is acquainted with truths of causes (and effects) would wish to have even heavenly prosperity?[14] Insignificant kings, having performed diverse acts relating to the diverse means of kingcraft (known by the means of conciliation, gift, &c.) often slay a king through some contrivance.  Reflecting on these circumstances, this nectar of wisdom hath come to me.  Having attained it, I desire to get a permanent, eternal, and unchangeable place (for myself).  Always (conducting myself) with such wisdom and acting in this way, I shall, by betaking myself to that fearless path of life, terminate this physical frame that is subject to birth, death, decrepitude, disease, and pain.’”

SECTION X

Bhimasena said, “Thy understanding, O king, has become blind to the truth, like that of a foolish and unintelligent reciter of the Veda in consequence of his repeated recitation of those scriptures.  If censuring the duties of kings thou wouldst lead a life of idleness, then, O bull of Bharata’s race, this destruction of the Dhartarashtras was perfectly uncalled for.  Are forgiveness and compassion and pity and abstention from injury not to be found in anybody walking along the path of Kshatriya duties?  If we Knew that this was thy intention, we would then have never taken up arms and slain a single creature.  We would then have lived by mendicancy till the destruction of this body.  This terrible battle between the rulers of the earth would also have never taken place.  The learned have said this all that we see is food for the strong.  Indeed, this mobile and immobile world is our object of enjoyment for the person that is strong.  Wise men acquainted with Kshatriya duties have declared that they who stand in the way of the person taking the sovereignty of the earth, should be slain.  Guilty of that fault, those that stood as enemies of our kingdom have all been slain by us.  Having slain them, O Yudhishthira, righteously govern this earth.  This our act (in refusing the kingdom) is like that of a person who having dug a well stops in his work before obtaining water and comes up smutted with mire.  Or, this our act is like that of a person who having climbed up a tall tree and taken honey there from meets with death before tasting it.  Or, it is like that of a person who having set out on a long way comes back in despair without having reached his destination.  Or, it is like that of a person who having slain all his foes, O thou of Kuru’s race, at last Falls by his own hand.  Or, it is like that of a person afflicted with hunger, who having obtained food, refuses to take it, or of a person under the influence of desire, who having obtained a woman reciprocating his passion, refuses to meet with her.  We have become objects of censure, O Bharata, because, O king, we follow thee that art of feeble understanding, in consequence of thyself being our eldest brother.  We are possessed of mighty arms; we are accomplished in knowledge and