Mahabharata (English)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 2,566,952 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933
The English translation of the Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. It is authored by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and contains the records of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas family. Another part of the large contents, deal with many philosophical dialogues such as the goals of life. Book...
Section CCXLVIII
"Kama continued,
'O king, this conduct of thine to-day appears to be childish. O hero, O slayer of foes, what is to be wondered at in this that the Pandavas liberated you when you were vanquished by the foe? O son of the Kuru race, those that reside in the territories of the king, especially those (amongst them) that lead the profession of arms, should always do what is agreeable to the king whether they happen to be known to their monarch or unknown to him.
It happened often that foremost men who crush the ranks of the hostile host, are vanquished by them, and are rescued by their own troops. They that leading the profession of arms, reside in the king’s realm should always combine and exert themselves to the best of their power, for the king.
If, therefore, O king, the Pandavas, who live in the territories, have liberated you, what is there to be regretted at in this? That the Pandavas, O best of kings, did not follow you when you didst march forth to battle at the head of your troops, has been an improper act on their part. They had before this come under your power, becoming your slaves. They are, therefore, bound to aid you now, being endued with courage and might and incapable of turning away from the field of battle.
You are enjoying all the rich possessions of the Pandavas. Behold them yet alive, O king! They have not resolved to die, forgoing all food.
Blest be you! Rise up, O king! It behoves you not to indulge in great sorrow long. O king, it is the certain duty of those that reside in the king’s realm to do what is agreeable to the king.
Where should the regret be in all this? If you, O king, dost not act according to my words I shall stay here employed in reverentially serving your feet. O bull among men, I do not desire to live deprived of your company. O king, if you resolvest to slay thyself by forgoing food, you will simply be an object of laughter with other kings."
Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana, firmly resolved to leave the world, desired not to rise from where he sat."
Conclusion:
This concludes Section CCXLVIII of Book 3 (Vana Parva) of the Mahabharata, of which an English translation is presented on this page. This book is famous as one of the Itihasa, similair in content to the eighteen Puranas. Book 3 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.