Shloka 44
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
अथोयद्यानवरे तस्मिंस्तथा क्रीडागताश्न ते । परस्परस्य वक्त्रेभ्यो ददुर्भक्ष्यांस्ततस्तत:,तदनन्तर उस सुन्दर उद्यानमें क्रीड़ाके लिये आये हुए कौरव और पाण्डव एक-दूसरेके मुँहमें खानेकी वस्तुएँ डालने लगे। उस समय पापी दुर्योधनने भीमसेनको मार डालनेकी इच्छासे उनके भोजनमें कालकूट नामक विष डलवा दिया
atho yadyānavare tasmiṁs tathā krīḍāgatāś ca te | parasparasya vaktrebhyo dadur bhakṣyāṁs tatas tataḥ ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Depois, naquele jardim encantador, como haviam ido ali para brincar e folgar, os Kauravas e os Pāṇḍavas começaram, em amistosa pilhéria, a pôr bocados de comida na boca uns dos outros. Mas no mesmo cenário (à medida que a narrativa prossegue), o pecaminoso Duryodhana, tomado do desejo de matar Bhīmasena, mandou misturar em sua comida o veneno mortal chamado Kālakūṭa—revelando como a inveja e o adharma podem ocultar-se sob a aparência de companheirismo.
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.