03.238
Duryodhana said;
Then Arjuna, destroyer of enemy heroes, smiling, after approaching Citrasena, spoke these manly words. (03-238-1)
O best of Gandharvas, you ought to release our brothers, O hero; for these women are truly not fit to be violated while the Pāṇḍavas are alive. (03-238-2)
Thus, when addressed, the Gandharva, by the great-souled Pāṇḍava, said: "O Karṇa, it was after conferring together that we departed—to see the Pāṇḍavas, along with their wives, deprived of happiness." (03-238-3)
But while those words were being uttered by the Gandharva, I, possessed with shame, wanted to find an opening in the earth to enter. (03-238-4)
Then, having come to Yudhishthira along with the Pāṇḍavas, the Gandharvas informed him of our ill-advised deed and that we had been bound. (03-238-5)
I, afflicted and bound, have been taken away in the presence of a woman and come under the power of the enemy—what pain could be greater than this for Yudhishthira? (03-238-6)
Those who have always removed my enemy, by whom I have always been freed—even I, dull-minded—by them my life too has been given. (03-238-7)
If I were to attain death, O hero, being slain in that great battle, that would be better for me than living in such a condition. (03-238-8)
May I gain fame on earth, celebrated for having slain the gandharva; and may the virtuous worlds I attain be eternal in the palace of Mahendra (Indra). (03-238-9)
Hear today what I have resolved, O bulls among men. Here I shall observe the vow of fasting unto death; you all go home. As for my brothers, let all of them also go today towards the city. (03-238-10)
Let Karna and the others, as well as the friends and kinsmen who are here, proceed towards the city today with Dushasana at the forefront. (03-238-11)
I will certainly not return to the city after driving out the enemy unless, having become one who diminishes the pride of enemies, I am also one who brings honor to friends. (03-238-12)
He, having caused grief to his friends and increased the joy of his enemies, upon reaching Vāraṇāhvaya, what shall I say to the lord of men? (03-238-13)
Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Asvatthama (the son of Drona), Vidura, Sanjaya, Bahlika, Somadatta, and all those others respected by elders. (03-238-14)
What will the Brāhmaṇas, guild-leaders, and those who act indifferently say to me, and what shall I reply to them? (03-238-15)
Having stood triumphant upon the heads of my enemies and having advanced upon their very chests, now fallen because of my own fault, how can I face them? (03-238-16)
O blessed one, the ill-disciplined, having attained prosperity, knowledge, and dominion, do not long remain—just as I, puffed up with pride, did not. (03-238-17)
Alas, indeed, how have I committed this difficult misdeed by my own bad understanding and delusion, by which I have come to doubt. (03-238-18)
Therefore, I shall undertake a fast unto death, for I truly am not able to go on living. For after regaining consciousness, who would survive after being rescued from hardship by enemies? (03-238-19)
He, being proud and devoid of manliness, was laughed at by his enemies and regarded with disrespect by the valorous Pāṇḍavas. (03-238-20)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, overcome by anxiety, he then spoke to Duḥśāsana: "Duḥśāsana, listen to these words of mine, O Bhārata." (03-238-21)
Accept the anointing given by me; become the king; rule the prosperous earth protected by Karṇa and Śaubala. (03-238-22)
Confidently protect your brothers as Vṛtrahan protects the Maruts; let your relatives live upon you as the gods do upon Śatakratu (Indra). (03-238-23)
You should always act properly towards Brāhmaṇas without any negligence; and you should always be the refuge of your relatives and friends. (03-238-24)
You should regard your kinsmen as Viṣṇu regards the hosts of gods; protect your elders; now go and take care of the earth. (03-238-25)
While rejoicing all his friends and reproaching his enemies, he embraced him by the neck and said, "Let him go." (03-238-26)
Hearing those words, the distressed Duḥśāsana, with his throat choked by tears, deeply afflicted by sorrow, joined his hands, bowed, and with a faltering voice addressed this speech to his own elder brother. (03-238-27)
Saying 'be pleased', he fell on the ground with a disturbed mind, distressed, at his feet, shedding tears. (03-238-28)
Having said this, the tiger among men declared, "This will never come to pass; the earth with its mountains could be split apart, the sky too could be shattered, the sun might abandon his radiance, and the moon might relinquish its coolness—but this will not happen." (03-238-29)
The wind might abandon its swiftness, the snowy mountain might depart, water in the oceans might dry up, and even fire might give up its heat. (03-238-30)
O King, I would not govern the earth without you. Again and again he said these words: 'Be pleased.' You alone shall be king in our family for a hundred years. (03-238-31)
After saying this, he, O king, seized the honored feet of his elder brother and wept aloud, O descendant of Bharata. (03-238-32)
Then, seeing Duḥśāsana and Suyodhana in sorrow, Karṇa, overwhelmed with grief, approached them and addressed them. (03-238-33)
Why do you both grieve, O Kauravas, simply out of childishness, as if you were ordinary men? Grief does not leave anyone just because they grieve. (03-238-34)
When grief does not remove misfortune even for those who grieve, what ability do you two see in sorrow while grieving? Seize firmness; do not delight the enemies by your grieving. (03-238-35)
O king, the duty has indeed been performed by the Pāṇḍavas — your release. The subjects of a kingdom should always do what is dear to the king. Protected by you, they live free from distress. (03-238-36)
You should not indulge in anger in this situation as an ordinary person would. Your brothers are dejected, with you lying down in this way. Get up, go—may well-being be yours—comfort your brothers. (03-238-37)
O king, today I realize here your weakness of character. O hero, what is surprising in your being released by the Pāṇḍavas? You were at once brought under the power of your enemies, O tormentor of foes. (03-238-38)
O Kauravya, whether by soldiers, residents of the kingdom, or others, whether known or unknown, what is pleasing to the king should be done. (03-238-39)
Usually, the leading men disturb the enemy forces; in battle, they are restrained and also rescued by their own troops. (03-238-40)
All those who live by the army, and all men who are within the kings’ domains, should, coming together, strive in whatever way possible for the king’s sake. (03-238-41)
O king, if it is so that today I have been freed by chance by the Pāṇḍavas and those dwelling in your land, what cause is there for lamentation? (03-238-42)
And it is not proper, O King, that the Pāṇḍavas, O best of kings, did not follow you with their army as you were departing. (03-238-43)
Let those of your men who are valiant, mighty, and do not flee in battle, who have arrived before in the assembly, indeed be sent first. (03-238-44)
You still enjoy the jewels belonging to the Pāṇḍavas even today. Look at the steadfast Pāṇḍavas—they have not undertaken a fast because of you. Arise, O king, welfare be with you; you should not worry. (03-238-45)
Certainly, O king, the inhabitants of the kingdom must do things pleasing to the king; what cause is there for lamentation in this. (03-238-46)
O king, if you do not carry out this command of mine thus, I will remain here at your feet, serving you, O destroyer of enemies. (03-238-47)
O best of men, I am not able to live deprived of you; but if you, O king, resolve to fast unto death, you will become an object of ridicule among kings. (03-238-48)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, when Karṇa had spoken in this way, king Duryodhana then did not make up his mind to rise, having firmly resolved to attain heaven. (03-238-49)
