05.132
Library: The story of Vibhavari continued...
Vidura spoke:
Then, in this state, if you wish to abandon your manliness, you will soon follow the path taken by the lowly.
A warrior who does not display his strength according to his ability and valor, and is desirous of life, is indeed known as a thief.
Meaningful and appropriate statements, even if virtuous, do not reach you, just as medicine does not reach a dying person.
There are indeed many people satisfied with Sindhuraja. However, due to weakness, fools sit idly, awaiting a multitude of misfortunes.
After gathering allies and making efforts repeatedly, others would not envy you upon seeing your valor.
By forming alliances with mountain fortresses, they move, desiring disaster in time, yet this one is not immortal.
Sanjaya, you are known by name, but I do not see that in reality. My son, be true to your name and do not be one who is falsely named.
The wise Brahmin told you, the child, that after facing great difficulties, this person will grow again.
Recalling his words, I am hopeful for your success. Hence, dear one, I tell you, I will continue to speak repeatedly.
Indeed, when others are nourished in the accomplishment of one's purpose, success is assured in policies that align with that purpose.
O Sanjaya, whether there is prosperity or not from our ancestors, be wise and ready for battle, do not counteract.
Śambara lamented the dire situation, noting that there was no worse condition than the current one, where food was not available either today or in the morning.
The supreme sorrow from the killing of husband and son was expressed. It is said that poverty is indeed synonymous with death.
I was born into a noble family and have transitioned seamlessly, like moving from one lake to another. As a goddess, I am greatly revered by my husband, who embodies all that is auspicious.
Once, when my friends saw me adorned with expensive garlands and ornaments, dressed in clean clothes, they later saw me in a very poor state.
When you see both me and my wife in a very weakened state, Sanjaya, you will find no purpose in life.
Seeing the servants, laborers, dependents, teachers, priests, and family priests abandoning us without any means of livelihood, what is the point of your life?
If I do not see your duty here today as it was before, what praiseworthy glory and peace of heart can I have?
If I were to tell the Brahmins, "No, it is not so," it would break my heart. Indeed, neither I nor my husband said this to the Brahmin.
We were meant to rely on ourselves, not be dependent on others. Depending on others for living, I will abandon life.
Be our boundless boat in the shoreless sea; create a place where there is none, and bring our dead back to life.
All those enemies can be endured if you do not wish to live. However, if you choose to adopt such cowardly behavior.
Disheartened and dejected, you should abandon this sinful way of living. A hero gains fame by defeating even a single enemy.
Indra, by killing Vṛtra, truly became the great Indra. He acquired the position of Māhendra and became the lord of all worlds.
Announce the name or call the provoked enemies in battle, scatter the army front, or kill the best man.
When a hero gains great fame through a noble battle, his enemies become distressed and bow down to him.
Cowardly men, having abandoned their capable and heroic selves in battle, helplessly fulfill all desires.
The virtuous indeed manage what remains of a kingdom, a great downfall, a doubt of life, or the deception of an enemy.
The kingdom, resembling the gate of heaven or like nectar, was blocked in a single path, perceived as a blazing firebrand among enemies.
O king, conquer your enemies in battle and uphold your duty. Never let the enemy see you as pitiable, O prosperous one.
Even amidst our lamenting and crying people and others, I would not see you, distressed and miserable, in such a state.
After staying with the daughters of Sauvīra, praised and with purpose as before, do not fall under the control of the daughters of Sindhu, feeling downcast.
A young man, endowed with beauty, knowledge, and noble birth, who acts like you, is famous and renowned in the world. Bearing burdens like a beast of burden, I think that is akin to death itself.
If I see you speaking pleasantly to someone else or following them, how can my heart be at peace?
In this family, no one born should ever follow behind another. Dear son, you should not live under the control of another.
I truly understand the eternal essence of a warrior's heart, as spoken by the ancients, the more ancient, others, and even the most ancient.
Any warrior born here, who understands the duty of a warrior, should not bow to anyone out of fear or mere observance of conduct.
Effort should be like the rising sun, never bowing down, as it represents true manliness. Even in adversity, it may break but should not bow to anyone here.
The wise person, like an intoxicated elephant, should roam freely and consistently show respect to the Brahmins and uphold Dharma, O Sanjaya.
One should control others' appearances and destroy all misdeeds, whether with help or without, for as long as one lives.
