Shloka 7
अक्षदेवन-प्रवर्तनम् | Commencement of the Dice Game
दाक्षिणात्य: संनहनं स्रगुष्णीषे च मागध: । वसुदानो महेष्वासो गजेन्द्रं षष्टिहायनम्
dākṣiṇātyaḥ saṃnahanaṃ srag-uṣṇīṣe ca māgadhaḥ | vasudāno maheṣvāso gajendraṃ ṣaṣṭihāyanam ||
Duryodhana disse: “O rei do país do sul apresentou o equipamento de arreio (saṃnahana); o rei de Magadha ofereceu uma grinalda e um turbante (uṣṇīṣa). O grande arqueiro Vasudāna trouxe um elefante régio, de sessenta anos.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political loyalty is publicly performed through costly, martial gifts. Ethically, it points to the danger of conflating righteousness with spectacle and power: impressive offerings can strengthen an unjust cause as easily as a just one, reminding readers to judge actions by dharma rather than by grandeur.
Duryodhana is listing the contributions made by various allied kings and warriors—harnessing gear, garland and turban, and a prime elephant—presented as part of a grand preparation and display of support, emphasizing the scale of backing and the readiness for impending conflict.