Mahabharata -Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
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23.THE INVITATION
Thus said the old king who, though overfond of his son, did not occasionally hesitate to say what he felt to be just. Duryodhana did not at all like the advice of his father, and his reply was not very respectful. He replied: "The man without common sense, but immersed in learning, is like a wooden ladle immersed in savoury food which it neither tastes nor benefits from. You have much learning of statecraft but have no state wisdom at all, as your advice to me clearly shows. The way of the world is one thing and the administration of a state is quite another. Thus has Brihaspati said: 'Forbearance and contentment, though the duties of ordinary men, are not virtues in kings.' The kshatriya's duty is a constant seeking of victory." Duryodhana spoke thus quoting maxims of politics and citing examples and making the worse appear the better reason. Then Sakuni intervened and set forth in detail his infallible plan of inviting Yudhishthira to play the game of dice, defeating him utterly and divesting him of his all without recourse to arms. The wicked Sakuni wound up with saying: "It is enough if you merely send for the son of Kunti to play the game of dice. Leave the rest to me." Duryodhana added: "Sakuni will win for me the riches of the Pandavas without a fight, if you would only agree to invite Yudhishthira." Dhritarashtra said: "Your suggestion does not seem proper. Let us ask Vidura about it. He will advise us rightly." But Duryodhana would not hear of consulting Vidura. |
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