Chapter 53

“Dhritrashtra said,–Thou art my eldest son and born also of my eldestwife. Therefore, O son, be not jealous of the Pandavas. He that isjealous is always unhappy and suffereth the pangs of death.

O bull of theBharata race, Yudhishthira knoweth not deception, possesseth wealth equalunto thine, hath thy friends for his, and is not jealous of thee. Whyshouldst thou, therefore, be jealous of him? O king, in respect offriends and allies thou art equal unto Yudhishthira. Why shouldst thou,therefore, covet, from folly, the property of thy brother? Be not so.Cease to be jealous. Do not grieve. O bull of the Bharata race, it thoucovetest the dignity attaching to the performance of a sacrifice, let thepriests arrange for thee the great sacrifice, called the Saptatantu. Thekings of the earth will then, cheerfully and with great respect, bringfor thee also much wealth and gems and ornaments. O child, covetingother’s possessions is exceedingly mean. He, on the other hand, enjoyethhappiness, who is content with his own being engaged in the practices ofhis own order. Never striving to obtain the wealth of others, perseveringin one’s own affairs, and protecting what hath been earned,–these arethe indications of true greatness. He that is unmoved in calamity,skilled in his own business, ever exerting vigilant and humble, alwaysbeholdeth prosperity. The sons of Pandu are as thy arms. Do not lop offthose arms of thine. Plunge not into internal dissensions for the sake ofthat wealth of thy brothers. O king, be not jealous of the sons of Pandu.Thy wealth is equal unto that of thy brothers in his entirety. There isgreat sin in quarrelling with friends. They that are thy grandsires aretheirs also. Give away in charity on occasions of sacrifices, gratifyevery dear object of thy desire, disport in the company of women freely,and enjoy thou peace.'”