Shloka 8
उद्योगपर्व — विदुरोक्तिः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra Addressed on Sincerity, Hospitality, and Settlement
दासीनामप्रजातानां शुभानां रुक्मवर्चसाम् | शतमस्मै प्रदास्यामि दासानामपि तावताम्
dāsīnām aprajātānāṁ śubhānāṁ rukmavarcasām | śatam asmai pradāsyāmi dāsānām api tāvatām ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra berkata: “Aku akan mengurniakannya seratus dayang—bertanda baik, bersinar laksana emas, dan belum pernah menjadi ibu (belum melahirkan anak). Dan aku juga akan mengurniakan bilangan hamba lelaki yang sama banyak.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension: attempting to resolve a grave ethical and political crisis through material inducements. It implicitly contrasts wealth-based appeasement with the deeper requirement of dharma—fairness, rightful conduct, and accountability.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra is proposing lavish gifts—hundreds of servants—to the other party as part of negotiations meant to avert escalation. The offer reflects the court’s diplomatic maneuvering on the eve of war, seeking settlement through concessions rather than addressing the underlying injustice.