Shloka 19
पाण्डवानां वनप्रस्थानवर्णनम् / The Pāṇḍavas’ Departure for the Forest
Vidura’s Report and Portents
स्वप्ने यथैतद् विजितं धन स्या- देवं मनन््ये यस्य दीव्यत्यनीश: । गान्धारराजस्य वचो निशम्य धर्मादस्मात् कुरवो मापयात
svapne yathaitad vijitaṃ dhanaṃ syād evaṃ manye yasya dīvyaty anīśaḥ | gāndhārarājasya vaco niśamya dharmād asmāt kuravo māpayāta ||
Sinabi ni Vidura: “Gaya ng yaman na napapanalunan o napapatalo sa panaginip, gayon ko rin itinuturing ang panalo at talo ng ari-ariang itinaya ng taong walang karapatang magpasya tungkol dito. O mga Kuru, matapos ninyong marinig ang mga salita ng hari ng Gandhāra (Śakuni), huwag kayong lumihis sa dharmang ito.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A wager made by someone lacking rightful authority over the stake is ethically and juridically void; its ‘win’ or ‘loss’ is as unreal as a dream. Therefore the Kurus should not let Śakuni’s words push them into adharma.
In the dice-hall episode, Vidura rebukes the proceedings: after Yudhiṣṭhira has already lost his own freedom, further staking (especially of others) lacks proper entitlement. Vidura urges the Kuru assembly to resist Śakuni’s manipulative counsel and remain within dharma.