Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/420

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386
MAHABHARATA.

friendship I had with thee, O thou first of Brahmanas, was fora particular purpose. Friendship can never subsist between a poor man and a rich man, between a man of letters and an unlettered hind, between a hero and a coward. Why dost thou therefore desire the continuance of our former friendship? There may be friendship or hostility between persons equally situated as to wealth or might. The indigent and the affluent can neither be friends nor quarrel with each other. One of impure birth can never be a friend to one of pure birth; one who is not a charioteer can never bema friend to one who is so; and one who is not a king can never have a king for his friend. Therefore, why dost thou desire the continuance of our former friendship?'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Drupada, the mighty son of Bharadwaja became filled with wrath, and reflecting for a moment, made up his mind as to his course of action. Seeing the insolence of the Panchala king, he wished to check it effectually. Hastily leaving the Panchala capital, Drona bent his steps towards the capital of the Kurus, named after the elephant."

Thus ends the hundred and thirty-second Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.


Section CXXXII.

Sambhava Parva continued. )

Vaisampayana said, "Arrived at Hastinapore, that best of Brahmanas—the son of Bharadwaja—continued to live privately in the house of Gautama (Kripa). His mighty son (Aswathamā) at intervals of Kripa's teaching, used to give the sons of Kunti lessons in the use of arms. But as yet none knew of Aswathamā's prowess.

"Drona had thus lived privately for sometime in the house of Kripa, when one day the heroic princes, all in a company, came out of Hastinapore. And coming out of the city, they began to play with a ball and roam about in gladness of heart, And it so happened that the ball with which they had been playing fell into a well. And thereupon the princes strove their