Shloka 21
दुर्योधनस्य प्रायोपवेशः — शकुनिसान्त्वनम् तथा कृत्याह्वानम्
Duryodhana’s Fast: Śakuni’s Consolation and the Summoning of a Kṛtyā
तथा कथयमानौ तौ घोषयात्राविनिश्चयम् । गान्धारराज: शकुनि: प्रत्युवाच हसन्निव,घोषयात्राका निश्चय करनेके लिये इस प्रकारकी बातें करते हुए उन दोनों सुहृदोंसे गान्धारराज शकुनिने हँसते हुए-से कहा--
tathā kathayamānau tau ghoṣayātrā-viniścayam | gāndhārarājaḥ śakuniḥ pratyuvāca hasann iva ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Enquanto aqueles dois amigos assim conversavam e firmavam a decisão de empreender a expedição de incursão ao gado, Śakuni, rei de Gandhāra, respondeu-lhes com uma risada—como em escárnio—insinuando o conselho astuto e interesseiro que em breve haveria de conduzir a resolução deles.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how seemingly light or joking speech in political counsel can conceal manipulation. Ethical discernment is required: decisions driven by mockery, envy, or crafty advice tend to lead toward adharma and wider conflict.
Two allies are discussing and finalizing a plan for the ghoṣayātrā (a cattle-raid/expedition connected with cowherd settlements). At that moment Śakuni, the Gandhāran king, responds with an amused, derisive tone, signaling his role in steering the plan through cunning counsel.