“WAR NOT WITH PAANDAVAAS”

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DYOOTA PARVA > CHAPTER 62 - “WAR NOT WITH PAANDAVAAS”

“Vidura said, ‘Gambling is the root of conflicts (Kalaham in Sanskrit). It brings about disunion (Bhedam in Sanskrit). Its consequences are frightful. Yet having employed this, Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana creates for himself strong enmity. The descendants of Pratipa and Shantanu, with their fierce troops and their allies the Baahlikaas, will, for the sins of Duryodhana meet with destruction.

“Duryodhana, in consequence of this intoxication, forcibly drives away luck and prosperity from his kingdom, like an infuriated bull breaking his own horns himself. That brave and learned person who disregarding his own foresight, follows, O king (Dhritarashtra), (the inclination of) another man’s heart, sinks in terrible pain like one that goes into the sea in a boat guided by a child.

“Duryodhana is gambling with Paandavaas, and you are in intense joy that he is winning. It is such success that brings war, which ends in the destruction of men. This fascination (of gambling) that you have well-devised only leads to horrible results. Thus, you have simply brought on by these counsels great pain to your heart. This your quarrel with Yudhishthira, who is so closely related to you, even if you had not foreseen it, is still approved by you.

“Listen, O sons of Shantanu, O descendants of Pratipa, who are now in this sabha of the Kauravaas, to these words of wisdom. You enter not into the terrible fire that has blazed forth following the wretch. When Ajaatashatru, the Paandavaa (Yudhishthira), intoxicated with dice, gives way to his anger, Vrikodara (Bhimasena), Arjuna and the twins (do the same), who, in that hour of confusion, will prove your refuge?

“O Maharaja (Dhritarashtra), you are yourself a mine of wealth. You can earn (by other means) as much wealth as you seek to earn by gambling. What do you gain by winning from the Paandavaas their vast wealth? Win the Paandavaas themselves, who will be to you more than all the wealth they have. We all know the skill of Saubala (also known as Shakuni) in play. This mountain-king knows many wicked methods in gambling. Let Shakuni return from where he came. War not, O Bharata (Dhritarashtra), with Paandavaas!’”