Bhagavad-Yana Parva — The injunctions of Vidura to his son

The son said Your heart is made of steel shaped into that from, O my mother, who have no pity or compassion in you, who are wrathful and are of the wisdom of soldier.

Fie on the custom of the Kshatriyas since you, being own mother, urge me to go to battle as if were a stranger and you the mother of another.

Such cruel words are spoken by you to your only son; if cease to see me of what good is even the entire earth to you?

What is the use of ornaments? What of enjoyments and what even of life especially when you are deprived of the company of myself, your dear son.

The mother said All the doings, of those who are wise, are for the attainment of either virtue or worldly profit or both; and with my eye to these two along have urged you, O Sanjaya.

This is the time now for showing your prowess; and this suitable time having now arrived, if you do not resort to the proper action,

You will be showing a degree of compassion inconsistent with your birth; and if I do not speak out of affection, O Sanjaya, to you who are already contaminated by infamy,

Then that affection would be called an ass' for her young one,; it would besides be false and unreasonable, abandon the path trodden by the ignorant and held in contempt by the good.

Great is the ignorance in this world in which all living creatures have taken refuge; if your habits life be praise worthy, then will you win my esteem by that means,

Namely, if you are endued with the accomplishments of virtue and seek worldly but by following the path trodden by the gods and men and by the honest.

He who is pleased with such a son or a grandson not endued with humility, not given to exerting for himself, rebellious and badhearted.

And he who is pleased with a son who does only such acts as are unrighteous, has the object of his begetting children rendered unsuccessful.

The wretch does not attain to happiness in this world nor in the other, O Sanjaya; a Kshatriya has been created for fighting in this world and for gaining victories.

Whether he is victorious or is slain he attains to the world of Indra. And that happiness does not exist in heaven or in the sacred region of Indra;

Namely the happiness to which a Kshatriya attains by bringing his friends under his influence (according to some readings it would be by subjugating his enemies). A spirited man, who has been defeated many times, should live on with the hope of vanquishing his enemy and consumed by wrath,

He should either abandon self or vanquish his enemy; how can there be peace in any other way save this.

In this world a wise man regards little as undesirable; the man to whom little is sufficient soon becomes weary of that little (and wishes for more).

A man does not attain to happiness who has not got what he desires; and in fact he certainly feels his want as does the Ganga on losing herself in the ocean.

The son said You should not speak in this strain, O mother, especially to your son; exercise your compassion only in this case like a silent and dumb woman.

The mother said It is indeed a matter of great pleasure to me that you understand what I say. You urge me in my duty and therefore should I urge you all the more in yours.

When you have slain all the Saindhavas and are thus victorious and beyond all your troubles, I shall honour you.

The son said Having no wealth, having no friends, how can I gain success and victory. Knowing these circumstances I have thus dealt harshly with myself.

I am without exertion in recovering the kingdom as a sinful man makes no attempt to get into heaven. Such being the case, do you see any way to my fighting with the enemy.

Speak to me who are asking you in detail of that, O you of ripe and practical wisdom-I shall perform in a suitable manner all that you command me.

The mother said O son, your mind should not be insulted by anticipation's of failure. Objects unattained at first are gained subsequently and other objects attained at first are lost afterwards.

An object should not be pursued in wrath or with folly; my dear son, there is always uncertainly in the results of all actions. To those who know that the result is uncertain objects are sometimes successful and sometimes not.

To those who do not make any attempt success does not come in the absence of exertion; there is only result of actions.

To those who make attempts there are two results, namely success or failure. He, to whom is know from the very first the uncertainly of the result of all actions,

Fails to obtain success and prosperity; O you who have been born of the soul of a ruler of men, in every act should one engage himself with energy and wakefulness.

Resolving within himself-This must beand ever without any depression of heart. One who placing auspicious signs before him and in company with the Brahmanas and the gods (engages in action),

To that wise king does prosperity soon come, my dear son. The goddess of prosperity and grace comes to him like the sun coming to the east.

I see, you have shown yourself fit to appreciate many examples, expedients and words given vent to excite your energy-now show your manliness.

It is proper that you should attain to your desired object which is indeed desired by every man. Those who entertain angry feelings against your enemy, those who covet his prosperity, those who have been weakened by him or have been eclipsed by him or insulted by him,

Those who look on him with contempt and all others against him, do you bring together, and with their help will you be able to break the thick ranks of your enemy,

Like a tempest of great force scattering the clouds. Make payments to them (your allies) before such payments are due, use your energy, and speak to them mildly.

Then will they do what is desirable to you and will surely stand before you to take on themselves the charge of the battle). As soon as the enemy knows that you have grown careless of life, he will begin to fear you as a snake entering his house.

Knowing him to be powerful if one (his enemy) does not subjugate him, he should at least conciliate him, by friendliness and the like.

Attaining to prosperity by these friendly means, there occurs an increase in wealth. Friends seeks the refuge of the wealthy and worship him.

And again friends abandon him who is deprived of his wealth and they even view with suspicion and contempt such a man.

He, who making an ally of his enemy, lives confidently, cannot be possibly expected to regain his kingdom.