“Vidura said, ’O Ajatasatru, Dhritarashtra called me, his dependant, before him and honouring me duly said, “Things have fared thus.  Now, do thou tell me what is good for the Pandavas as well as for me.”  I pointed out what was beneficial to both the Kauravas and Dhritarashtra.  But what I said was not relished by him, nor could I hit upon any other course.  What I advised was, O Pandavas, highly beneficial, but the son of Amvika heeded me not.  Even as medicine recommendeth itself not to one that is ill, so my words failed to please the king.  And, O thou without a foe, as all unchaste wile in the family of a man of pure descent cannot be brought back to the path of virtue, so I failed to bring Dhritarashtra back.  Indeed, as a young damsel doth not like a husband of three score, even so Dhritarashtra did not like my words.  Surely, destruction will overtake the Kuru race, surely Dhritarashtra will never acquire good fortune.  For, as water dropped on a lotus-leaf doth not remain there, my counsels will fail to produce any effect to Dhritarashtra.  The incensed Dhritarashira told me, O Bharata, go thou thither where thou likest.  Never more shall I seek thy aid in ruling the earth or my capital,—­O best of monarchs, forsaken by king Dhritarashtra, I come to thee for tendering good counsel.  What I had said in the open court, I will now repeat unto thee.  Listen, and bear my words in mind,—­that wise man who bearing all the gross wrong heaped upon him by his enemies, patiently bideth his time, and multiplieth his resources even as men by degrees turn a small fire into a large one, ruleth alone this entire earth.  He that (in prosperity) enjoyeth his substance with his adherents findeth in them sharers of his adversity,—­this is the best means of securing adherents, and it is said that he that hath adherents, winneth the sovereignty of the world!  And, O Pandava, divided thy prosperity with thy adherents, behave truthfully towards them, and converse with them agreeably!  Share also your food with them!  And never boast thyself in their presence!  This behaviour increaseth the prosperity of kings!’

“Yudhishthira said, ’Having recourse to such high intelligence, undisturbed by passion, I will do as thou counsellest!  And whatever else thou mayst counsel in respect of time and place, I will carefully follow entirely.’”

SECTION VI

Vaisampayana said, “O king, after Vidura had gone to the abode of the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, O Bharata, of profound wisdom, repented of his action.  And thinking of the great intelligence of Vidura in matters connected with both war and peace, and also of the aggrandisement of the Pandavas in the future, Dhritarashtra, pained at the recollection of Vidura, having approached the door of the hall of state fell down senseless in the presence of the monarchs (in waiting).  And regaining consciousness, the king rose from the ground and thus addressed Sanjaya standing