Shloka 44
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
अथोयद्यानवरे तस्मिंस्तथा क्रीडागताश्न ते । परस्परस्य वक्त्रेभ्यो ददुर्भक्ष्यांस्ततस्तत:
atho yadyānavare tasmiṁs tathā krīḍāgatāś ca te | parasparasya vaktrebhyo dadur bhakṣyāṁs tatas tataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Kemudian, di taman yang indah itu, ketika Kaurava dan Pāṇḍava datang untuk bermain dan bersuka ria, mereka mula menyuapkan cebisan makanan ke mulut satu sama lain sebagai gurauan mesra. Namun dalam suasana yang sama (tatkala kisah berlanjut), Duryodhana yang berdosa, didorong hasrat membunuh Bhīmasena, telah menyuruh mencampurkan racun maut bernama Kālakūṭa ke dalam makanannya—menyingkap bagaimana iri hati dan adharma dapat bersembunyi di balik rupa persahabatan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in moments that appear playful and affectionate, inner motives matter: envy and adharma can operate under a mask of friendliness. The episode warns that ethical vigilance is needed when rivalry and resentment are present.
In a beautiful garden, the Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas engage in playful feeding as part of their sport. The broader narrative context (as continued in the passage) contrasts this outward camaraderie with Duryodhana’s hidden intent to harm Bhīma by poisoning his food with Kālakūṭa.