Section LIII

"Dhritrashtra said,—

You are my eldest son and born also of my eldest wife. Therefore, O son, be not jealous of the Pandavas. He that is jealous is always unhappy and suffers the pangs of death.

O bull of the Bharata race, Yudhishthira knows not deception, possesses wealth equal unto thine, has your friends for his, and is not jealous of you.

Why should you, therefore, be jealous of him? O king, in respect of friends and allies you are equal unto Yudhishthira. Why should you, therefore, covet, from folly, the property of your brother? Be not so. Cease to be jealous. Do not grieve.

O bull of the Bharata race, it you covetest the dignity attaching to the performance of a sacrifice, let the priests arrange for you the great sacrifice, called the Saptatantu. The kings of the earth will then, cheerfully and with great respect, bring for you also much wealth and gems and ornaments.

O child, coveting other’s possessions is exceedingly mean. He, on the other hand, enjoys happiness, who is content with his own being engaged in the practices of his own order.

Never striving to obtain the wealth of others, persevering in one’s own affairs, and protecting what has been earned,—these are the indications of true greatness. He that is unmoved in calamity, skilled in his own business, ever exerting vigilant and humble, always beholds prosperity.

The sons of Pandu are as your arms. Do not lop off those arms of thine. Plunge not into internal dissensions for the sake of that wealth of your brothers.

O king, be not jealous of the sons of Pandu. Your wealth is equal unto that of your brothers in his entirety.

There is great sin in quarrelling with friends. They that are your grandsires are theirs also. Give away in charity on occasions of sacrifices, gratify every dear object of your desire, disport in the company of women freely, and enjoy you peace.'"