Dyuta Parva — Words of Vidura

Vaishampayana said During the course of this fearful gambling, which was certain to bring about utter twin, that dispeller of all doubts, Vidura, thus spoke (to Dhritarashtra).

Vidura Said O great, O descendant of Bharata, attend to what I say, although it may not be agreeable to you like medicine to one who is at the point of death.

When this sinful wretch Duryodhana, this destroyer of the Bharata race, cried like jackal immediately after his, it was well-known that he had been ordained to bring about the destruction of you all.

A jackal is in your house in the form of Duryodhana. You do not know this out of folly. Listen to what Kavya (Shukra) said.

Those that collect honey, having received what they seek, do not (at all) mark that they are about to fall (down from the tree). Ascending dangerous heights and being deeply engaged in what they seek, they fall down and perish.

He (Duryodhana) too maddened with the gambling, is absent-indeed (in the pursuit of the play) like the collector of honey. he dose not mark its (future) consequences. Creating hostilities with these great car-warriors, he dose not see the fall (which is before him).

O greatly wise one, it is known to you, that amongst the Bhojas, (there is a custom) of abandoning a son who is unworthy of there race, for (the sake of the general) good of the people.

The Andhakas, the Yadavas the Bhojas, uniting together, abandoned Kansa. At the request (of the whole tribe) Kansa was kill by that slayer of foes, Krishna.

Knowing this all became exceedingly happy for one hundred years. Let Savyasachi (Arjuna) kill Suyodhana (Duryodhana) at your command.

Let the Kurus be glad and pass their time in happiness by the death of this wrench. O king, purchase these peacocks (Pandavas) at the exchange of this crow (Duryodhana); and buy these tiger, the Pandavas, at the exchange of this jackal (Duryodhana). Do not sink into the ocean of grief.

For the sake of a family a member (of that family) may be sacrificed; for the sake of a village, a family may be scarified; for the sake of a town, village may be sacrificed; and for the sake of one's own soul, the earth may be sacrificed.

The omniscient, the knower of all creatures' thoughts, the terror to all foes, Kavya, thus spoke to the great Asuras (to induce them) to abandon Jambha (Asura).

It is said that a (certain) king, having (first) made some wild birds which used to vomit gold to take up their quarters in his own house, killed them afterwards from temptation. O chastiser of foes, blinded by temptation and by the desire of enjoyinent he destroyed both his present and future for the sake of the gold. O king, O monarch like that king, do not persecute the Pandavas from the desire of gain.

O descendant of Bharata, from (this) folly you will have to repent afterwards like the man who killed the birds. Like the flower-seller who plucks (flowers) from trees that he cherishers with affection from day to day, continue. O king, to pluck flowers from the Pandavas. Do not burn them to their roots like the fire-producing wind which reduces every thing to charcoal. Do not go to the abode of Yama with your sons, ministers, and forces.

O descendant of Bharata, who is capable of fighting with the sons of Pritha if they stand together? O king, not to speak of others, even the chief of the celestial with all the celestial cannot do it.