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38.THE WICKED ARE NEVER SATISFIED
We need
no longer burn with jealousy."
Duryodhana replied: "O Karna, all that is
true, but would it not be a joy of joys to
see with my own eyes the sufferings of
the Pandavas and bring their sorrow to a
climax by a display of our happiness? The
only way to perfect our happiness is to go
to the forest and see the distress of the
Pandavas, but my father will refuse
permission," and Duryodhana shed tears
at his father's cruelty in denying him this
pleasure.
He said again: "The king fears the
Pandavas, as he thinks that they are
endowed with the power of austerities. He
forbids us to go to the forest and meet
them, lest danger should befall us. But I
tell you, all we have done so far is labor
lost, without a sight of the sufferings of
Draupadi, Bhima and Arjuna in the forest.
This life of idle ease is torment to me
without that great joy. Sakuni and yourself
must seek a way of obtaining the king's
consent for us to go to the forest and see
the Pandavas in their misery."
Early next morning, Karna went to
Duryodhana with a cheerful face and
announced that he had found a way out of
the difficulty.
He said: "What do you think of going to
our ranches at Dwaitavana for the annual
stock-taking of the cows? The king
certainly cannot object to that." Sakuni
and Duryodhana applauded this bright
idea and sent the leader of the cowherds to
the king to secure his permission.
But the king would not assent.
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