Shloka 10
Book 3 (Āraṇyaka-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Alliance Gathering; Arjuna’s Praise of Keśava; Draupadī’s Duḥkha-nivedana; Assurances and Vows
एतच्चान्यच्च कौरव्य प्रसज्िकटुकोदयम् | द्यूते ब्रूयां महाबाहो समासाद्याम्बिकासुतम्,जूएसे एक ही दिनमें सारे धनका नाश हो जाता है। साथ ही जूआ खेलनेसे उसके प्रति आसक्ति होनी निश्चित है। समस्त भोग-पदार्थोंका बिना भोगे ही नाश हो जाता है और बदलेमें केवल कटुवचन सुननेको मिलते हैं। कुरुनन्दन! ये तथा और भी बहुत-से दोष हैं, जो जूएके प्रसंगसे कटु परिणाम उत्पन्न करनेवाले हैं। महाबाहो! मैं धृतराष्ट्रसे मिलकर जूएके ये सभी दोष बतलाता
etac cānyac ca kauravya prasajji-kaṭukodayam | dyūte brūyāṃ mahābāho samāsādyāmbikāsutam ||
O scion of the Kurus, gambling brings on attachment and yields bitter consequences. In a single day one’s wealth can be ruined; pleasures and possessions perish without ever being truly enjoyed, and in return one gains only harsh words and humiliation. These and many other faults arise from the very occasion of dice. Mighty-armed one, having approached the son of Ambikā (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), I will tell him all these defects of gambling.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Gambling (dyūta) is portrayed as a destructive vice: it breeds attachment, can annihilate wealth swiftly, wastes life’s enjoyments without real fulfillment, and culminates in disgrace and bitter speech. The verse frames this as an ethical warning relevant to rulers and households alike.
Vāyudeva addresses a Kuru-descended hero and declares his intention to approach Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Ambikā’s son) to explain the many faults and bitter consequences that arise from the practice of dice-play.