Shloka 42
Rājasūyābhiṣeka-darśana: Duryodhana’s Observation of the Consecration
अयमुत्सहते राजज्छियमाहर्तुमक्षवित् । द्यूतेन पाण्डुपुत्रस्य तदनुज्ञातुमहसि
ayam utsahate rājan chriyam āhartum akṣavit | dyūtena pāṇḍuputrasya tad anu-jñātum arhasi vaiśampāyana uvāca ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Oh rey, este experto en dados se atreve a apoderarse, mediante el juego, de la fortuna real del hijo de Pāṇḍu. Por ello, debes concederle permiso».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical failure: using gambling as a calculated instrument to dispossess a rightful king. It underscores how royal authority, when used to authorize deceitful means, becomes complicit in adharma.
In the lead-up to the dice match, the Kaurava side presents Śakuni as a master of dice who is ready to win away Yudhiṣṭhira’s royal prosperity. The speaker urges the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) to grant permission for this plan.