SECTION 53

SECTION 53

"Dhritrashtra said,--Thou art my eldest son and born also of my eldest wife. Therefore, be not jealous of the Kauntheyas. He that is jealous is always unhappy and suffereth the pangs of death. Yudhishthira knoweth not deception, possesseth wealth equal unto thine, hath thy friends for his, and is not jealous of thee. Why shouldst thou, therefore, be jealous of him? In respect of friends and allies thou art equal unto Yudhishthira. Why shouldst thou, therefore, covet, from folly, the property of thy brother? Be not so. Cease to be jealous. Do not grieve. It thou covetest the dignity attaching to the performance of a sacrifice, let the priests arrange for thee the great sacrifice, called the Saptatantu. The kings will then, cheerfully and with great respect, bring for thee also much wealth and gems and ornaments. O child, coveting other's possessions is exceedingly mean. He, on the other hand, enjoyeth 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 hath 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 beholdeth prosperity. There is great sin in quarrelling with friends. Give away in charity on occasions of sacrifices, gratify every dear object of thy desire, disport in the company of women freely, and enjoy thou peace.'"