Mahabharata Bibliomancy Reading
This oracle randomly points to a line from one of sacred books of Mahabharata. The surrounding lines are also provided for context.
Your passage is from BOOK 2 - SABHA PARVA - SECTION LXX.
If Yudhishthira had staked her before he was himself won, he would certainly have been regarded as her master.
Surrounding Context from
BOOK 2 - SABHA PARVA - SECTION LXX
Know ye for certain that this great calamity that threatens to overtake the Bharatas hath been sent by Destiny itself.
The sons of Dhritarashtra have, indeed, gambled disregarding every proper consideration.
They are even now disputing in this assembly about a lady (of the royal household).
The prosperity of our kingdom is at an end.
Alas, the Kauravas are even now engaged in sinful consultations.
Ye Kauravas, take to your heart this high precept that I declare.
If virtue is persecuted, the whole assembly becometh polluted.
If Yudhishthira had staked her before he was himself won, he would certainly have been regarded as her master.
If, however a person staketh anything at a time when he himself is incapable of holding any wealth, to win it is very like obtaining wealth in a dream.
Listening to the words of the king of Gandhara, fall ye not off from this undoubted truth.’
“Duryodhana, hearing Vidura thus speak, said,--‘I am willing to abide by the words of Bhima, of Arjuna and of the twins.
Let them say that Yudhishthira is not their master.
Yajnaseni will then be freed from her state of bondage.”
“Arjuna at this, said,--“This illustrious son of Kunti, king Yudhishthira the just, was certainly our master before he began to play.
But having lost himself, let all the Kauravas judge whose master he could be after that.”
