Shloka 23
सभा-पर्व, अध्याय 56: विदुरस्य द्यूत-निन्दा
Vidura’s Censure of Dicing and Warning to the Kurus
थोड़े ही समयमें तैयार हुई उस असंख्य रत्नोंसे सुशोभित रमणीय एवं विचित्र सभाको अद्भुत सोनेके आसनोंद्वारा सजा दिया गया। तत्पश्चात् विश्वस्त सेवकोंने राजा धृतराष्ट्रको उस सभाभवनके तैयार हो जानेकी सूचना दी ।।
tato vidvān viduraṁ mantrimukhyaṁ uvācedaṁ dhṛtarāṣṭro narendraḥ | yudhiṣṭhiraṁ rājaputraṁ ca gatvā madvākyena kṣipramihānayasva ||
Then King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of men, spoke to Vidura—the wise, foremost of ministers: “Go to Prince Yudhiṣṭhira, and by my message bring him here quickly.” Meanwhile, the splendid and wondrous hall, adorned with countless jewels and furnished with marvelous golden seats, had been made ready; trusted attendants informed the king that it was complete.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between rightful royal protocol and the potential misuse of power: a king’s summons, delivered through a trusted minister, can appear legitimate while serving hidden political aims. It also foregrounds Vidura’s role as a dharmic counsellor placed within a morally fraught court.
After the magnificent assembly hall has been prepared and the king informed, Dhṛtarāṣṭra instructs Vidura to go to Yudhiṣṭhira and quickly bring him to the hall by conveying the king’s message—setting the stage for events in the royal court.