द्यूत पर्व — दुर्योधन का विलाप

Duryodhana said He, who has not personal knowledge, but has merely heard of many things cannot understand the real meaning of the Shastras, like the spoon which has no perception of the taste of the soup it touches.

You know everything, but you still confound me. Like a boat tied to another boat, you and I are tied to each other. Are you unmindful of your own interest? Do you entertain hostile feelings towards me?

The sons of Dhritarashtra are doomed to destruction in as much as they are ruled by you. That which should be done at once, you say should be done in future.

He often loses his way whose guide follows the instruction of others. How can those who follow him obtain the right path?

O king, you are of mature wisdom; you wait on the old, and your passions are also under complete control. You should not confound us, when we are ready to seek our own interest.

Brihaspati has said that the usage of kings are different from those of common people. Therefore, kings should always look to their interest with vigilance.

O great king, the character of a Kshatriya is to be known from (his) success. Whether sinful or virtuous, what scruples can there be in performing the duties of one's own (caste).

O best of the Bharata race, he, who is desirous of securing the blazing prosperity of his enemy, should bring all directions under his subjection, as the charioteer does his steeds with his whip.

The men, skilled in arms, say that the means, either covered or open, which can vanquish the enemy, is to be called the (true) weapon and not that which cuts.

O king, there is no figure or dimension to know who is one's friend and who is one's foe. He who gives pain to the other is to be called by him his enemy.

O king, discontent is the root of prosperity. Therefore, I desire to have it. O king, he who tries to acquire prosperity is truly a man of policy.

None should love his wealth and affluence, for the wealth, that has been earned and hoarded, might be plundered. This (such plundering) is the usage of the kings.

It was during an armistice and also at the time when a pledge was given (not to fight) that Shakra (Indra) cut off the head of Namuchi. As he approved of this eternal usage towards the enemy, he did act in this way.

Like a snake that swallows up frogs and other animals living in holes, the earth swallows up a king who is peaceful and (also) a Brahmana who does not stir out of his house.

O king, none can by nature by any person's foe. He, and none else, is one's enemy who has common pursuits with another.

He who foolishly neglects a growing foe cuts off his root, as a disease which he keeps without treatment (destroys his body).

If a foe, however insignificant he is, be allowed to grow in prowess, he swallows one as the white ants at the root of a tree eat up the tree itself.

O descendant of Ajamida, O descendant of Bharata, let not the enemy's prosperity be acceptable to you. The wise men should carry on their heads this policy like a load.

He, who always wishes for the increase of his wealth, grows and prospers amongst his relatives, as the body naturally grows from the day of birth. Prowess brings speedy growth.

Covet as much as I do the wealth and prosperity of the Pandavas, they have not as yet become my own. I am doubtful about my ability; I am, however, determined to remove my doubt. I will either obtain their wealth or lay my own life in battle.

O king, when the state of my mind is such, when the Pandavas are daily growing in prosperity and our possessions are daily decreasing, what do I care for life?