Mahabharata 3.78.7 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 78, Shloka 7
Akṣa-hṛdaya-dāna and Phalāśruti of the Nalopākhyāna (अक्षहृदयदानम् / नलोपाख्यान-फलश्रुतिः)
जित्वा परस्वमाहृत्य राज्यं वा यदि वा वसु । प्रतिपाण: प्रदातव्य: परमो धर्म उच्यते
jitvā parasvam āhṛtya rājyaṃ vā yadi vā vasu | pratipāṇaḥ pradātavyaḥ paramo dharma ucyate ||
जित्वा परस्वमाहृत्य राज्यं वा यदि वा वसु। प्रतिपाणः प्रदातव्यः परमो धर्म उच्यते॥
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in gambling, dharma demands fairness: if one has won and kept another’s wealth or kingdom, and the loser seeks a rematch, the winner should provide a counter-stake (pratipāṇa) so the contest is not one-sided.
Bṛhadaśva, speaking in the Vana Parva context of instruction connected with dice-play, states a rule of proper conduct for wagering: after winning another’s assets, the winner should offer an equal stake if the other wishes to play again.
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