Shloka 3
Śakuni–Duryodhana-saṃvāda: Dyūta-yojanā (Śakuni and Duryodhana on Planning the Dice-Game)
एष हास्य महाबाहुस्तेजों5शश्न हरेर्धुवम् । तमेव पुनरादातुमिच्छत्युत तथा विभु:
eṣa hāsya mahābāhus tejo’ṁśaḥ harer dhruvam | tam eva punar ādātum icchaty uta tathā vibhuḥ ||
भीष्म उवाच—एष हास्य महाबाहुस्तेजोऽंशो हरेर्ध्रुवम्। तमेव पुनरादातुमिच्छत्युत तथा विभुः॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma frames extraordinary worldly power as derivative—only a portion of the Lord’s splendor—and therefore ultimately subject to divine will. Ethically, it cautions against pride in strength and urges humility before providence.
Bhīṣma identifies a heroic figure’s prowess as an assured share of Hari’s energy and suggests that the all-pervading Lord now intends to withdraw that share, foreshadowing a reversal of fortune or an impending fall in the unfolding events.