“And after the citizens had ceased following the Pandavas, Vidura, conversant with all the dictates of morality, desirous of awakening the eldest of the Pandavas (to a sense of his dangers), addressed him in these words.  The learned Vidura, conversant with the jargon (of the Mlechchhas), addressed the learned Yudhishthira who also was conversant with the same jargon, in the words of the Mlechchha tongue, so as to be unintelligible to all except Yudhishthira.  He said, ’He that knoweth the schemes his foes contrive in accordance with the dictates of political science, should, knowing them, act in such a way as to avoid all danger.  He that knoweth that there are sharp weapons capable of cutting the body though not made of steel, and understandeth also the means of warding them off, can never be injured by foes.  He liveth who protecteth himself by the knowledge that neither the consumer of straw and wood nor the drier of the dew burneth the inmates of a hole in the deep woods.  The blind man seeth not his way:  the blind man hath no knowledge of direction.  He that hath no firmness never acquireth prosperity.  Remembering this, be upon your guard.  The man who taketh a weapon not made of steel (i.e., an inflammable abode) given him by his foes, can escape from fire by making his abode like unto that of a jackal (having many outlets).  By wandering a man may acquire the knowledge of ways, and by the stars he can ascertain the direction, and he that keepeth his five (senses) under control can never be oppressed y his enemies.’

“Thus addressed, Pandu’s son, Yudhishthira the just replied unto Vidura, that foremost of all learned men, saying, ‘I have understood thee.’  Then Vidura, having instructed the Pandavas and followed them (thus far), walked around them and bidding them farewell returned to his own abode.  When the citizens and Bhishma and Vidura had all ceased following, Kunti approached Yudhishthira and said, ’The words that Kshattri said unto thee in the midst of many people so indistinctly as if he did not say anything, and thy reply also to him in similar words and voice, we have not understood.  If it is not improper; for us to know them I should then like to hear everything that had passed between him and thee.’

“Yudhishthira replied, ’The virtuous Vidura said unto me that we should know that the mansion (for our accommodation at Varanavata) hath been built of inflammable materials.  He said unto me, ’The path of escape too shall not be unknown to thee,’—­and further,—­’Those that can control their senses can acquire the sovereignty of the whole world.’—­The reply that I gave unto Vidura was, ‘I have understood thee.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’The Pandavas set out on the eighth day of the month of Phalguna when the star Rohini was in the ascendant, and arriving at Varanavata they beheld the town and the people.’”

SECTION CXLVIII

(Jatugriha Parva continued)