SECTION CCXXXII

"Draupadi said, 'I shall now indicate to thee, for attracting the heart

of thy husbands a way that is free from deceit. By adopting it duly,

dear friend, thou will be able to draw away thy lord from other females.

In all the worlds, including that of the celestials, there is no god

equal, O Satyabhama, unto the husband. When he is gratified with thee,

thou mayst have (from thy husband) every object of desire; when he is

angry, all these may be lost. It is from her husband that the wife

obtaineth offspring and various articles of enjoyment. It is from thy

husband that thou mayst have handsome beds and seats, and robes and

garlands, and perfumes, and great fame and heaven itself hereafter. One

cannot obtain happiness here by means that are easy. Indeed, the woman

that is chaste, obtains weal with woe. Always adore Krishna, therefore,

with friendship and love physical sufferings. And do thou also act in a

way, by offering handsome seats and excellent garlands and various

perfumes and prompt service, that he may be devoted to thee, thinking,

"_I am truly loved by her!_" Hearing the voice of thy lord at the gate,

rise thou up from thy seat and stay in readiness within the room. And as

soon as thou seest him enter thy chamber, worship him by promptly

offering him a seat and water to wash his feet. And even when he

commands a maidservant to do anything, get thou up and do it thyself.

Let Krishna understand this temper of thy mind and know that thou

adorest him with all thy heart. And, O Satyabhama, whatever thy lord

speaketh before thee, do not blab of it even if it may not deserve

concealment,--for if any of thy co-wives were to speak of it unto

Vasudeva, he might be irritated with thee. Feed thou by every means in

thy power those that are dear and devoted to thy lord and always seek

his good. Thou shouldst, however, always keep thyself aloof from those

that are hostile to and against thy lord and seek to do him injury, as

also from those that are addicted to deceit. Foregoing all excitement

and carelessness in the presence of men, conceal thy inclinations by

observing silence, and thou shouldst not stay or converse in private

even with thy sons, Pradyumna and Samva. Thou shouldst form attachments

with only such females as are high-born and sinless and devoted to their

lords, and thou shouldst always shun women that are wrathful, addicted

to drinks, gluttonous, thievish, wicked and fickle. Behaviour such as

this is reputable and productive of prosperity; and while it is capable

of neutralising hostility, it also leadeth to heaven. Therefore, worship

thou thy husband, decking thyself in costly garlands and ornaments and

smearing thyself with unguents and excellent perfumes.'"

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose Vana Parva, Part 2 · 第 89 / 170 章