Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/346

332 whole of the South, Dhananjaya sent unto the kingdom of the Kurus a large booty.

"Thus did those foremost of men, the illustrious Pandavas, conquering the territories of other kings, extend the limits of their own kingdom. But beholding the great prowess and strength of those mighty bowmen, king Dhritarashtra's sentiments towards the Pandavas became suddenly poisoned, and from that day the monarch became so anxious that he could hardly sleep.'

Thus ends the hundred and forty-first section in the Sambhava Parva of the Adi Parva,

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(Sambhava Parva continued)

Vaisa mpayana continued, -"On hearing that the heroic sons of Pandu endued with excess of energy had become so mighty, king Dhritarashtra became very miserable with anxiety. Then summoning unto his side Kanika--that foremost of minister-well-versed in the science of politics and an expert in counsels the king said.-'0 best of Brahmanas, the Pandavas are daily overshadowing the Earth. I am exceedingly jealous of them. Should I have peace or war with them? O Kanika, advice me truely, for I shall do as thou biddest.'

Vaisampayana continued, -"That best of Brahmanas, thus addressed by the king, freely answered him in these pointed words well-agreeing with the import of political science.

'Listen to me, O sipless king, as I answer thee! And, O best of Kuru kings, it beboveth thee not to be angry with me after hearing all I say. Kings should ever be ready with uplifted maces to strike when necessary), and they should ever increase their prowess. Carefully avoiding all faults themselves they should ceaselessly watch over the faults of their foes and take advantage of them. If the king is always ready to strike, everybody feareth him. Therefore the king should ever have recourse to chastisement in all he doth. He should so conduct himself that bis foe may not detect any weak side in him. But by means of the weakness he detecteth in his foe he should pursue him (to destruction). He should always conceal, like the tortoise concealing its body, his means and ends, and he should always keep back his own weakness from the sight of others. And having began a particular act, he should ever accomplish it thoroughly. Behold, a thorn, if not extracted wholly, producetb a festering sore ! The slaughter of a foe who doeth thee evil is always praiseworthy. It tbe foe be one of great prowess, one should always watch for the

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