Shloka 21
अक्षविजय-प्रसङ्गः
Escalation of Wagers and Shakuni’s Repeated Declarations of Victory
(संदिदेश ततः प्रेष्यान् नागाह्नयगतिं प्रति । ततस्ते नरशार्टूलाश्षक्रुर्वै नूपशासनम् ।।
saṃdideśa tataḥ preṣyān nāgāhnavī-gatiṃ prati | tataste naraśārdūlāś cakrur vai nṛpaśāsanam ||
तत्पश्चात् राजा युधिष्ठिर ने अपने सेवकों को नागाह्वय (हस्तिनापुर) की ओर प्रस्थान करने का आदेश दिया। वे नरशार्दूल सेवक राजाज्ञा का पालन करने में तत्पर हो गए।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined kingship: a ruler’s intent becomes ethical action through clear command and orderly execution. Even before the moral crisis of the dice-game unfolds, Yudhiṣṭhira’s conduct reflects procedural righteousness—acting through proper channels rather than impulsively.
Yudhiṣṭhira sends his attendants ahead with instructions to move toward the Gaṅgā-route, i.e., toward Hāstinapura. The attendants promptly obey, setting in motion the Pandavas’ formal journey that will culminate in the fateful assembly and gambling episode.