to you and listen. Just as medicine is not pleasing to one who wishes to die, what you hear may not be pleasing to you. (2-55-1)
When he was just born, Duryodhana, evil-minded and destroyer of the Bhāratas' family, cried out in a discordant voice like a jackal; he is destined to be the cause of destruction. (2-55-2)
You do not realize that you have a jackal dwelling in your house, thinking otherwise. Listen to my poetic speech in the form of Duryodhana. (2-55-3)
The honey-gatherer, having obtained honey, does not notice the precipice; having climbed it, he either sinks, falls, or meets his end. (2-55-4)
He, being deluded by me and the god of dice, is tested as if with honey; he does not realize the downfall, nor the enmity he has created with the great chariot-warriors. (2-55-5)
O great king, you already know that the Andhakas, Yādavas, and Bhojas, having assembled, abandoned Kaṃsa due to his improper conduct in the royal treasury. (2-55-6)
After he was slain by Kṛṣṇa, the destroyer of enemies, on command, all his relatives rejoiced for a hundred years. (2-55-7)
Let Arjuna, appointed by you, restrain Duryodhana. By restraining this wicked one, may the Kurus rejoice in happiness. (2-55-8)
O king, buy the Pāṇḍavas as a crow buys birds with variegated feathers and a jackal buys tigers; do not sink in the ocean of sorrow. (2-55-9)
One should sacrifice an individual for the sake of the family, a family for the sake of the village, a village for the sake of the country, and even the whole earth for the sake of oneself. (2-55-10)
Kāvya (Śukra), who knows everything, understands all states, and is a terror to all enemies, thus spoke to the great asuras when Jambha departed. (2-55-11)
O king, a certain money-changer, out of greed, brought forest-dwelling birds into his house and tormented them. (2-55-12)
O Parantapa, blinded by greed for gold, one who always consumes what should be preserved destroys both present and future gains at once. (2-55-13)
Then, O best of the Bharatas, do not bear ill-will towards the Pāṇḍavas who desire you. One who is deluded in mind suffers afterwards, just as a man who kills a bird. (2-55-14)
O Bhārata, as each child is born to the Pāṇḍavas, accept them like a garland-maker in a garden repeatedly gathers flowers, showing affection again and again. (2-55-15)
Do not, like one who turns trees into charcoal and destroys them with their roots, go blindly with your son, minister, and army towards defeat. (2-55-16)
O Bhārata, who could possibly fight against the assembled sons of Pṛthā? Even Indra himself, accompanied by the Maruts, O king, could not prevail. (2-55-17)
