and possessions.  Thou art educated and clever in every branch of knowledge, and hast been brought up with affection in thy paternal dwelling.  Born the eldest among all thy brothers, living within thy own kingdom, why regardest thou thyself as unhappy?  O thou of mighty arms, thou obtainest food and attire of the very best kind and which is not obtainable by ordinary men.  Why dost thou grieve yet.  O son, O mighty-armed one, ruling thy large ancestral kingdom swelling with people and wealth, thou shinest as splendidly as the chief of the celestials in heaven.  Thou art possessed of wisdom.  It behoveth thee to tell me what can be the root of this grief that hath made thee so melancholy.

“Duryodhana replied,—­’I am a sinful wretch, O king, because I eat and dress beholding (the prosperity of the foes).  It hath been said that man is a wretch who is not filled with jealousy at the sight of his enemy’s prosperity.  O exalted one, this kind of prosperity of mine doth not gratify me.  Beholding that blazing prosperity of the son of Kunti, I am very much pained.  I tell thee strong must be my vitality, in as much as I am living even at the sight of the whole earth owning the sway of Yudhishthira.  The Nipas, the Chitrakas, the Kukkuras, the Karaskaras, and the Lauha-janghas are living in the palace of Yudhishthira like bondsmen.  The Himavat, the ocean, the regions on the sea-shore, and the numberless other regions that yield jewels and gems, have all acknowledged superiority of the mansion of Yudhishthira in respect of wealth it containeth.  And, O Monarch, regarding me as the eldest and entitled to respect, Yudhishthira having received me respectfully, appointed me in receiving the jewels and gems (that were brought as tribute).  O Bharata, the limit and the like of the excellent and invaluable jewels that were brought there have not been seen.  And O king, my hands were fatigued in receiving that wealth.  And when I was tired, they that brought those valuable articles from distant regions used to wait till I was able to resume my labour.  Bringing jewels from the lake Vindu, the Asura architect Maya constructed (for the Pandavas) a lake-like surface made of crystal.  Beholding the (artificial) lotuses with which it was filled, I mistook it, O king for water.  And seeing me draw up my clothes (while about to cross it), Vrikodara (Bhima) laughed at me, regarding me as wanting in jewels and having lost my head at the sight of the affluence of my enemy.  If I had the ability, I would, O king, without the loss of a moment, slay Vrikodara for that.  But, O monarch, if we endeavour to slay Bhima now, without doubt, ours will be the fate of Sisupala.  O Bharata, that insult by the foe burneth me.  Once again, O king, beholding a similar lake that is really full of water but which I mistook for a crystal surface, I fell into it.  At that, Bhima with Arjuna once more laughed derisively, and Draupadi also accompanied by other females joined in the laughter.  That paineth my heart exceedingly.