Shloka 5
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Restraint and the Pāṇḍavas’ Authorized Return (धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
वैशम्पायन उवाच पक पाक निकृतिं समुपाश्रित: । शकुनिर्युधिष्ठिरमभाषत,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! यह सुनकर शकुनिने छलका आश्रय ले पुनः इसी निश्चयके साथ युधिष्ठिरसे कहा--'लो, यह धन भी मैंने जीत लिया”
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: pakṣa-pāka-nikṛtiṁ samupāśritaḥ śakunir yudhiṣṭhiram abhāṣata—“lo, idaṁ dhanaṁ api mayā jitam.”
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ജനമേജയാ! കപടവും ചതിയും ആശ്രയിച്ച്, അതേ ദൃഢനിശ്ചയത്തോടെ ശകുനി വീണ്ടും യുധിഷ്ഠിരനോട് പറഞ്ഞു—“നോക്കൂ, ഈ ധനവും ഞാൻ ജയിച്ചു.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical corruption of outcomes achieved through nikṛti (fraud). It frames Śakuni’s ‘victory’ as morally tainted, warning that gains secured by deception undermine dharma and precipitate wider ruin.
In the dice-game sequence, Śakuni—relying on trickery—speaks again to Yudhiṣṭhira, declaring that he has won yet more wealth. The narration emphasizes repeated, deliberate manipulation rather than a fair contest.