Shloka 21
दुर्योधनस्य प्रायोपवेशः — शकुनिसान्त्वनम् तथा कृत्याह्वानम्
Duryodhana’s Fast: Śakuni’s Consolation and the Summoning of a Kṛtyā
तथा कथयमानौ तौ घोषयात्राविनिश्चयम् । गान्धारराज: शकुनि: प्रत्युवाच हसन्निव,घोषयात्राका निश्चय करनेके लिये इस प्रकारकी बातें करते हुए उन दोनों सुहृदोंसे गान्धारराज शकुनिने हँसते हुए-से कहा--
tathā kathayamānau tau ghoṣayātrā-viniścayam | gāndhārarājaḥ śakuniḥ pratyuvāca hasann iva ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Habang ang dalawang magkaibig iyon ay nag-uusap at nagtatakda ng pasiya tungkol sa paglalakbay na may anyong “paglilibot sa kampo ng mga baka” (ghoṣayātrā), si Śakuni, ang hari ng Gandhāra, ay sumagot sa kanila na may halakhak—na wari’y panunuya—na nagpapahiwatig ng tuso at makasariling payo na di magtatagal ay magtutulak sa kanilang pasiya sa landas na nais niya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how seemingly light or joking speech in political counsel can conceal manipulation. Ethical discernment is required: decisions driven by mockery, envy, or crafty advice tend to lead toward adharma and wider conflict.
Two allies are discussing and finalizing a plan for the ghoṣayātrā (a cattle-raid/expedition connected with cowherd settlements). At that moment Śakuni, the Gandhāran king, responds with an amused, derisive tone, signaling his role in steering the plan through cunning counsel.