Shloka 51
Rājasūyābhiṣeka-darśana: Duryodhana’s Observation of the Consecration
अपृष्टवा विदुरं स्वस्य नासीत् कश्रिद् विनिश्चय: । द्यूते दोषांश्न जानन् स पुत्रस्नेहादकृष्यत
apṛṣṭvā viduraṃ svasya nāsīt kaścid viniścayaḥ | dyūte doṣāṃś ca jānan sa putrasnehād akṛṣyata ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Ohne zuvor Vidura zu befragen, konnte er zu keinem festen Entschluss gelangen. Doch obwohl er die dem Glücksspiel innewohnenden Fehler kannte, zog ihn die Zuneigung zu seinem Sohn dorthin.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one knows an action is harmful (such as gambling), attachment—especially parental affection—can overpower discernment. The verse also highlights the ethical necessity of seeking wise counsel (Vidura) before making consequential decisions.
The narrator describes Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s dependence on Vidura for sound judgment, yet shows how Dhṛtarāṣṭra, despite recognizing the dangers of the dice-game, becomes inclined toward it due to affection for his son (Duryodhana), setting the stage for the unfolding crisis.