Mahabharata — Sabha Parva, Shloka 45
पुनर्द्यूत-समाह्वानम्
Renewed Summons to the Dice-Game and Exile Wager
कर्णस्तु तद्वाक्यमतीव हृष्ट: सम्पूजयामास हसन् सशब्दम् | गान्धारराज: सुबलस्य पुत्र- स्तथैव दुःशासनमभ्यनन्दत्
karṇas tu tadvākyam atīva hṛṣṭaḥ sampūjayāmāsa hasan saśabdam | gāndhārarājaḥ subalasya putras tathaiva duḥśāsanam abhyanandat |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Karṇa sangat gembira mendengar kata-kata itu; dia ketawa kuat sambil memuji ucapan Duḥśāsana. Begitu juga raja Gāndhāra—Śakuni, putera Subala—turut menyatakan persetujuan terhadap Duḥśāsana.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how unethical intentions gain strength when influential figures publicly applaud and mock, creating a social environment where adharma feels acceptable and even celebrated.
After Duḥśāsana speaks, Karṇa reacts with loud laughter and praise, and Śakuni likewise endorses him—showing coordinated encouragement among key Kaurava allies within the royal assembly setting.