“Yudhishthira said,—­’That best of Munis, Devala, the son of Asita, who always instructeth us about all those acts that may lead to heaven, hell, or the other regions, hath said, that it is sinful to play deceitfully with a gamester.  To obtain victory in battle without cunning or stratagem is the best sport.  Gambling, however, as a sport, is not so.  Those that are respectable never use the language of the Mlechchas, nor do they adopt deceitfulness in their behaviour.  War carried on without crookedness and cunning, this is the act of men that are honest.  Do not, O Sakuni, playing desperately, win of us that wealth with which according to our abilities, we strive to learn how to benefit the Brahmanas.  Even enemies should not be vanquished by desperate stakes in deceitful play.  I do not desire either happiness or wealth by means of cunning.  The conduct of one that is a gamester, even if it be without deceitfulness, should not be applauded.’

“Sakuni said,—­’O Yudhishthira, it is from a desire of winning, which is not a very honest motive, that one high-born person approacheth another (in a contest of race superiority).  So also it is from a desire of defeating, which is not a very honest motive, that one learned person approacheth another (in a contest of learning).  Such motives, however, are scarcely regarded as really dishonest.  So also, O Yudhishthira, a person skilled at dice approacheth one that is not so skilled from a desire of vanquishing him.  One also who is conversant with the truths of science approacheth another that is not from desire of victory, which is scarcely an honest motive.  But (as I have already said) such a motive is not really dishonest.  And, O Yudhishthira, so also one that is skilled in weapons approacheth one that is not so skilled; the strong approacheth the weak.  This is the practice in every contest.  The motive is victory, O Yudhishthira.  If, therefore, thou, in approaching me, regardest me to be actuated by motives that are dishonest, if thou art under any fear, desist then from play.’

“Yudhishthira said,—­’Summoned, I do not withdraw.  This is my established vow.  And, O king, Fate is all powerful.  We all are under the control of Destiny.  With whom in this assembly am I to play?  Who is there that can stake equally with me?  Let the play begin.’

“Duryodhana said,—­’O monarch, I shall supply jewels and gems and every kind of wealth.  And it is for me that this Sakuni, my uncle, will play.’

“Yudhishthira said,—­’Gambling for one’s sake by the agency of another seemeth to me to be contrary to rule.  Thou also, O learned one, will admit this.  If, however, thou art still bent on it, let the play begin.’”

SECTION LIX