05.147
Vasudeva said:
Upon hearing Gāndhārī's words, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra addressed Duryodhana amidst the assembly of kings, O ruler of men.
Duryodhana, listen to what I am going to tell you, my son. Do accordingly for your own good if you have respect for your father.
Soma, the progenitor and lord of all beings, was once the enhancer of the Kuru dynasty. From Soma was born the sixth descendant, Yayati, the son of Nahusha.
His sons were five in number, all excellent royal sages. Among them, Yadu, known for his great power, became the eldest and the leader.
Puru, the younger, who is the enhancer of our dynasty, was born to Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva.
Yadu, the illustrious son of Devayani, was also the grandson of the wise and radiant Shukra, O esteemed Bharata.
The leader of the Yadavas, known for his strength and valor, arrogantly disregarded the Kshatriyas, being full of pride and quite foolish.
He, deluded by the pride of his strength, did not adhere to his father's teachings and disrespected his father and his undefeated brothers.
Yadu became powerful on the earth extending to all four corners; he brought the kings under his control and resided in Nāgasāhvaya.
Yayati, the son of Nahusha, in great anger, cursed his son in Gandhara and removed him from the kingdom.
Yayati, in his anger, cursed his sons who were arrogant with their strength and followed him.
The noble king then appointed his younger son Puru, who was obedient and submissive, to rule the kingdom.
Thus, even if the elder is arrogant, he does not inherit the kingdom; the younger ones inherit the kingdom by serving the elders.
Similarly, my grandfather Pratipa, known for his wisdom and as the ruler of the earth, was renowned across the three worlds.
The lion among kings ruled his kingdom with righteousness, and he had three glorious sons who were like gods.
Devāpi was the eldest, followed by Bahlika, and then Shantanu, who was my steadfast grandfather, O father.
Devāpi, although afflicted with a skin disease, was a greatly powerful and righteous king, known for speaking the truth and devoted to serving his father.
Devapi, respected and honored by the virtuous, is beloved by all citizens and countrymen, young and old.
He is wise and truthful, dedicated to the welfare of all beings, and follows the teachings of his father and the Brahmins.
Bahlika's beloved brother Śantanu, who was a great soul, shared a supreme brotherhood with those great souls.
Then, as time passed, the wise and aged king arranged for the consecration materials to be prepared as per the scriptures. The conqueror also ensured that all auspicious ceremonies were conducted.
The Brahmins, elders, and all the citizens and countrymen together prevented the consecration of Devapi.
Upon hearing the prevention of the consecration, the king, with a choked throat, lamented for his son.
Thus, he became generous, knowledgeable in dharma, truthful, and dear to the people, although he was blemished with a skin defect.
The gods do not praise a king with physical defects. With this understanding, the foremost of the twice-born advised against the best of kings.
Then, overwhelmed with sorrow for his son, he passed away upon seeing him dead. Devapi sought refuge in the forest.
Bahlika, after leaving his kingdom in the care of his maternal uncle's family, settled down. He left his father and brothers and acquired a prosperous city.
Permitted by Bahlika, the world-renowned Shantanu ruled the kingdom after his father's demise, O king.
Thus, O Bhārata, I, the eldest, considered by the wise Pāṇḍu, am deprived of the kingdom and defective in limb.
Pandu, despite being the younger king, acquired the kingdom. O conqueror of enemies, with the demise of his sons, this kingdom is mine. How can you desire the kingdom when I am so unfortunate?
Yudhishthira, the noble prince, rightfully owns this kingdom. He is the leader and ruler of the Kaurava people, a person of great character.
He is truthful and ever vigilant, established in the scriptures, virtuous among his relatives, dear to his subjects, a compassionate friend, self-controlled, and the protector of virtuous people.
In Yudhishthira, all royal qualities such as forgiveness, forbearance, self-control, honesty, truthfulness, learning, vigilance, compassion for beings, and discipline are present.
You, the son of a non-king, of ignoble conduct, greedy and wicked-minded among relatives, how will you, being ill-behaved, be able to steal this kingdom that rightfully belongs to others?
O king, give half of the kingdom, free from delusion, along with vehicles and retinue. Then, the remainder of your life shall be with your younger brother.
