are good, and the destroyer of thy race and family, by bringing thee forth, O Sanjaya, I have brought forth Kali himself in the shape of a son.  Oh, let no woman bring forth such a son (as thou) that art without wrath, without exertion, without energy, and that art the joy of foes.  Do not smoulder.  Blaze thou up, effectively displaying thy prowess.  Slay thy foes.  For but a moment, for ever so small a space of time, blaze thou up on the heads of thy enemies.  He is a man who cherisheth wrath and forgiveth not.  He, on the other hand, who is forgiving and without wrath, is neither a man nor woman.  Contentment and softness of heart and these two, viz., want of exertion and fear, are destructive of prosperity.  He that is without exertion never winneth what is great.  Therefore, O son, free thyself, by thy own exertions, from these faults that lead to defeat and downfall.  Steel thy heart and seek to recover thy own.  A man is called Purusha because he is competent to trouble his foe (param).  He, therefore, who liveth like a woman is misnamed Purusha (man).  A brave king of mighty strength, and who moveth like a lion, may go the way of all creatures.  The subjects, however, that reside in his dominions do not yet become unhappy.  That king, who, disregarding his own happiness and pleasures, seeketh the prosperity of his kingdom, succeedeth soon in gladdening his counsellors and friends.’

“Hearing these words, the son said, ’If thou dost not behold me, of what use would the whole earth be to thee, of what use thy ornaments, of what use all the means of pleasure and even life itself?’ The mother said, ’Let those regions be obtained by our foes which belong to those that are low.  Let those again that are friends go to those regions which are obtainable by persons whose souls are held in respect.  Do not adopt the course of life that is followed by those wretched persons, who, destitute of strength, and without servants and attendants (to do their bidding) live upon the food supplied by others.  Like the creatures of the earth that depend on the clouds, or the gods depending on Indra, let the Brahmanas and thy friends all depend on thee for their sustenance.  His life, O Sanjaya, is not vain on whom all creatures depend for their sustenance, like birds repairing to a tree abounding with ripe fruits.  The life of that brave man is, indeed, praiseworthy, through whose prowess friends derive happiness, like the gods deriving happiness through the prowess of Sakra.  That man who liveth in greatness depending on the prowess of his own arms, succeedeth in winning fame in this world and blessed state in the next!’”

SECTION CXXXIV