steeds and mares and mules would
not have sustained any diminution. But now deprived of prosperity by the
rivalry of dice, he sits dumb like a fool, reflecting on his own
misdeeds. Alas, he who, while sojourning, was followed by ten thousand
elephants adorned with golden garlands now supports himself by casting
dice. That Yudhishthira who at Indraprastha was adored by kings of
incomparable prowess by hundreds of thousands, that mighty monarch in
whose kitchen a hundred thousand maid-servants, plate in hand, used
every day to feed numerous guests day and night, that best of liberal
men, who gave (every day) a thousand _nishkas_, alas, even he
overwhelmed with woe in consequence of gambling which is the root of all
evil, now supporteth himself by casting dice. Bards and encomiasts by
thousands decked with ear-rings set with brilliant gems, and gifted with
melodious voice, used to pay him homage morning and evening. Alas, that
Yudhishthira, who was daily waited upon by a thousand sages of ascetic
merit, versed in the _Vedas_ and having every desire gratified, as his
courtiers,--that Yudhishthira who maintained eighty-eight thousands of
domestic _Snatakas_ with thirty maid-servants assigned unto each, as
also ten thousand _yatis_ not accepting anything in gift and with vital
seed drawn up,--alas, even that mighty king now liveth in such guise.
That Yudhishthira who is without malice, who is full of kindness, and
who giveth every creature his due, who hath all these excellent
attributes, alas--even he now liveth in such guise. Possessed of
firmness and unbaffled prowess, with heart disposed to give every
creature his due, king Yudhishthira, moved by compassion, constantly
maintained in his kingdom the blind, the old, the helpless, the
parentless and all others in his dominions in such distress. Alas, that
Yudhishthira becoming a dependant and a servant of Matsya, a caster of
dice in his court, now calls himself Kanka. He unto whom while residing
at Indraprastha, all the rulers of earth used to pay timely
tribute,--alas, even he now begs for subsistence at another's hands. He
to whom the kings of the earth were in subjection,--alas, even that king
having lost his liberty, liveth in subjection to others. Having dazzled
the entire earth like the sun by his energy, that Yudhishthira, alas, is
now a courtier of king Virata. O Pandu's son, that Pandava who was
respectfully waited upon in court by kings and sages, behold him now
wai