Shloka 11
वंशवर्णनम्, अनिरुद्धविवाहः, तथा बलराम-रुक्मी द्यूतविवादः
अनक्षज्ञो हली द्यूते तथास्य व्यसनं महत् न जयामो बलं कस्माद् द्यूते नैनं महाद्युते
anakṣajño halī dyūte tathāsya vyasanaṃ mahat na jayāmo balaṃ kasmād dyūte nainaṃ mahādyute
‘Hali (Balarāma) knows nothing of the dice-game, yet his craving for it is immense. Why, then, do we not defeat him by force? In this great match of gambling, we shall not overcome him by play.’
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya within the dynastic narration; the line itself reflects a character’s counsel/assessment in the story about Balarāma’s gambling)
Concept: Scorn for another’s weakness and the urge to win by force rather than fairness are seeds of adharma that precipitate downfall.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Avoid exploiting others’ vulnerabilities; choose transparent rules and non-coercive competition in work and relationships.
Vishishtadvaita: Even within worldly līlā, the Lord’s order (niyati) turns adharmic intent into a catalyst for restoring moral balance.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
FAQs
This verse treats gambling as a powerful vyasana (vice) that can distort judgment and provoke conflict, serving as a moral warning within the dynastic histories.
By highlighting that even a mighty figure like Hali can be ‘unskilled’ yet strongly drawn to the game, Parāśara underscores how attachment can overpower competence and lead to disorder.
Though Vishnu is not named in this verse, the Purana’s broader frame presents Vishnu as the supreme regulator of dharma; episodes of vice and conflict in royal lines illustrate the need for alignment with that higher order.