all the rich possessions of the Pandavas.  Behold them yet alive, O king!  They have not resolved to die, forgoing all food.  Blest be thou!  Rise up, O king!  It behoveth thee 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 thou, O king, dost not act according to my words I shall stay here employed in reverentially serving thy feet.  O bull among men, I do not desire to live deprived of thy company.  O king, if thou resolvest to slay thyself by forgoing food, thou wilt 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.”

SECTION CCXLIX

Vaisampayana said, “Beholding king Duryodhana, incapable of putting up with an insult, seated with the resolution of giving up life by forgoing food, Sakuni, the son of Suvala, said these words to comfort him.  Sakuni said, ’O son of the Kuru race, you have just heard what Karna hath said.  His words are, indeed fraught with wisdom.  Why wouldst thou abandoning from foolishness the high prosperity that I won for thee, cast off thy life today, O king, yielding to silliness?  It seemeth to me to-day that thou hast never waited upon the old.  He that cannot control sudden accession of joy or grief, is lost even though he may have obtained prosperity, like an unburnt earthen vessel in water.  That king who is entirely destitute of courage, who hath no spark of manliness, who is the slave of procrastination, who always acts with indiscretion, who is addicted to sensual pleasures, is seldom respected by his subjects.  Benefited as thou has been, whence is this unreasonable grief of thine?  Do not undo this graceful act done by the sons of Pritha, by indulging in such grief.  When thou shouldst joy and reward the Pandavas, thou art grieving, O king?  Indeed, this behaviour of thine is inconsistent.  Be cheerful, do not cast away thy life; but remember with a pleased heart the good they have done thee.  Give back unto the sons of Pritha their kingdom, and win thou both virtue and renown by such conduct.  By acting in this way, thou mayst be grateful.  Establish brotherly relations with the Pandavas by being friends, and give them their paternal kingdom, for then thou wilt be happy!’”

Vaisampayana continued, “Hearing these words of Sakuni, and seeing the brave Dussasana lying prostrate before him unmanned by fraternal love, the king raised Dussasana and, clasping him in his well round arms, smelt his head from affection.  And hearing these words of Karna and Sauvala, king Duryodhana lost heart more than ever, and he was overwhelmed with shame and utter despair overtook his soul.  And hearing all that his friends said, he answered with sorrow, ’I have nothing more to do with virtue, wealth, friendship, affluence, sovereignty, and enjoyments.  Do not obstruct my purpose, but leave me all of you.  I am firmly resolved to cast away my life by forgoing food.  Return to the city, and treat my superiors there respectfully.’