12.014
Vaiśampāyana said:
Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti and king of dharma, does not utter any of the various decisions regarding knowledge spoken by his brothers.
Draupadī, endowed with great lineage, prosperity, and wide eyes, the foremost among women, addressed the king.
He, the foremost among kings, was seated like a bull, surrounded by his brothers, resembling a leader of the herd encircled by lions, tigers, and elephants.
She was proud, always especially towards Yudhiṣṭhira; constantly cherished by the king, and was a knower and perceiver of dharma.
Having addressed her husband with utmost sweetness and gentle words, the broad-hipped lady looked at him and then spoke.
O Pārtha, these brothers of yours are standing, drying up and panting like small birds, and you do not even greet them.
O great king, always cheer up these sorrowful ones with suitable words, just as one would soothe intoxicated elephants.
O king, how, in the Dvaita forest, after having previously spoken thus, were these brothers, together, afflicted by cold, wind, and heat?
We, desiring victory, say: "Having slain Duryodhana in battle, we shall enjoy the entire earth, full of every pleasure."
The subduers of foes, having made the chariots riderless and slain the great elephants, covered the ground with chariots and their riders.
The suffering we endure from living in the forest will, for us, turn into happiness, just as the abundant sacrifices performed with various offerings and gifts bring blessings.
Having spoken thus, O best of the upholders of dharma, how is it that today, O hero, you again destroy the minds (of others)?
A weak-willed man neither enjoys the earth nor acquires wealth. In the house of such a man, sons remain like fish in mud.
O Bhārata, a kṣatriya who does not wield punishment does not shine, nor does he attain prosperity; the subjects of a king who does not enforce punishment do not flourish in happiness.
O best of kings, friendship with all beings, charity, study, and austerity are the duties of a Brāhmaṇa, not of a king.
The highest duty of kings is to prevent the unrighteous and protect the righteous; and in battle, not to flee.
He in whom forbearance and anger, giving and withholding, fear and fearlessness, restraint and favor, both are found—he indeed is called a knower of dharma.
This earth was not gained by you through learning, charity, conciliation, or sacrifice; nor by bribery, but even so, you have obtained it.
The strength of the enemies, which is heroically raised and endowed with elephants, horses, and chariots, is greater with its three divisions.
O hero, the earth which was protected by Droṇa, Karṇa, Aśvatthāman, and Kṛpa has been slain by you; therefore, enjoy the kingdom.
O great king, the Jambū continent, with its many regions, has been subdued by your rod of punishment, O tiger among men, O lord.
O king, you crushed the Krauncha island, which was similar to Jambūdvīpa, with another staff of the great Meru.
O king, the island of Shaka resembles the island of Krauncha; but on the east, the staff of the great Meru has been destroyed by you.
O best among men, Bhadrāśva, situated to the north of the great Meru and measured by Śākadvīpa, was subdued by you with punishment.
O hero, you have subdued the islands, including those with inner islands and abodes of various peoples, having entered the ocean, with your staff.
O Bhārata, even after performing these incomparable deeds, you are not pleased, O great king, though you are honored by the twice-born.
O Bhārata, having seen these brothers, greet them as one would greet powerful, intoxicated lordly elephants, like bulls.
All are like immortals, conquerors of enemies, and distresser of foes; yet, I think even one among them might be capable of bringing happiness to these.
What then of my lords, the tigers among men, the bulls among men? They are like all the senses in the activity of the body.
Your mother-in-law, who is all-knowing and all-seeing, did not speak falsehood. O Pāñcālī, Yudhishthira will give you the highest happiness.
O lord of people, I see clearly that your slaying of many thousands of kings, though quick and valorous, is in vain, due to delusion.
Where the eldest is mad, all others serve him; by your madness, O king, all the Pāṇḍavas have become mad.
If your brothers were sane, O ruler, they would have bound you with the atheists and ruled the earth.
One who acts in this way out of delusion does not attain the good; such a person, who proceeds on the wrong path, should be treated with fumigations, ointments, nasal therapies, and medicines.
O best of the Bharatas, I, who am the most degraded among women in the world, thus, having been deceived by friends, wish to live.
While prosperities arise for those who strive, you, having gained the entire earth, bring misfortune upon yourself.
Just as Māndhātā and Ambarīṣa, who were the best among kings and were approved by all kings on earth, so too, O king, you shine.
Rule the earth, O king, as a goddess, protecting your subjects by dharma; do not be disheartened regarding the earth with its mountains, forests, and islands.
O best of kings, perform sacrifices of various kinds, offer oblations into the fires, and give old enjoyments and garments to the twice-born.
