Sabhāparva - Chapter-7

सभापर्व - Sabhāparva

अध्यायः – 7 ::Chapter-7

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ वसन्दुर्योधनस्तस्यां सभायां भरतर्षभ । शनैर्ददर्श तां सर्वां सभां शकुनिना सह ॥ 1॥ तस्यां दिव्यानभिप्रायान्ददर्श कुरुनन्दनः । न दृष्टपूर्वा ये तेन नगरे नागसाह्वये ॥ 2॥ स कदाचित्सभामध्ये धार्तराष्ट्रो महीपतिः । स्फाटिकं तलमासाद्य जलमित्यभिशङ्कया ॥ 3॥ स्ववस्त्रोत्कर्षणं राजा कृतवान्बुद्धिमोहितः । दुर्मना विमुखश्चैव परिचक्राम तां सभाम् ॥ 4॥ ततः स्फाटिकतोयां वै स्फाटिकाम्बुजशोभिताम् । वापीं मत्वा स्थलमिति सवासाः प्रापतज्जले ॥ 5॥ जले निपतितं दृष्ट्वा किङ्करा जहसुर्भृशम् । वासांसि च शुभान्यस्मै प्रददू राजशासनात् ॥ 6॥ तथागतं तु तं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनो महाबलः । अर्जुनश्च यमौ चोभौ सर्वे ते प्राहसंस्तदा ॥ 7॥ नामर्षयत्ततस्तेषामवहासममर्षणः । आकारं रक्षमाणस्तु न स तान्समुदैक्षत ॥ 8॥ पुनर्वसनमुत्क्षिप्य प्रतरिष्यन्निव स्थलम् । आरुरोह ततः सर्वे जहसुस्ते पुनर्जनाः ॥ 9॥ द्वारं च विवृताकारं ललाटेन समाहनत् । संवृतं चेति मन्वानो द्वारदेशादुपारमत् ॥ 10॥ एवं प्रलम्भान्विविधान्प्राप्य तत्र विशां पते । पाण्डवेयाभ्यनुज्ञातस्ततो दुर्योधनो नृपः ॥ 11॥ अप्रहृष्टेन मनसा राजसूये महाक्रतौ । प्रेक्ष्य तामद्भुतामृद्धिं जगाम गजसाह्वयम् ॥ 12॥ पाण्डवश्रीप्रतप्तस्य ध्यानग्लानस्य गच्छतः । दुर्योधनस्य नृपतेः पापा मतिरजायत ॥ 13॥ पार्थान्सुमनसो दृष्ट्वा पार्थिवांश्च वशानुगान् । कृत्स्नं चापि हितं लोकमाकुमारं कुरूद्वह ॥ 14॥ महिमानं परं चापि पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् । दुर्योधनो धार्तराष्ट्रो विवर्णः समपद्यत ॥ 15॥ स तु गच्छन्ननेकाग्रः सभामेवानुचिन्तयन् । श्रियं च तामनुपमां धर्मराजस्य धीमतः ॥ 16॥ प्रमत्तो धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तदा । नाभ्यभाषत्सुबलजं भाषमाणं पुनः पुनः ॥ 17॥ अनेकाग्रं तु तं दृष्ट्वा शकुनिः प्रत्यभाषत । दुर्योधन कुतोमूलं निःश्वसन्निव गच्छसि ॥ 18॥ दुर्योधन उवाच॥ दृष्ट्वेमां पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां युधिष्ठिरवशानुगाम् । जितामस्त्रप्रतापेन श्वेताश्वस्य महात्मनः ॥ 19॥ तं च यज्ञं तथाभूतं दृष्ट्वा पार्थस्य मातुल । यथा शक्रस्य देवेषु तथाभूतं महाद्युते ॥ 20॥ अमर्षेण सुसम्पूर्णो दह्यमानो दिवानिशम् । शुचिशुक्रागमे काले शुष्ये तोयमिवाल्पकम् ॥ 21॥ पश्य सात्वतमुख्येन शिशुपालं निपातितम् । न च तत्र पुमानासीत्कश्चित्तस्य पदानुगः ॥ 22॥ दह्यमाना हि राजानः पाण्डवोत्थेन वह्निना । क्षान्तवन्तोऽपराधं तं को हि तं क्षन्तुमर्हति ॥ 23॥ वासुदेवेन तत्कर्म तथायुक्तं महत्कृतम् । सिद्धं च पाण्डवेयानां प्रतापेन महात्मनाम् ॥ 24॥ तथा हि रत्नान्यादाय विविधानि नृपा नृपम् । उपतिष्ठन्ति कौन्तेयं वैश्या इव करप्रदाः ॥ 25॥ श्रियं तथाविधां दृष्ट्वा ज्वलन्तीमिव पाण्डवे । अमर्षवशमापन्नो दह्येऽहमतथोचितः ॥ 26॥ वह्निमेव प्रवेक्ष्यामि भक्षयिष्यामि वा विषम् । अपो वापि प्रवेक्ष्यामि न हि शक्ष्यामि जीवितुम् ॥ 27॥ को हि नाम पुमाँल्लोके मर्षयिष्यति सत्त्ववान् । सपत्नानृध्यतो दृष्ट्वा हानिमात्मन एव च ॥ 28॥ सोऽहं न स्त्री न चाप्यस्त्री न पुमान्नापुमानपि । योऽहं तां मर्षयाम्यद्य तादृशीं श्रियमागताम् ॥ 29॥ ईश्वरत्वं पृथिव्याश्च वसुमत्तां च तादृशीम् । यज्ञं च तादृशं दृष्ट्वा मादृशः को न सञ्ज्वरेत् ॥ 30॥ अशक्तश्चैक एवाहं तामाहर्तुं नृपश्रियम् । सहायांश्च न पश्यामि तेन मृत्युं विचिन्तये ॥ 31॥ दैवमेव परं मन्ये पौरुषं तु निरर्थकम् । दृष्ट्वा कुन्तीसुते शुभ्रां श्रियं तामाहृतां तथा ॥ 32॥ कृतो यत्नो मया पूर्वं विनाशे तस्य सौबल । तच्च सर्वमतिक्रम्य स वृद्धोऽप्स्विव पङ्कजम् ॥ 33॥ तेन दैवं परं मन्ये पौरुषं तु निरर्थकम् । धार्तराष्ट्रा हि हीयन्ते पार्था वर्धन्ति नित्यशः ॥ 34॥ सोऽहं श्रियं च तां दृष्ट्वा सभां तां च तथाविधाम् । रक्षिभिश्चावहासं तं परितप्ये यथाग्निना ॥ 35॥ स मामभ्यनुजानीहि मातुलाद्य सुदुःखितम् । अमर्षं च समाविष्टं धृतराष्ट्रे निवेदय ॥ 36॥	36 (475)
Vaisampayana said, "That great man, Duryodhana, continued to stay in the Pandavas' assembly hall. Along with Sakuni, the Kuru prince carefully explored the entire mansion, marvelling at the celestial designs he had never seen before in Hastinapur. One day, while roaming the mansion, King Duryodhana came across a crystal surface. Mistaking it for water, he lifted his clothes. When he realized his error, he wandered through the mansion, deeply troubled. Later, believing a crystal lake adorned with lotus flowers to be solid ground, he fell in fully clothed. Seeing Duryodhana floundering in the lake, the strong Bhima laughed loudly, along with the palace servants. On Duryodhana's orders, they quickly provided him with dry, fine clothes. Witnessing Duryodhana's embarrassment, Bhima, Arjuna, and the twin brothers burst into laughter again. Unable to tolerate their mockery, Duryodhana hid his feelings and refrained from looking at them. As he pulled up his clothes to cross a patch of dry ground he mistook for water, they laughed once more.". Sometime later, the king mistakenly thought a crystal door was open. As he tried to walk through it, he bumped his head and felt dizzy. Confusing another crystal door, which was actually open, he reached out to open it and ended up falling down. When he came to yet another door that was truly open, he mistakenly thought it was closed and walked away. Then, at last, King Duryodhana returned to Hastinapur with the Pandavas' permission, after experiencing the wealth of the Rajasuya sacrifice and the many blunders in the assembly house. His heart, tormented by the sight of the Pandavas' success, became twisted with envy as he journeyed back, reflecting on everything he had witnessed and endured. Seeing the Pandavas' happiness and all the rulers of the earth bowing to them, along with everyone, young and old, doing favours for them, and considering the grandeur of the renowned sons of Pandu, Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, grew pale. On the way to his city, his troubled heart was consumed by thoughts of that assembly house and the unmatched success of wise Yudhishthira. So preoccupied was Duryodhana that he didn’t say a word to Suvala’s son, despite the latter speaking to him repeatedly. Noticing Duryodhana's distraction, Sakuni asked, ‘O Duryodhana, why are you walking like this?’ "Duryodhana responded, 'Uncle, seeing this entire world under Yudhishthira's rule due to the strength of Arjuna's mighty weapons, and witnessing the sacrifice of Pritha's son, which shines like that of the glorious Indra among the gods, I am consumed with jealousy, suffering day and night, like a dried-up pond in summer. Look, when Sisupala was killed by the leader of the Satwatas, no one stood up for him. Overwhelmed by the Pandavas' power, everyone pardoned that offense; otherwise, who could have forgiven it? That grave wrongdoing by Vasudeva succeeded due to the might of Pandu's noble son. So many kings have come forth with wealth for Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, as if paying tribute! Witnessing Yudhishthira's splendid fortune, my heart burns with jealousy, and I know I shouldn't feel this way.' Reflecting on this, Duryodhana, like a man scorched by flames, spoke to the king of Gandhara again, saying, 'I would rather throw myself into fire, drink poison, or drown. I can't bear to see my enemies thriving while I am destitute. Anyone with strength would feel the same, witnessing such prosperity among rivals. I am neither a coward nor less than a man. Observing their success and glorious sacrifice, who wouldn't feel anguish like I do? I alone cannot gain such royal fortune, and I see no allies to assist me. That's why I contemplate ending my life.'. Seeing the great and peaceful success of Kunti's son, I feel that fate rules all, rendering my efforts pointless. O son of Suvala, I once sought to bring about his downfall. Yet, despite all my attempts, he has flourished like a lotus rising from a pool. This is why I believe fate is all-powerful and my efforts are in vain. Look, the sons of Dhritarashtra are withering away while the sons of Pritha thrive more each day. Witnessing the prosperity of the Pandavas, their grand assembly hall, and their servants laughing at me, my heart burns with envy. So, dear uncle, understand that I am deeply troubled and filled with jealousy, and please inform Dhritarashtra of my feelings.
शकुनिरुवाच॥ दुर्योधन न तेऽमर्षः कार्यः प्रति युधिष्ठिरम् । भागधेयानि हि स्वानि पाण्डवा भुञ्जते सदा ॥ 1॥ अनेकैरभ्युपायैश्च त्वयारब्धाः पुरासकृत् । विमुक्ताश्च नरव्याघ्रा भागधेयपुरस्कृताः ॥ 2 तैर्लब्धा द्रौपदी भार्या द्रुपदश्च सुतैः सह । सहायः पृथिवीलाभे वासुदेवश्च वीर्यवान् ॥ 3॥ लब्धश्च नाभिभूतोऽर्थः पित्र्योंऽशः पृथिवीपते । विवृद्धस्तेजसा तेषां तत्र का परिदेवना ॥ 4॥ धनञ्जयेन गाण्डीवमक्षय्यौ च महेषुधी । लब्धान्यस्त्राणि दिव्यानि तर्पयित्वा हुताशनम् ॥ 5॥ तेन कार्मुकमुख्येन बाहुवीर्येण चात्मनः । कृता वशे महीपालास्तत्र का परिदेवना ॥ 6॥ अग्निदाहान्मयं चापि मोक्षयित्वा स दानवम् । सभां तां कारयामास सव्यसाची परन्तपः ॥ 7॥ तेन चैव मयेनोक्ताः किङ्करा नाम राक्षसाः । वहन्ति तां सभां भीमास्तत्र का परिदेवना ॥ 8॥ यच्चासहायतां राजन्नुक्तवानसि भारत । तन्मिथ्या भ्रातरो हीमे सहायास्ते महारथाः ॥ 9॥ द्रोणस्तव महेष्वासः सह पुत्रेण धीमता । सूतपुत्रश्च राधेयो गौतमश्च महारथः ॥ 10॥ अहं च सह सोदर्यैः सौमदत्तिश्च वीर्यवान् । एतैस्त्वं सहितः सर्वैर्जय कृत्स्नां वसुन्धराम् ॥ 11॥ दुर्योधन उवाच॥ त्वया च सहितो राजन्नेतैश्चान्यैर्महारथैः । एतानेव विजेष्यामि यदि त्वमनुमन्यसे ॥ 12॥ एतेषु विजितेष्वद्य भविष्यति मही मम । सर्वे च पृथिवीपालाः सभा सा च महाधना ॥ 13॥ शकुनिरुवाच॥ धनञ्जयो वासुदेवो भीमसेनो युधिष्ठिरः । नकुलः सहदेवश्च द्रुपदश्च सहात्मजैः ॥ 14॥ नैते युधि बलाज्जेतुं शक्याः सुरगणैरपि । महारथा महेष्वासाः कृतास्त्रा युद्धदुर्मदाः ॥ 15॥ अहं तु तद्विजानामि विजेतुं येन शक्यते । युधिष्ठिरं स्वयं राजंस्तन्निबोध जुषस्व च ॥ 16॥ दुर्योधन उवाच॥ अप्रमादेन सुहृदामन्येषां च महात्मनाम् । यदि शक्या विजेतुं ते तन्ममाचक्ष्व मातुल ॥ 17॥ शकुनिरुवाच॥ द्यूतप्रियश्च कौन्तेयो न च जानाति देवितुम् । समाहूतश्च राजेन्द्रो न शक्ष्यति निवर्तितुम् ॥ 18॥ देवने कुशलश्चाहं न मेऽस्ति सदृशो भुवि । त्रिषु लोकेषु कौन्तेयं तं त्वं द्यूते समाह्वय ॥ 19॥ तस्याक्षकुशलो राजन्नादास्येऽहमसंशयम् । राज्यं श्रियं च तां दीप्तां त्वदर्थं पुरुषर्षभ ॥ 20॥ इदं तु सर्वं त्वं राज्ञे दुर्योधन निवेदय । अनुज्ञातस्तु ते पित्रा विजेष्ये तं न संशयः ॥ 21॥ दुर्योधन उवाच॥ त्वमेव कुरुमुख्याय धृतराष्ट्राय सौबल । निवेदय यथान्यायं नाहं शक्ष्ये निशंसितुम् ॥ 22॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ दुर्योधनवचः श्रुत्वा धृतराष्ट्रं जनाधिपम् । उपगम्य महाप्राज्ञं शकुनिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ 23॥ शकुनिरुवाच॥ दुर्योधनो महाराज विवर्णो हरिणः कृशः । दीनश्चिन्तापरश्चैव तद्विद्धि भरतर्षभ ॥ 24॥ न वै परीक्षसे सम्यगसह्यं शत्रुसम्भवम् । ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्य शोकं त्वं किमर्थं नावबुध्यसे ॥ 25॥ धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥ दुर्योधन कुतोमूलं भृशमार्तोऽसि पुत्रक । श्रोतव्यश्चेन्मया सोऽर्थो ब्रूहि मे कुरुनन्दन ॥ 26॥ अयं त्वां शकुनिः प्राह विवर्णं हरिणं कृशम् । चिन्तयंश्च न पश्यामि शोकस्य तव सम्भवम् ॥ 27 ऐश्वर्यं हि महत्पुत्र त्वयि सर्वं समर्पितम् । भ्रातरः सुहृदश्चैव नाचरन्ति तवाप्रियम् ॥ 28॥ आच्छादयसि प्रावारानश्नासि पिशितौदनम् । आजानेया वहन्ति त्वां केनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥ 29॥ शयनानि महार्हाणि योषितश्च मनोरमाः । गुणवन्ति च वेश्मानि विहाराश्च यथासुखम् ॥ 30॥ देवानामिव ते सर्वं वाचि बद्धं न संशयः । स दीन इव दुर्धर्षः कस्माच्छोचसि पुत्रक ॥ 31॥	31 (506)
'Sakuni said, 'Oh Duryodhana, there’s no reason to be envious of Yudhishthira. The sons of Pandu are enjoying their well-deserved fortunes due to their own merits. You, the great king who defeats foes, have tried countless schemes to destroy them, yet those brave men have evaded all your plots. They have won Draupadi as their wife, along with allies like Drupada and the mighty Vasudeva, who can help them conquer the world. Moreover, they have inherited their rightful share of the kingdom without losing it and have thrived through their own efforts. What is there to begrudge them? Dhananjaya pleased Agni and received the bow Gandiva, along with infinite quivers and divine weapons. With this legendary bow and his own strength, he has subdued kings across the globe. Why lament this? After rescuing the Demon Maya from a fire, Arjuna, that conqueror of enemies, skilfully had him construct that grand assembly hall.' Maya commanded those fearsome Rakshasas called Kinkaras to support that assembly hall. Why should this make you upset? You have claimed, O king, that you are without allies, but this is not true. Your brothers are loyal to you. Drona, a great warrior with a large bow, along with his son Ashwatthama, Karna, Kripa, myself, my brothers, and King Saumadatti—these are your supporters. Unite with them, and you will conquer the entire earth. Duryodhana responded, 'O king, with you and these formidable warriors, I shall defeat the Pandavas if it pleases you. If I can conquer them now, the world will be mine, along with all the kings and that wealthy assembly hall.' Sakuni replied, 'Dhananjaya, Vasudeva, Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, Nakula, Sahadeva, and Drupada with his sons—they cannot be defeated in battle, even by the gods, for they are exceptional warriors skilled with the largest bows and relish fighting. However, O king, I know a way to bring down Yudhishthira himself. Listen to my plan and consider it.' Duryodhana said, 'Uncle, please advise me if there's a way to defeat him without risking our allies and noble people.' Sakuni replied, 'Kunti's son loves to play dice, even though he isn't skilled at it. If asked, he's likely to agree. I'm a master at dice, unmatched on earth or even in the heavens. So, suggest he play. I'll win his kingdom and his prosperous fortune for you, mighty among men. But you must present this to King Dhritarashtra. Following your father's orders, I'll surely win all of Yudhishthira's possessions.' Duryodhana responded, 'O son of Suvala, you should tell Dhritarashtra yourself, the leader of the Kurus. I cannot do it.' Vaisampayana said: Shakuni, the son of Suvala, realizing Duryodhana's distress, approached the wise king Dhritarashtra. Seeing the blind monarch sitting on his throne, he said, 'Know this, great king, proud descendant of the Bharata lineage: Duryodhana has turned pale, weakened, and anxious. Why do you not discover the sorrow weighing on your eldest son, a sorrow brought on by his enemies?' Dhritarashtra replied, 'Duryodhana, what is causing you such deep distress, O son of the Kuru family? If it is right for me to know, share with me your troubles. Shakuni says you have lost colour, grown thin, and are tormented by anxiety. I don't understand what brings you this sadness. You control this vast wealth; your brothers and our relatives do nothing to upset you. You wear the finest clothes and feast on the best food. You ride the best horses. So, what causes you to look so unhealthy? Luxurious beds, lovely maidens, splendid homes, and delightful entertainments are all ready for you, just like for the gods. So, why do you seem so troubled, as if you are lacking anything?'