Dyūta-kathā-praśnaḥ — Inquiry into the Dice-Game Calamity
युधिष्ठिर: सहामात्य: प्रविवेश पुरोत्तमम् दुर्योधनो महाराज शकुनिश्चापि सौबल: । सभायां रमणीयायां तत्रैवास्ते नराधिप
vaiśampāyana uvāca | yudhiṣṭhiraḥ sahāmātyaḥ praviveśa purottamam | duryodhano mahārāja śakuniścāpi saubalaḥ | sabhāyāṃ ramaṇīyāṃ tatrāivāste narādhipa |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Yudhiṣṭhira, bersama para menterinya, memasuki kota baginda yang utama. Tetapi Duryodhana, wahai raja agung, dan Śakuni putera Subala, tetap berada di sana, di balairung perhimpunan yang indah itu.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse underscores a moral contrast: the dharmic king returns to orderly governance with his counsellors, while the envious and manipulative figures remain in the assembly hall—hinting that institutions meant for justice can be corrupted when driven by resentment and deceit.
After the broader gathering disperses, Yudhiṣṭhira enters his capital with his ministers, whereas Duryodhana and Śakuni stay behind in the splendid sabhā, setting the stage for the coming plot centered on the assembly hall.