For that, ye have been overwhelmed with terrible
calamity. Do thou strike off, therefore, this my head today. I am the
worst of men, and the exterminator of my race. I am a wretch. I am
addicted to wicked courses. I am of foolish understanding. I am idle and
a coward. I am an insulter of the old. I am cruel. What wouldst thou gain
by always being obedient to a cruel person like me? A wretch that I am, I
shall this very day retire into the woods. Live you happily without me.
The high-souled Bhimasena is fit to be king. A eunuch that I am, what
shall I do with sovereignty? I am incapable of bearing these harsh
speeches of thee excited with wrath. Let Bhima become king. Having been
insulted thus, O hero, what use have I with life." Having said these
words, the king, leaving that bed, suddenly stood up and desired to go to
the woods. Then Vasudeva, bowing down, said unto him, "O king, the
celebrated vow of the wielder of Gandiva who is ever devoted to truth
about his Gandiva, is known to thee. That man in the world who would tell
him, 'Give thy Gandiva to another', would be slain by him. Even those
very words were addressed to him by you. Therefore, for keeping that
earnest vow, Partha, acting also at my instance, inflicted you this
insult, O lord of Earth. Insult to superiors is said to be their death.
For this reason, O thou of mighty arms, it behoveth thee to forgive me
that beseech and bow to thee this transgression, O king, of both myself
and Arjuna, committed for maintaining the truth.
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