Chapter 63

“Duryodhana said, ‘The son of Pritha are all as other men, and are, infact, of earthly birth as other men. Why then dost thou think that theyare sure to win victory? Both ourselves and they are equal in energy, inprowess, in age, in intelligence, in knowledge of the scriptures, inweapons, in the art of war, in lightness of hand, and in skill. All of usare of the of same species, all being men by birth. How then, Ograndsire, dost thou know that victory will be theirs? I do not seek theaccomplishment of my aims by relying upon thee, or Drona, or Kripa orValhika, or upon the other kings. Myself, and Karna, the son ofVikartana, and my brother Dussasana, will slay in battle the five sons ofPandu by sharpened arrows. Then shall we, O king, gratify Brahmanas byperforming great sacrifices of diverse kinds, with abundant Dakshinas,and by gifts of kine and horses and wealth. When my troops will drag bythe aid of their mighty arms the Pandavas in battle, like huntersdragging a herd of deer by a net, or whirlpools drawing a crewless boat,then the sons of Pandu, beholding us their foe, supported by crowds andcars and elephants, will give up their pride, and not they alone butKesava also.’ Hearing this, Vidura said, ‘Venerable persons of infallibleknowledge say that in this world self-restraint is highly beneficial. Inthe case of Brahmana especially, it is his duty. He whose self-restraintfolloweth charity, asceticism, knowledge, and study of the Vedas, alwayswinneth success, forgiveness, and the fruit of his gifts. Self-restraintenhanceth energy, and is an excellent and holy attribute. Freed from sinand his energy increased by Self-restraint, one acquireth even Brahmathrough it. People are always afraid of those that are withoutself-restraint, as if the latter were very Rakshasas. And it is forkeeping these under check that the self-Existent created the Kshatriyas.It hath been said that Self-restraint is an excellent vow for all thefour modes of life. I regard those attributes as its indications whichwoe their origin to self-restraint, Those indications are forgiveness,firmness of mind, abstention from injury, an equal regard for all things,truthfulness of speech, simplicity, control over the senses, patience,gentleness of speech, modesty, steadiness, liberality, mildness,contentment, and faith, he that hath self-restraint casteth off Just,avarice, pride, wrath, sleep, boastfulness, self-esteem, malice, andsorrow. Purity and absence of crookedness and fraud, are the distinctivemarks of a man of self-restraint. He that is not covetous, that issatisfied with a little, that regardeth not objects provoking lust, andthat is as grave as the ocean, is known as a man of self-restraint. Hethat is well-behaved, of good disposition and contented soul, thatknoweth his own self is possessed of wisdom, winneth great regard hereand attaineth to a blissful state hereafter. Possessed of mature wisdom,he that hath no fear of other creatures and whom other creatures fearnot, is said to be the foremost of men. Seeking the good of all, he is auniversal friend, and no one is made unhappy by him. Endued with gravity,like that of the ocean and enjoying contentment in consequence of hiswisdom, such a man is always calm and cheerful. Regulating their conductaccording to the acts practised by the righteous olden times and beforetheir eyes, they that are self-restrained, being devoted to peace,rejoice in this world. Or, abandoning Action, because contented inconsequence of Knowledge, such a person, with his senses under controlmoveth quickly in this world, waiting for the inevitable hour andabsorption into Brahma. And as the track of feathery creatures in the skyis incapable of being perceived, so the path of the sage enjoyingcontentment in consequence of Knowledge is not visible. Abandoning, theworld he that betaketh himself, in pursuit of emancipation, to theSannyasa mode of life, hath bright and eternal regions assigned to him inheaven.'”