Shloka 7
Dyūta-āhvāna: Śakuni’s Proposal, Vidura’s Warning, and the Summons of Yudhiṣṭhira
Sabhā-parva 51
कमण्डलूनुपादाय जातरूपमयाउ्छुभान् । एवं बलि समादाय प्रवेशं लेभिरे न च,महाराज! ब्राह्मणलोग तथा गाय-बैलोंका पोषण करनेवाले वैश्य और दास-कर्मके योग्य शूद्र आदि सभी महात्मा धर्मराजकी प्रसन्नताके लिये तीन खर्बके लागतकी भेंट लेकर दरवाजेपर रोके हुए खड़े थे। ब्राह्मणलोग तथा हरी-भरी खेती उपजाकर जीवन-निर्वाह करनेवाले और बहुत-से गाय-बैल रखनेवाले वैश्य सैकड़ों दलोंमें इकट्ठे होकर सोनेके बने हुए सुन्दर कलश एवं अन्य भेंट-सामग्री लेकर द्वारपर खड़े थे। परंतु भीतर प्रवेश नहीं कर पाते थे
duryodhana uvāca | kamaṇḍalūn upādāya jātarūpamayān śubhān | evaṃ baliṃ samādāya praveśaṃ lebhire na ca, mahārāja |
Duryodhana said: “Taking up auspicious water-pots made of gold, and bearing such offerings, they still did not obtain entry, O King. At the very door stood Brahmins, and also Vaiśyas who sustain themselves by flourishing agriculture and by tending many cows and bulls, along with Śūdras fit for service—noble-minded people all—bringing costly gifts to please Dharmarāja; yet they were unable to go inside.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how public acts of dharma—ritual honor and generous offerings to a righteous king—can become entangled in courtly control and rivalry. It implicitly contrasts sincere devotion and social participation with the politics of access and the jealousy that later fuels conflict.
Duryodhana reports to the king that many groups—Brahmins, agrarian and cattle-keeping Vaiśyas, and service Śūdras—arrived with rich gifts (including golden ceremonial pots) to please Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharmarāja), but they were stopped at the entrance and could not gain admission inside.