Shloka 17
Arjuna’s Absence, Bhīma’s Kṣātra-Dharma Appeal, and Bṛhadaśva’s Arrival
Nala-Upākhyāna Begins
ये चास्य सचिवा मन्दा: कर्णमौबलकादय: । ते तस्य भूयसो दोषान् वर्धयन्ति विचेतस:,कर्ण और शकुनि आदि जो उसके मूर्ख मन्त्री हैं, वे भी विचारशून्य होकर उसके अधिक-से-अधिक दोष बढ़ानेकी ही चेष्टा करते हैं
ye cāsya sacivā mandāḥ karṇa-śakuni-ādayaḥ | te tasya bhūyaso doṣān vardhayanti vicetasaḥ ||
E seus conselheiros de entendimento embotado—Karna, Shakuni e os demais—desprovidos de discernimento, empenham-se apenas em aumentar ainda mais as suas faltas.
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unwise or unethical advisers can amplify a ruler’s vices; responsibility for adharma spreads through counsel that encourages wrongdoing rather than restrains it.
Dhritarashtra reflects on the harmful role of Duryodhana’s inner circle—especially Karna and Shakuni—lamenting that their thoughtless counsel worsens the prince’s moral failings.