Shloka 3
Bhīmasena’s Admonition to Yudhiṣṭhira on Rājya and the Ordering of Dharma–Artha–Kāma
Book 3, Chapter 34
अहं हाक्षानन्वपद्यं जिहीर्षन् राज्यं सराष्ट्र धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रात् । तन्मां शठ: कितव: प्रत्यदेवीत् सुयोधनार्थ सुबलस्य पुत्र:,उन दिनों धृतराष्ट्रपुत्र दुर्योधनके हाथसे उसके राष्ट्र तथा राजपदका अपहरण करनेकी इच्छा रखकर ही मैं द्यूतक्रीड़ामें प्रवृत्त हुआ था; किंतु उस समय धूर्त जुआरी सुबलपुत्र शकुनि दुर्योधनके लिये उसकी ओरसे मेरे विपक्षमें आकर जूआ खेलने लगा
ahaṃ hy akṣān anvapadyaṃ jihīrṣan rājyaṃ sa-rāṣṭraṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāt | tan māṃ śaṭhaḥ kitavaḥ pratyadevīt suyodhanārthaṃ subalasya putraḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “It was with the intention of reclaiming the kingdom together with its realm from Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son that I entered into the game of dice. But then that deceitful gambler—the son of Subala—stood against me and played on behalf of Suyodhana.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical accountability in political action: even when one believes the goal is just (recovering a rightful kingdom), entering a morally hazardous means (gambling) exposes one to deceit and downfall. It underscores the dharmic caution that ends do not automatically purify questionable means.
Yudhiṣṭhira explains his motive for accepting the dice game: he hoped to regain the kingdom and realm from Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son. He then notes that Śakuni, Subala’s son, acted as a crafty opponent, effectively playing for Duryodhana and against him.