03.028
Core: Lamentation of Draupadi remembering old prosperous times.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, in the evening, the sons of Pṛthā who had gone to the forest, together with Kṛṣṇā, sat down and conversed, absorbed in sorrow and grief. (3-28-1)
Dear, beautiful, learned, and devoted to her husband, then Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) spoke these words to Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira). (3-28-2)
Surely, none of the suffering of that wicked one falls upon us; it belongs to the cruel, evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra. (3-28-3)
O king, he who made you dwell with me and your brothers, clad in deer-skins, and did not speak a word to any of you, after sending you to the forest, that wicked-souled, evil-minded man did not feel any remorse. (3-28-4)
Certainly, the one who, having an iron heart, committed evil deeds, caused you, who are excellent and devoted to dharma, to hear harsh words at that time. (3-28-5)
A wicked person, together with his friends, brings such sorrow to someone who deserves happiness and not suffering, and the sinful man rejoices in this. (3-28-6)
Not even a tear fell from the four sinful ones at that time, O Bhārata, when you departed to the forest clad in a garment of skin (3-28-7)
Of Duryodhana, Karṇa, Śakuni the evil-minded, the wicked brother of his, the fierce one, and also of Duḥśāsana. (3-28-8)
But, O best of the Kurus, tears fell from the eyes of all the other Kurus, overwhelmed by sorrow. (3-28-9)
Seeing this bed and your former ancient bed, I grieve for you, O great king, who are not deserving of sorrow and are accustomed to happiness. (3-28-10)
Having seen the tamed seat adorned with jewels in the midst of the assembly, and this grass seat, this grief overwhelms me. (3-28-11)
O king, having seen you surrounded by kings in the assembly, and now not seeing that, what peace can there be in my heart? (3-28-12)
O Bhārata, I, who saw you anointed with sandalwood and shining like the sun, now seeing you smeared with mud and dirt, am bewildered.
O king, she who once saw you adorned in white silk garments and great wealth, now sees you clad in bark. (3-28-14)
And whatever food, purified and fulfilling all desires, is taken from your house by Brāhmaṇas in thousands with golden vessels, (3-28-15)
O king, food is given to you, to ascetics, to the houseless, and likewise to householders, and it is exceedingly excellent, O lord. But, O king, as I do not see that, what peace can there be for my heart? (3-28-16)
O great king, the cooks, who were of the highest refinement, served your brothers—young men adorned with polished earrings—with delicious food. (3-28-17)
O king of men, today I see all those living in the forest with wild creatures, who do not deserve sorrow, yet my mind does not become calm. (3-28-18)
Why does your anger not grow when you see this Bhīmasena, the afflicted forest-dweller, meditating, when the time has come? (3-28-19)
O Acyuta, seeing Bhīmasena, who is worthy of happiness, suffering while performing actions himself, why does anger not arise? (3-28-20)
He who was honored with various vehicles, garments, and all sorts of luxuries—having seen him now gone to the forest, why does your anger not arise? (3-28-21)
This Vṛkodara, who is indeed able to slay all the Kurus, endures, awaiting your favor. (3-28-22)
He who, being equal to Arjuna by Arjuna, two-armed, by the many-armed, is like Yama, the ender of time, because of his swiftness in the discharge of arrows. (3-28-23)
All the kings, subdued by his martial prowess, bowed down; and in your sacrifice, O great king, the brāhmaṇas assembled. (3-28-24)
Why does anger not arise upon seeing this Arjuna, the tiger among men, honored by gods and demons, as he meditates? (3-28-25)
O Bhārata, seeing Pārtha, who has gone to the forest, who does not deserve sorrow and is fit for happiness, and since your anger does not increase, I am bewildered by that. (3-28-26)
He who conquered gods, men, and serpents with a single chariot—having seen him gone to the forest, why does your anger not arise? (3-28-27)
He, surrounded by vehicles of wondrous forms, horses, and elephants, seized wealth from kings by force, being a scorcher of foes. (3-28-28)
Why does anger not arise in you, having seen the one who, with a single motion, throws hundreds of arrows, and who has gone to the forest? (3-28-29)
Why does your anger not arise, having seen Nakula, who is dark-complexioned, large, young, the best among warriors in battle, in the forest? (3-28-30)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, seeing Sahadeva, the valiant and worthy son of Mādrī, in the forest, why does anger not arise? (3-28-31)
Why does not anger arise in you, seeing me, the daughter-in-law of the great-souled Pāṇḍu, born in the family of Drupada, gone to the forest? (3-28-32)
Certainly, O best of the Bharatas, there is indeed no anger in you; for, seeing your brothers and me, your mind is not disturbed. (3-28-33)
It is remembered that a kṣatriya is never without anger in this world; but today, in you, O kṣatriya, I see the opposite. (3-28-34)
O Pārtha, a kṣatriya who does not display energy when the time has come is always disregarded by all beings. (3-28-35)
Therefore, you should not show forgiveness towards enemies in any way. They can only be destroyed by your energy; there is no doubt about this. (3-28-36)
Likewise, a kṣatriya who does not become calm at the time for forgiveness, and is unpleasant to all beings, perishes both here and in the next world. (3-28-37)
