to be made according to the scriptures for the installation of Devapi (on the throne).  Indeed, the lord Pratipa caused every auspicious preparation.  The installation of Devapi, however, was forbidden by the Brahmanas and all aged persons amongst the citizens and the inhabitants of the provinces.  Hearing that the installation of his son was forbidden, the voice of the old king became choked with tears and he began to grieve for his son.  Thus, though Devapi was liberal, virtuous, devoted to truth, and loved by the subjects, yet in consequence of his skin-disease, he was excluded from his inheritance.  The gods do not approve of a king that is defective of a limb.  Thinking of this, those bulls among Brahmanas forbade king Pratipa to install his eldest son.  Devapi then, who was defective of one limb, beholding the king (his father) prevented (from installing him on the throne) and filled with sorrow on his account, retired into the woods.  As regards Vahlika, abandoning his (paternal) kingdom he dwelt with his maternal uncle.  Abandoning his father and brother, he obtained the highly wealthy kingdom of his maternal grandfather.  With Vahlika’s permission, O prince, Santanu of world-wide fame, on the death of his father (Pratipa), became king and ruled the kingdom.  In this way also, O Bharata, though I am the eldest, yet being defective of a limb, I was excluded from the kingdom by intelligent Pandu, no doubt, after much reflection.  And Pandu himself, though younger to me in age, obtained the kingdom and became king.  At his death, O chastiser of foes, that kingdom must pass to his sons.  When I could not obtain the kingdom, how canst thou covet it?  Thou art not the son of a king, and, therefore, hast no right to this kingdom.  Thou, however, desirest to appropriate the property of others.  High-souled Yudhishthira is the son of a king.  This kingdom is lawfully his.  Of magnanimous soul, even he is the ruler and lord of this race of Kuru.  He is devoted to truth, of clear perception, obedient to the counsels of friends, honest, loved by the subjects, kind to all well-wishers, master of his passions, and the chastiser of all that are not good.  Forgiveness, renunciation, self-control, knowledge of the scriptures, mercy to all creatures, competence to rule according to the dictates of virtue, of all these attributes of royalty exist in Yudhishthira.  Thou art not the son of a king, and art always sinfully inclined towards thy relatives.  O wretch, how canst thou succeed in appropriating this kingdom that lawfully belongeth to others?  Dispelling this delusion, give half the kingdom with (a share of the) animals and other possessions.  Then, O king, mayest thou hope to live for some time with thy younger brothers.’”

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