03.014
Pancharatra: Krishna says he was away from Dwaraka, else he would have stopped gambling.
Vāsudeva said.
O king, you would not have encountered this difficulty, lord of the earth, if I had been present in Dvārakā before. (3-14-1)
Even if I am not invited by the Kauravas, by King Dhritarashtra, who is difficult to overcome, and by Duryodhana, I might still go to the dice-game. (3-14-2)
I would have restrained the gambling by showing its many faults, having assembled Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, and Bahlika as well. (3-14-3)
O Kaurava, O king, O lord, the king Vicitravīrya was sufficiently lost by gambling for the sake of your sons, thus.
There I shall tell the faults by which you, the son of Vīrasena, were formerly deposed and deprived of the kingdom. (3-14-5)
O lord of men, I would describe the destruction of what is not eaten by the god, as well as the continuity of the context, just as it is. (3-14-6)
O king, women, dice, hunting, and drinking are declared to be the fourfold vices arising from desire, by which one loses prosperity. (3-14-7)
Those skilled in śāstra consider that it should be spoken everywhere. Especially, those who know that see that it should be spoken in gambling. (3-14-8)
Within a single day, the loss of wealth here is certainly a misfortune, and the loss of unconsumed wealth and only harsh words remain. (3-14-9)
O descendant of Kuru, both this and the other, when bitterness arises in connection with gambling, O mighty-armed one, I would speak after approaching the son of Ambika. (3-14-10)
If, thus addressed by me, he should accept my word, then the dharma of the Kurus would be free from harm, O joy of the Kurus. (3-14-11)
O king, if he does not accept my gentle words, and, O best of Bharatas, does not accept the wholesome advice, then I should restrain him by force. (3-14-12)
Now, having thus brought these so-called friends who are actually ill-hearted, and the assembly members, I would create division among all those wicked ones. (3-14-13)
But, O Kauravya, it was my absence during the calamities that led you all to this misfortune brought about by gambling. (3-14-14)
O best of the Kurus, O son of Pāṇḍu, after I arrived at Dvārakā, I heard from Yuyudhāna how you were afflicted, just as it happened. (3-14-15)
As soon as I heard, O king, I, with a greatly disturbed mind, quickly came to you, desiring to see you, O lord of the people. (3-14-16)
Alas, O bull among the Bharatas, we all have indeed encountered difficulty, we who see you afflicted together with your brothers. (3-14-17)
