Shloka 2
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Restraint and the Pāṇḍavas’ Authorized Return (धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
युधिछिर उवाच मम वित्तमसंख्येयं यदहं वेद सौबल । अथ त्वं शकुने कस्माद् वित्तं समनुपृच्छसि,युधिष्ठटिर बोले--सुबलपुत्र! मेरे पास असंख्य धन है, जिसे मैं जानता हूँ। शकुने! तुम मेरे धनका परिमाण क्यों पूछते हो?
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | mama vittam asaṅkhyeyaṁ yad ahaṁ veda saubala | atha tvaṁ śakune kasmād vittaṁ samanupṛcchasi ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O son of Subala, I know my wealth to be beyond counting. Tell me, Śakuni—why do you ask after the measure of my riches?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between rightful prosperity and manipulative curiosity: Yudhiṣṭhira’s confidence in his resources contrasts with Śakuni’s probing, which foreshadows exploitation through gambling and tests the king’s discernment (viveka) in the face of temptation.
In the lead-up to the dice match, Śakuni questions Yudhiṣṭhira about his wealth. Yudhiṣṭhira replies that his riches are innumerable and asks why Śakuni is inquiring—an exchange that signals Śakuni’s intent to draw him into staking more and more.