obtained like the exalted Harishchandra such prosperity that neither Rantideva nor Nabhaga, nor Jauvanaswa, nor Manu, nor king Prithu the son of Vena, nor Bhagiratha, Yayati, nor Nahusha, had obtained its like.  And beholding, O exalted one, such prosperity, in the son of Pritha which is even like that which Harishchandra had, I do not see the least good in continuing to live, O Bharata!  O ruler of men, a yoke that is tied (to the bullock’s shoulders) by a blind man becomes loosened.  Even such is the case with us.  The younger ones are growing while the elder ones are decaying.  And beholding all this, O chief of the Kurus, I cannot enjoy peace even with the aid of reflection.  And it is for this, O king, that I am plunged into grief and becoming pale and emaciated.”

SECTION LIII

“Dhritrashtra said,—­Thou art my eldest son and born also of my eldest wife.  Therefore, O son, be not jealous of the Pandavas.  He that is jealous is always unhappy and suffereth the pangs of death.  O bull of the Bharata race, Yudhishthira knoweth not deception, possesseth wealth equal unto thine, hath thy friends for his, and is not jealous of thee.  Why shouldst thou, therefore, be jealous of him?  O king, in respect of friends and allies thou art equal unto Yudhishthira.  Why shouldst thou, therefore, covet, from folly, the property of thy brother?  Be not so.  Cease to be jealous.  Do not grieve.  O bull of the Bharata race, it thou covetest the dignity attaching to the performance of a sacrifice, let the priests arrange for thee the great sacrifice, called the Saptatantu.  The kings of the earth will then, cheerfully and with great respect, bring for thee also much wealth and gems and ornaments.  O child, coveting other’s possessions is exceedingly mean.  He, on the other hand, enjoyeth happiness, who is content with his own being engaged in the practices of his own order.  Never striving to obtain the wealth of others, persevering in one’s own affairs, and protecting what hath been earned,—­these are the indications of true greatness.  He that is unmoved in calamity, skilled in his own business, ever exerting vigilant and humble, always beholdeth prosperity.  The sons of Pandu are as thy arms.  Do not lop off those arms of thine.  Plunge not into internal dissensions for the sake of that wealth of thy brothers.  O king, be not jealous of the sons of Pandu.  Thy wealth is equal unto that of thy brothers in his entirety.  There is great sin in quarrelling with friends.  They that are thy grandsires are theirs also.  Give away in charity on occasions of sacrifices, gratify every dear object of thy desire, disport in the company of women freely, and enjoy thou peace.’”

SECTION LIV