Shloka 2
उद्योगपर्व (अध्याय १२९) — केशवस्य वैभवप्रदर्शनम् / Krishna’s Theophanic Display in the Kuru Assembly
ततः सभाया निर्गम्य मन्त्रयामास कौरव: । सौबलेन मताक्षेण राज्ञा शकुनिना सह,तत्पश्चात् सभाभवनसे निकलकर दुर्योधनने द्यूतविद्याके जानकार सुबलपुत्र राजा शकुनिके साथ गुप्तरूपसे मन्त्रणा की
tataḥ sabhāyā nirgamyā mantrayāmāsa kauravaḥ | saubalenā matākṣeṇa rājñā śakuninā saha ||
Kemudian sang Kaurava, Duryodhana, keluar dari balairung sidang dan mengadakan perundingan rahasia dengan Raja Śakuni putra Subala, yang mahir dalam permainan dadu.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical warning: when leaders abandon transparent, dharmic counsel and instead seek guidance from those skilled in deception (here symbolized by mastery of dice), decisions tend to drift toward adharma and manipulation, sowing wider conflict.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Duryodhana leaves the assembly hall and privately consults King Śakuni, Subala’s son, renowned for expertise in dice—signaling a move toward covert planning and reliance on cunning tactics.