Shloka 19
Adhyāya 48 — Duryodhana’s Account of Tribute and the Provisioned Court (सभा पर्व, अध्याय ४८)
शकुनिरुवाच द्यूतप्रियश्न॒ कौन्तेयो न स जानाति देवितुम् । समाहूतश्न राजेन्द्रो न शक्ष्यति निवर्तितुम्
śakunir uvāca: dyūtapriyaḥ kaunteyo na sa jānāti devitum | samāhūtaś ca rājendro na śakṣyati nivartitum ||
قال شَكُوني: «أيها الملك، إن ابن كونتي (يودهيشثيرا) مولعٌ بلعب النرد، لكنه لا يعرف اللعب حقّ المعرفة. فإذا دُعي ذلك الملك—يا خير الملوك—إلى مجلس النرد، فلن يستطيع الانصراف أو الامتناع.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A moral weakness (addiction/attachment) combined with social obligation can be exploited by the unscrupulous; discernment and restraint are necessary even when etiquette urges acceptance.
Śakuni advises that Yudhiṣṭhira loves dice though he lacks skill, and that if summoned to play he will feel compelled to accept and will not withdraw—setting up the Kauravas’ plan to ensnare him through gambling.