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uses them for his convenience; and Dhritarashtra encourages him.
    On the day of the dice, we heard Vidura beg Dhritarashtra to stop the game. But the king only asked, ‘Who won?’ I will never forget that. I saw the excitement on his face. For once, he did not bother to hide his feelings behind his blind man’s mask. At every throw he cried, ‘Who won?’ and I thought, who is more anxious to have my kingdom, the son or the father?
    At least Duryodhana does not disguise his hatred for us with pretences or sweet words. With him, we know where we stand. But my uncle, whom we revered like our own father, his heart is darker than his son’s. Yet, he is a coward and dare not show what he feels. Ah, this king is more devious than Shakuni. He is trying to say I am the one who wants war and he is for peace! On the day of the gambling, when I saw how Dhritarashtra refused to listen to what Vidura was saying, I knew the end of the House of Kuru was at hand.”
    His voice full of sorrow, Yudhishtira said, “Who are the law-makers in Hastinapura today? Who are they who wield influence, Sanjaya? Are they men of dharma, or are they the opposite: greedy, villainous men? Duryodhana is the real king in Hastinapura and we know what he is. Naturally, only those who are close to Duryodhana have real power in his city. And who are these? Shakuni, Dusasana and the sutaputra Karna! It is not hard to imagine the nature of the kingship and the course it is set on.
    Sanjaya, Yudhishtira may be a man of dharma. He may follow the path of truth to the point where he appears foolish. But Yudhishtira is not entirely a fool. Even before you complete the message he sends, I know what Dhritarashtra wants. He wants to keep the whole kingdom. I say to you, good messenger, go back to Hastinapura and tell your king that Yudhishtira does not want war. But if he isn’t given back what is his by right, half the Kuru kingdom, there will be war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.”
    Sanjaya said quickly, “My lord, you haven’t heard all of the message I bring. The king says to you, ‘Man’s life is brief, Yudhishtira. Why let it end in shame? Why allow yourself to be remembered as the Kuru who spilt the blood of his own kinsmen? Don’t lead your life into this war; that will be the end of you, regardless of whether you win or lose.
    I fear the Kauravas will not give up their kingdom now; they have ruled it for thirteen years in your absence. What does an earthly kingdom count for anyway, Yudhishtira? For a man of dharma like you, it would be better to live on the kindness of the Vrishnis and Andhakas, than fight this war against your own blood. The first course would establish you as the noblest man who ever lived and assure you immortal fame.
    Yes, this human life is a short one and full of sin, suffering and sorrow. Dharma is more important than wealth or possessions. Only honor is permanent in this unstable world. The desire for material possessions is what steals a man’s judgement from him. A man like you, a seeker after truth, should burn every vestige of desire from his heart. The longing for wealth and power is a shackle on the spirit, an obstacle on the path to Salvation. Few men can renounce it. You are one of the few, Yudhishtira, prince of dharma!
    I have heard about all the time you spent in the company of the rishis of the forest. Have you learnt something from them, nephew? Haven’t you learnt, as I can tell you being an old man today, that wealth counts for nothing in life? It is only a burden to the soul. Honor and freedom mean everything. Be free of the desire for kingdom and wealth, Yudhishtira. Think of dharma, which is wealth in the next world. Even if you do win the terrible war you plan, what will you achieve? You will have to atone for the sin of having killed your kinsmen. Guilt is all you will gain for yourself. How will you enjoy a kingdom won by spilling your cousins’ blood?
    I say to you, again, as one who has lived