“Bhima said,—­’O Yudhishthira, gamblers have in their houses many women of loose character.  They do not yet stake those women having kindness for them even.  Whatever wealth and other excellent articles the king of Kasi gave, whatever, gems, animals, wealth, coats of mail and weapons that other kings of the earth gave, our kingdom, thyself and ourselves, have all been won by the foes.  At all this my wrath was not excited for thou art our lord.  This, however, I regard as a highly improper act—­this act of staking Draupadi.  This innocent girl deserveth not this treatment.  Having obtained the Pandavas as her lords, it is for thee alone that she is being thus persecuted by the low, despicable, cruel, and mean-minded Kauravas.  It is for her sake, O king, that my anger falleth on thee.  I shall burn those hands of thine.  Sahadeva, bring some fire.”

’Arjuna hearing this, said,—­’Thou hast never, O Bhimasena, before this uttered such words as these.  Assuredly thy high morality hath been destroyed by these cruel foes.  Thou shouldst not fulfil the wishes of the enemy.  Practise thou the highest morality.  Whom doth it behave to transgress his virtuous eldest brother?  The king was summoned by the foe, and remembering the usage of the Kshatriyas, he played at dice against his will.  That is certainly conducive to our great fame.

’Bhima said,—­’If I had not known, O Dhananjaya, that the king had acted according to Kshatriya usage, then I would have, taking his hands together by sheer force, burnt them in a blazing fire.”

Vaisampayana continued,—­“Beholding the Pandavas thus distressed and the princess of Panchala also thus afflicted, Vikarna the son of Dhritarashtra said—­’Ye kings, answer ye the question that hath been asked by Yajnaseni.  If we do not judge a matter referred to us, all of us will assuredly have to go to hell without delay.  How is that Bhishma and Dhritarashtra, both of whom are the oldest of the Kurus, as also the high-souled Vidura, do not say anything!  The son of Bharadwaja who is the preceptor of us, as also Kripa, is here.  Why do not these best of regenerate ones answer the question?  Let also those other kings assembled here from all directions answer according to their judgment this question, leaving aside all motives of gain and anger.  Ye kings, answer ye the question that hath been asked by this blessed daughter of king Drupada, and declare after reflection on which side each of ye is.’  Thus did Vikarna repeatedly appeal to those that were in that assembly.  But those kings answered him not one word, good or ill.  And Vikarna having repeatedly appealed to all the kings began to rub his hands and sigh like a snake.  And at last the prince said—­’Ye kings of the earth, ye Kauravas, whether ye answer this question or not, I will say what I regard as just and proper.  Ye foremost of men, it hath been said that hunting, drinking, gambling, and too much enjoyment of women, are the four vices of kings.  The man, that is