Shloka 13
शकुने! हमलोग जिस धनसे अपनी शक्तिके अनुसार ब्राह्मणोंकी रक्षा करनेका ही प्रयत्न करते हैं, उसको तुम जूआ खेलकर हमलोगोंसे हड़पनेकी चेष्टा न करो ।। निकृत्या कामये नाहं सुखान्युत धनानि वा । कितवस्येह कृतिनो वृत्तमेतन्न पूज्यते,मैं धूर्ततापूर्ण बर्तावके द्वारा सुख अथवा धन पानेकी इच्छा नहीं करता; क्योंकि जुआरीके कार्यको विद्वान् पुरुष अच्छा नहीं समझते
śakune! nikṛtyā kāmaye nāhaṃ sukhāny uta dhanāni vā | kitavasyeha kṛtino vṛttam etan na pūjyate ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Śakuni, do not try to seize from us by gambling that wealth with which, according to our capacity, we strive to protect and support the Brāhmaṇas. I do not desire pleasures or riches by means of deceitful conduct, for the ways of a gambler are not regarded as worthy of honor by the wise in this world.”
युधिषछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth and pleasure should not be pursued through nikṛti (deceit) or gambling; the wise do not honor the conduct of a kitava (gambler). Dharma requires integrity and responsible use of wealth, especially for protecting and supporting Brāhmaṇas.
In the lead-up to the dice match, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Śakuni, warning him not to try to take the Pāṇḍavas’ wealth through gambling. He frames the issue ethically: their wealth is meant for righteous obligations, and deceitful gambling is socially and morally disapproved by the learned.