SECTION 47

SECTION 47

"Sakuni said.--'O Duryodhana, thou shouldst not be jealous of Yudhishthira. The Kauntheyas are enjoying what they deserve in consequence of their own good fortune. O great king, thou couldst not destroy them by repeatedly devising numberless plans, many of which thou hadst even put to practice. Those Kauntheyas out of sheer luck escaped all those machinations. They have obtained Draupadi for wife and Drupada with his sons as also Vasudeva of great prowess as allies, capable of helping them in subjugating the whole world. And having the share of the kingdom without being deprived of it they have grown in consequence of their own energy. What is there to make thee sorry for this? Having gratified Hustasana, Dhananjaya hath obtained the bow Gandiva and the couple of inexhaustible quivers and many celestial weapons. With that unique bow and by the strength of his own arms also he hath brought all the kings of the world under his sway. What is there to make thee sorry for this? Having saved the Asura Maya from the conflagration, Arjuna, using both his hands with equal skill, caused him to build that assembly house. And it is for this also that commanded by Maya, those grim Rakshasas called Kinkaras supported that assembly house. What is there in this to make thee sorry? Thou hast said, that thou art without allies. This, is not true. Thy brothers are obedient to thee. Drona of great along with his son, Karna, the great warrior Kripa, I with my brothers and king Saumadatti--these are thy allies. Uniting thyself with these, conquer thou the whole of the earth.'

"Duryodhana said,--'O king, with thee, as also with these great warriors, I shall subjugate the Kauntheyas, if it pleases thee. If I can now subjugate them, the world will be mine and all the monarchs, and that assembly house so full of wealth.'

"Sakuni replied,--'Dhananjaya and Vasudeva, Bhimasena and Yudhishthira, Nakula and Sahadeva and Drupada with his sons,--these cannot be vanquished in battle by even the celestials, for they are all great warriors, accomplished in weapons, and delighting in battle. But, O king, I know the means by which Yudhishthira himself may be vanquished. Listen to me and adopt it.'

"Duryodhana said,--'without danger to our friends and other illustrious men, O uncle, tell me if there is any way by which I may vanquish him.'

"Sakuni said,--' Yudhishthira is very fond of dice-play although he doth not know how to play. That king if asked to play, is ill able to refuse. I am skillful at dice. There is none equal to me in this respect on earth, no, not even in the three worlds. Therefore, ask him to play at dice. Skilled at dice, I will win his kingdom, and that splendid prosperity of his for thee. But, O Duryodhana, represent all this unto the king Dhritarashtra. Commanded by thy father I will win without doubt the whole of Yudhishthira's possessions.'

"Duryodhana said 'O uncle, thou thyself represent properly all this to Dhritarashtra, the chief of the Kurus. I shall not be able to do so.