Shloka 24
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Restraint and the Pāṇḍavas’ Authorized Return (धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
युधिछिर उवाच यो नो नेता युधि नः प्रणेता यथा वज्री दानवशत्रुरेक: । तिर्यक्प्रेक्षी संनत भ्रूर्महात्मा सिंहस्कन्धो यश्नू सदात्यमर्षी
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | yo no netā yudhi naḥ praṇetā yathā vajrī dānavāśatrur ekaḥ | tiryakprekṣī saṃnata-bhrūr mahātmā siṃha-skandho yaśnū sadātyamārṣī |
Yudhiṣṭhira sprach: „O König! Der, der uns in der Schlacht führt, unser vornehmster Feldherr—wie Indra, der den Vajra trägt, der einzige Feind der Dānavas—mit schrägem Blick, mit wie ein Bogen gewölbten Brauen, von großem Herzen, mit Schultern wie ein Löwe, stets erfüllt von grimmiger Empörung, an Kraft von keinem Mann zu erreichen—diesen Prinzen Bhīmasena setze ich in diesem Würfelspiel, obgleich er nicht dazu taugt, als Einsatz verpfändet zu werden.“
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one recognizes a deed as improper—here, wagering a person—attachment, pride, and the intoxication of play can override dharma. The verse highlights the ethical collapse that begins with treating persons as property, despite knowing it is wrong.
In the dice match, Yudhiṣṭhira continues staking ever more precious ‘possessions.’ He praises Bhīma’s heroic qualities—likening him to Indra in battle—yet still names him as a stake, underscoring the tragic momentum of the dyūta (gambling) episode.