Shloka 7
Akṣa-hṛdaya-dāna and Phalāśruti of the Nalopākhyāna (अक्षहृदयदानम् / नलोपाख्यान-फलश्रुतिः)
जित्वा परस्वमाहृत्य राज्यं वा यदि वा वसु । प्रतिपाण: प्रदातव्य: परमो धर्म उच्यते,'जूएके दाँवमें दूसरेका राज्य या धन जीतकर रख लिया जाय तो उसे यदि वह पुनः खेलना चाहे तो प्रतिपण (बदलेका दाव) देना चाहिये, यह परम धर्म कहा गया है
jitvā parasvam āhṛtya rājyaṃ vā yadi vā vasu | pratipāṇaḥ pradātavyaḥ paramo dharma ucyate ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “If, having won another’s property—be it a kingdom or mere wealth—one keeps it, then should the defeated party wish to play again, a counter-stake must be offered to him. This is declared to be the highest rule of fair conduct.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in gambling, dharma demands fairness: if one has won and kept another’s wealth or kingdom, and the loser seeks a rematch, the winner should provide a counter-stake (pratipāṇa) so the contest is not one-sided.
Bṛhadaśva, speaking in the Vana Parva context of instruction connected with dice-play, states a rule of proper conduct for wagering: after winning another’s assets, the winner should offer an equal stake if the other wishes to play again.