Shloka 18
Saṃśaptaka-Varūthinī Saṅgrāma — Binding and Counter-Binding (संशप्तक-वरूथिनी-संग्रामः)
दासीनां निष्ककण्ठीनां मागधीनां शतं तथा । प्रत्यग्रवयसां दद्यां यो मे ब्रूयाद् धनंजयम्,'जो मुझे अर्जुनका पता बता देगा, उसे मैं सोनेके कण्ठहारोंसे विभूषित मगधदेशकी सौ नवयुवती दासियाँ दूँगा
dāsīnāṁ niṣkakaṇṭhīnāṁ māgadhīnāṁ śataṁ tathā | pratyagravayasāṁ dadyāṁ yo me brūyād dhanañjayam ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Magkakaloob ako ng sandaang aliping dalaga mula sa Magadha—may mga gintong kuwintas sa leeg at sariwa pa sa kabataan—sa sinumang magsasabi sa akin kung nasaan si Dhanañjaya (Arjuna).”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the pressure of war, leaders may resort to material inducements and the objectification of people to gain information—inviting reflection on the ethical costs of victory-driven decision-making.
A reward is proclaimed for intelligence about Arjuna’s whereabouts: whoever reveals Dhanañjaya’s location will be given a hundred young Magadhan maidservants adorned with golden neck-ornaments.