It seemeth,
however, that that vile wretch deserved not our homage. What man is there
born of a respectable family that would break the plate after having dined
from it! Even if one desireth to make such an alliance, yet remembering
all the services he hath received, who is there, desirous of happiness,
that acts so rashly? That Pandava disregarding us and thee too hath today
outraged Subhadra, desiring (to compass) his own death. He hath placed his
foot on the crown of my head. How shall I, O Govinda, tamely bear it?
Shall I not resent it, even like a snake that is trodden upon? Alone shall
I today make the earth destitute of Kauravas! Never shall I put up with
this transgression by Arjuna.' Then all the Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas,
present there, approved of everything that Valadeva had said, deeply
roaring like unto a kettle-drum or the clouds.'"
SECTION CCXXIII
(Haranaharana Parva)
"Vaisampayana said, 'When the heroes of the Vrishni race began to speak
repeatedly in this strain, Vasudeva uttered these words pregnant with deep
import and consistent with true morality. 'Gudakesa (the conqueror of sleep
or he of the curly hair), by what he hath done, hath not insulted our
family. He hath without doubt, rather enhanced our respect. Partha knoweth
that we of the Satwata race are never mercenary. The son of Pandu also
regardeth a self-choice as doubtful in its results. Who also would approve
of accepting a bride in gift as if she were an animal? What man again is
there on earth that would sell his offspring? I think Arjuna, seeing these
faults in all the other methods took the maiden away by force, according
to the ordinance.
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