Shloka 3
Adhyāya 59: Vidura’s Admonition to Duryodhana after the Summons of Draupadī (सभा पर्व)
तेषु तत्रोपविष्टेषु सर्वेष्वथ नृपेषु च शकुनि: सौबलस्तत्र युधिष्ठिरमभाषत,उनके एवं सब नरेशोंके बैठ जानेपर वहाँ सुबलकुमार शकुनिने युधिष्ठिरसे कहा
teṣu tatropaviṣṭeṣu sarveṣv atha nṛpeṣu ca śakuniḥ saubalastatra yudhiṣṭhiram abhāṣata
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「そこに居並ぶ諸王が皆着座すると、スバラの子シャクニが、ユディシュティラに向かって言葉を発した。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames how ethical downfall can begin through seemingly formal, polite speech in a public setting: when power, reputation, and social pressure dominate, dharma can be manipulated by those skilled in deceit.
After the gathered kings have taken their seats in the assembly, Śakuni initiates conversation with Yudhiṣṭhira—an opening move that leads into the high-stakes events of the court, especially the coercive dynamics surrounding the game of dice.