Chapter 45
“Yudhishthira said, ‘If a person, after having given dowry for a maiden,goes away, how should the maiden’s father or other kinsmen who arecompetent to bestow her, act? Do tell me this, O grandsire!’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘If a person, after having given dowry for a maiden,goes away, how should the maiden’s father or other kinsmen who arecompetent to bestow her, act? Do tell me this, O grandsire!’
“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection, persons acquainted with thescriptures declare this text in respect of duty, viz., for a Kshatriyapossessed of intelligence and knowledge, (the earning of) religious meritand (the acquisition of) wealth, constitute his obvious duties.
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘O holy one, I did not like this business ofgambling, but, O Muni, I think, I was made to consent to it drawn byfate! Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Vidura, nor Gandhari liked thisgame at dice. No doubt, it was begot of folly. And, O thou who delightestin the observance of vows, O illustrious one, knowing everything yetinfluenced by paternal affection, I am unable to cast off my senselessson, Duryodhana!’
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘I see, O sire, that this act of Karna andDuryodhana and Suvala’s son, Sakuni, and of thyself, in especial, hathbeen very much against the dictates of policy.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘And beholding the Sutas slain, the citizens went tothe king, and represented unto him what had happened, saying, ‘O king,those mighty sons of the Sutas have all been slain by the Gandharvas.
Vaisampayana said,–“thus addressed, Bhima firmly resolved upon slayingJarasandha, replied unto Krishna of the Yadu race, saying,–O tiger ofthe Yadu race, O Krishna, this wretch that yet stayeth before me withsufficient strength and bent upon fight, should not be forgiven by me.
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then, O king, Dhananjaya, desirous of rescuing Kunti’sson Bhima who, assailed by many, foremost of warriors of the Kuru army,seemed to sink (under that attack), avoided,
“Yudhishthira said, “Tell me of that, O grandsire, which is the root ofall duties, which is the root of kinsmen, of home, of the Pitris and ofguests. I think this should be regarded as the foremost of all duties,(viz., the marriage of one’s daughter). Tell me, however, O king, uponwhat sort of a person should one bestow one’s daughter?’
“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection is cited the old story of a robber whohaving in this would been observant of restraints did not meet withdestruction in the next.
“Sanjaya said, ‘Thus addressed by Vyasa, the heroic king Yudhishthira thejust refrained, O bull of Bharata’s race, from himself seeking to slayKarna.