Shloka 13
Nala’s Embassy to Damayantī and the Gods’ Proposal (नलस्य दूतत्वं देवप्रस्तावश्च)
भवतो द्यूतदोषेण सर्वे वयमुपप्लुता: । अहीनपौरुषा बाला बलिभिबलवत्तरा:,“आपके जूएके दोषसे हमलोग पुरुषार्थयुक्त होकर भी दीन बन गये हैं और वे मूर्ख दुर्योधन आदि भेंटमें मिले हुए हमारे धनसे सम्पन्न हो इस समय अधिक बलशाली बन गये हैं
bhavato dyūtadoṣeṇa sarve vayam upaplutāḥ | ahīnapauruṣā bālā balibhir balavattarāḥ |
قال فايشَمبايانا: «بسبب خطيئتك في القمار غمرنا البلاء جميعًا وأُذللنا. ومع أن بأسَ الرجال فينا لم ينعدم حقًّا، فقد صرنا كالأطفال عجزًا؛ أمّا أولئك الأقوياء، وقد اغتنوا بما كسبوه من أموالنا، فقد ازدادوا قوةً الآن.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and political ruin caused by the vice of gambling: a single lapse in judgment can overwhelm even the capable, while empowering adversaries through unjustly gained wealth and advantage.
Vaiśampāyana explains that due to the gambling disaster, the speaker’s side has been plunged into helplessness despite retaining inner valor, whereas the opposing party has become stronger by acquiring their wealth through the dice-game.