Shloka 203
Adhyāya 59: Vidura’s Admonition to Duryodhana after the Summons of Draupadī (सभा पर्व)
मदर्थ देविता चायं शकुनिर्मातुलो मम । दुर्योधन बोला--महाराज! दाँवपर लगानेके लिये धन और रत्न तो मैं दूँगा; परंतु मेरी ओरसे खेलेंगे ये मेरे मामा शकुनि
madarthe devitā cāyaṃ śakunir mātulo mama |
قال دوريوذانا: «يا مولاي الملك! من أجلي سيلعب شكوني—خالِي—أيضًا. سأقدّم المال والجواهر لتكون رهانًا؛ غير أن خالي شكوني هو الذي سيرمي النرد نيابةً عني.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moral evasion: by funding the wager while letting Shakuni play, Duryodhana tries to gain the fruits of a questionable act without bearing full personal accountability. It underscores how unethical intentions often operate through intermediaries, blurring responsibility while intensifying harm.
In the royal assembly context of the dice match, Duryodhana declares that he will supply the valuables to be wagered, but Shakuni—renowned for skill and trickery with dice—will play on his behalf, setting the stage for the manipulative gambling episode against the Pandavas.