Shloka 17
अक्षद्यूतप्रवेशः — Kali’s Entry and the Initiation of the Dice-Contest
एष धर्मो यदि स्वार्थो ममापि भविता ततः । एवं स्वार्थ करिष्यामि तथा भद्रे विधीयताम्,“यदि यह धर्म सुरक्षित रहे तो उससे मेरे स्वार्थकी भी सिद्धि हो सकती है। भद्रे! तुम ऐसा प्रयत्न करो, जिससे मैं इस प्रकार धर्मयुक्त स्वार्थकी सिद्धि करूँ:
bṛhadaśva uvāca |
eṣa dharmo yadi svārtho mamāpi bhavitā tataḥ |
evaṃ svārtha kariṣyāmi tathā bhadre vidhīyatām ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “If this course is truly dharma, and from it my own rightful interest may also be fulfilled, then I shall pursue my interest in just that way. Therefore, O gentle lady, let it be arranged accordingly—make such an effort that I may attain my aim without departing from dharma.”
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a key Mahābhārata ethic: personal advantage (svārtha) is acceptable when it is pursued through dharma, not against it. The speaker commits to achieving his aim only in a dharma-consistent manner.
Bṛhadaśva responds to a proposed course of action, stating that if it is indeed righteous and can also accomplish his objective, he will proceed accordingly. He addresses a woman respectfully as “bhadre,” asking her to arrange matters so his goal is achieved without violating dharma.