SECTION
5
"Vaisampayana
said, 'Desirous of living in the forest, the Kauntheyas, with their followers,
setting out from the banks of the Ganges went to the field of Kurukshetra. And
performing their ablutions in the Saraswati, the Drisadwati and the Yamuna,
they went from one forest to another, travelling in an westernly direction. And
at length they saw before them the woods, Kamyaka, the favourite haunt of
Munis, situated by a level and wild plain on the banks of the Saraswati. And in
those woods, abounding in birds and deer, those heroes began to dwell,
entertained and comforted by the Munis. And Vidura always longing to see the Kauntheyas,
went in a single car to the Kamyaka woods abounding in every good thing. And
arriving at Kamyaka on a car drawn by swift steeds, he saw Yudhishthira,
sitting with Draupadi at a retired spot, surrounded by his brothers and the
Brahmanas. And seeing Vidura approach from a distance with swift steps, the
king addressed brother, Bhimasena, saying, 'With what message doth Kshatta come
to us? Doth he come hither, despatched by Sakuni, to invite us again to a game
of dice? Doth the Sakuni intend to win again our weapons at dice? O Bhimasena,
challenged by any one addressing me,--Come, I am unable to stay. And if our
possession of the Gandiva becomes doubtful, will not the acquisition of our
kingdom also be so.'
"Vaisampayana
said, 'O king, the Kauntheyas then rose up and welcomed Vidura. And received by
them, Vidura sat in their midst and made the usual enquiries. And after Vidura
had rested a while, Kauntheyas asked him the reason of his coming. And Vidura
began to relate unto them in detail everything connected with the bearing of
Dhritarashtra.'
"Vidura
said, 'O Yudhishtira, Dhritarashtra called me, his dependant, before him and
honouring me duly said, 'Things have fared thus. Now, do thou tell me what is
good for the Kauntheyas as well as for me. I pointed out what was beneficial to
both the Kauravas and Dhritarashtra. But what I said was not relished by him,
nor could I hit upon any other course. What I advised was, highly beneficial,
but Dhritarashtra heeded me not. Even as medicine recommendeth itself not to
one that is ill, so my words failed to please the king. And, as all unchaste
wile in the family of a man of pure descent cannot be brought back to the path
of virtue, so I failed to bring Dhritarashtra back. Indeed, as a young damsel
doth not like a husband of three score, even so Dhritarashtra did not like my
words. Surely, destruction will overtake the Kuru race, surely Dhritarashtra
will never acquire good fortune. For, as water dropped on a lotus-leaf doth not
remain there, my counsels will fail to produce any effect to Dhritarashtra. The
incensed Dhritarashtra told me, go thou thither where thou likest. Never more
shall I seek thy aid in ruling the earth or my capital,-- forsaken by king
Dhritarashtra, I come to thee for tendering good counsel. What I had said in
the open court, I will now repeat unto thee. Listen, and bear my words in
mind,--that wise man who bearing all the gross wrong heaped upon him by his
enemies, patiently bideth his time, and multiplieth his resources "even as
men by degrees turn a small fire: into a large one, ruleth alone this entire
earth. He that in prosperity enjoyeth his substance with his adherents findeth
in them sharers of his adversity,--this is the best means of securing
adherents, and it is said that he that hath adherents, winneth the sovereignty
of the world! And, divided thy prosperity with thy adherents, behave truthfully
towards them, and converse with them agreeably! Share also your food with them!
And never boast thyself in their presence! This behaviour increaseth the
prosperity of kings!'
"Yudhishthira
said, 'Having recourse to such high intelligence, undisturbed by passion, I
will do as thou counsellest! And whatever else thou mayst counsel in respect of
time and place, I will carefully follow entirely.'"
No comments:
Post a Comment