Mahabharata (English)

by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 2,566,952 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933

The English translation of the Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. It is authored by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and contains the records of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas family. Another part of the large contents, deal with many philosophical dialogues such as the goals of life. Book...

Section LXIII

Duryodhana said,—

'O Kshatta, you are always boasting of the fame of our enemies, deprecating the sons of Dhritarashtra. We know, O Vidura, of whom you are really fond.

You always disregards us as children, That man stands confest, who wishes for success unto those that are near to him and defeat unto those that are not his favourites. His praise and blame are applied accordingly. Your tongue and mind betray your heart. But the hostility you showes in speech is even greater than what is in your heart.

You have been cherished by us like a serpent on our lap. Like a cat you wishest evil unto him that cherishes you. The wise have said that there is no sin graver than that of injuring one’s master.

How is it, O Kshatta, that you dost not fear this sin? Having vanquished our enemies we have obtained great advantages. Use not harsh words in respect of us.

You are always willing to make peace with the foes. And it is for this reason that you hatest us always. A man becomes a foe by speaking words that are unpardonable. Then again in praising the enemy, the secrets of one’s own party should not be divulged. (You however, transgressest this rule).

Therefore, O you parasite, why dost {GL_PAGE:121':}you obstruct us so? You sayest whatever you wishest. Insult us not. We know your mind. Go and learn sitting at the feet of the old. Keen up the reputation that you have won. Meddle not with the affairs of other men.

Do not imagine that you are our chief. Tell us not harsh words always, O Vidura.

We do not ask you what is for our good. Cease, irritate not those that have already borne too much at your hands. There is only one Controller, no second. He controls even the child that is in the mother’s womb. I am controlled by Him. Like water that always flows in a downward course, I am acting precisely in the way in which He is directing me.

He that breaks his head against a stone-wall, and he that feeds a serpent, are guided in those acts of theirs by their own intellect. (Therefore, in this matter I am guided by my own intelligence). He becomes a foe who seeks to control others by force. When advice, however, is offered in a friendly spirit, the learned bear with it.

He again that has set fire to such a highly inflammable object as camphor, beholds not its ashes. If he runs immediately to extinguish it. One should not give shelter to another who is the friend of his foes, or to another who is ever jealous of his protector or to another who is evil-minded.

Therefore, O Vidura, go whither-so-ever you pleasest. A wife that is unchaste, however well-treated, forsakes her husband yet.'

"Vidura addressing Dhritarashtra, said,

'O monarch, tell us (impartially) like a witness what you think of the conduct of those who abandon their serving-men thus for giving instruction to them. The hearts of kings are, indeed, very fickle. Granting protection at first, they strike with clubs at last.

O prince (Duryodhana), you regardest thyself as mature in intellect, and, O you of bad heart, you regardest me as a child. But consider that he is a child who having first accepted one for a friend, subsequently finds fault with him.

An evil-hearted man can never be brought to the path of rectitude, like an unchaste wife in the house of a well-born person. Assuredly, instruction is not agreeable to this bull of the Bharata race like a husband of sixty years to a damsel that is young.

After this, O king, if you wishest to hear words that are agreeable to you, in respect of all acts good or bad, ask you women and idiots and cripples or persons of that description.

A sinful man speaking words that are agreeable may be had in this world. But a speaker of words that are disagreeable though sound as regimen, or a hearer of the same, is very rare. He indeed, is a king’s true ally who disregarding what is agreeable or disagreeable to his master bears himself virtuously and utters what may be disagreeable but necessary as regimen.

O great king, drink you that which the honest drink and the dishonest shun, even humility, which is like a medicine that is bitter, pungent, burning, unintoxicating, disagreeable, and revolting.

And drinking it, O king, regain you your sobriety. I always wish Dhritarashtra and his sons affluence and fame. Happen what may unto you, here I bow to you (and take my leave). Let the Brahmanas wish me well.

O son of Kuru, this is the lesson I carefully inculcate, that the wise should never enrage such as adders as have venom in their very glances!"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section LXIII of Book 2 (Sabha Parva) of the Mahabharata, of which an English translation is presented on this page. This book is famous as one of the Itihasa, similair in content to the eighteen Puranas. Book 2 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Which keywords occur in Section LXIII of Book 2 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Vidura, Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana, Kshatta, Bharata, Brahmanas; since these occur the most in Book 2, Section LXIII. There are a total of 7 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 14 times.

What is the name of the Parva containing Section LXIII of Book 2?

Section LXIII is part of the Sisupala-badha Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 2 (Sabha Parva). The Sisupala-badha Parva contains a total of 42 sections while Book 2 contains a total of 7 such Parvas.

Can I buy a print edition of Section LXIII as contained in Book 2?

Yes! The print edition of the Mahabharata contains the English translation of Section LXIII of Book 2 and can be bought on the main page. The author is Kisari Mohan Ganguli and the latest edition (including Section LXIII) is from 2012.

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