Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 34
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
एवमुकक्त्वा तु ते व्याधा: सम्प्रह्ष्टा धनार्थिन: । मांसभारानुपादाय प्रययु: शिबिरं प्रति
evam uktvā tu te vyādhāḥ samprahṛṣṭā dhanārthinaḥ | māṁsa-bhārān upādāya prayayuḥ śibiraṁ prati ||
Sañjaya said: Having thus spoken among themselves, those hunters—eager for gain—became greatly delighted. Lifting the loads of meat, they set out toward the Pāṇḍavas’ camp, driven by the prospect of reward amid the harsh necessities of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how material desire (dhanārthitā) can become a decisive motive even amid war, showing the ethical tension between livelihood and the violence that sustains armies.
After their discussion, the hunters—pleased at the prospect of payment—pick up their meat loads and head toward the Pāṇḍavas’ military camp to deliver provisions.