Shloka 8
अक्षविजय-प्रसङ्गः
Escalation of Wagers and Shakuni’s Repeated Declarations of Victory
समागम्य भ्रातृभि: पार्थ तस्यां सुहृद्द्यूत॑ क्रियतां रम्यतां च | प्रीयामहे भवतां संगमेन समागता: कुरवश्चापि सर्वे
samāgamya bhrātṛbhiḥ pārtha tasyāṃ suhṛd-dyūtaṃ kriyatāṃ ramyatāṃ ca | prīyāmahe bhavatāṃ saṅgamena samāgatāḥ kuravaś cāpi sarve ||
विदुर ने कहा—हे पार्थ! भाइयों सहित यहाँ आओ और उस रमणीय नवनिर्मित सभागृह को देखो। वहाँ इष्ट-मित्र और सुहृद् एकत्र हों और मनोरंजनार्थ द्यूतक्रीड़ा करें। तुमसे मिलकर हम सब कौरव, हे कुरुराज, अत्यन्त प्रसन्न होंगे।
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A courteous invitation can conceal moral danger: amusement (ramyatā) like gambling (dyūta) easily becomes a doorway to adharma when driven by pride, rivalry, or manipulation. The verse highlights the need for discernment and self-restraint even in seemingly friendly social settings.
Vidura relays Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s invitation to Arjuna to come with his brothers to view the newly built assembly hall and to join a friendly gathering where dice-play is proposed. This sets the stage for the fateful dice match that will escalate the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.