“Dhritarashtra said.—­’The words uttered by thee do not recommend themselves to me.  Do what may be agreeable to thee, O ruler of men.  But thou shall have to repent for acting according to these words; for, words that are fraught with such immorality can never bring prosperity in the future.  Even this was foreseen by the learned Vidura ever treading the path of truth and wisdom.  Even the great calamity, destructive of the lives of the Kshatriyas, cometh as destined by fate.’”

Vaisampayana continued—­“Having said this, the weak-minded Dhritarashtra regarded fate as supreme and unavoidable.  And the king deprived of reason by Fate, and obedient to the counsels of his son, commanded his men in loud voice, saying—­’Carefully construct, without loss of time, an assembly house of the most beautiful description, to be called the crystal-arched palace with a thousand columns, decked with gold and lapis lazuli, furnished with a hundred gates, and full two miles in length and in breadth the same.’  Hearing those words of his, thousands of artificers endued with intelligence and skill soon erected the palace with the greatest alacrity, and having erected it brought thither every kind of article.  And soon after they cheerfully represented unto the king that the palace had been finished, and that it as delightful and handsome and furnished with every kind of gems and covered with many-coloured carpets inlaid with gold.  Then king Dhritarashtra, possessed of learning, summoning Vidura the chief of his ministers, said:—­’Repairing, (to Khandavaprastha), bring prince Yudhishthira here without loss of time.  Let him come hither with his brothers, and behold his handsome assembly house of mine, furnished with countless jewels and gems, and costly beds and carpets, and let a friendly match at dice commence here.’”

SECTION LVI

Vaisampayana said,—­“King Dhritarashtra, ascertaining the inclinations of his son and knowing that Fate is inevitable, did what I have said.  Vidura, however, that foremost of intelligent men, approved not his brother’s words and spoke thus, ’I approve not, O king, of this command of thine.  Do not act so.  I fear, this will bring about the destruction of our race.  When thy sons lose their unity, dissension will certainly ensue amongst them.  This I apprehend, O king, from this match at dice.’

“Dhritarashtra said,—­’If Fate be not hostile, this quarrel will not certainly grieve me.  The whole universe moveth at the will of its Creator, under the controlling influence of Fate.  It is not free.  Therefore, O Vidura, going unto king Yudhishthira at my command, bring thou soon that invincible son of Kunti.’”

SECTION LVII