Shloka 8
अक्षविजय-प्रसङ्गः
Escalation of Wagers and Shakuni’s Repeated Declarations of Victory
समागम्य भ्रातृभि: पार्थ तस्यां सुहृद्द्यूत॑ क्रियतां रम्यतां च | प्रीयामहे भवतां संगमेन समागता: कुरवश्चापि सर्वे
samāgamya bhrātṛbhiḥ pārtha tasyāṃ suhṛd-dyūtaṃ kriyatāṃ ramyatāṃ ca | prīyāmahe bhavatāṃ saṅgamena samāgatāḥ kuravaś cāpi sarve ||
نقلَ فيدورا إلى أرجونا رسالةَ الملك: «يا بارثا، تعالَ إلى هنا مع إخوتك وانظر تلك القاعة الجديدة البهيّة. ليت الأصدقاء وذوي الودّ يجتمعون ويلعبون النرد للترويح. إنّا نحن الكورو جميعًا، وقد اجتمعنا، سنغتبط غاية الاغتباط بلقائك».
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A courteous invitation can conceal moral danger: amusement (ramyatā) like gambling (dyūta) easily becomes a doorway to adharma when driven by pride, rivalry, or manipulation. The verse highlights the need for discernment and self-restraint even in seemingly friendly social settings.
Vidura relays Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s invitation to Arjuna to come with his brothers to view the newly built assembly hall and to join a friendly gathering where dice-play is proposed. This sets the stage for the fateful dice match that will escalate the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.