Shloka 13
Nala’s Embassy to Damayantī and the Gods’ Proposal (नलस्य दूतत्वं देवप्रस्तावश्च)
भवतो द्यूतदोषेण सर्वे वयमुपप्लुता: । अहीनपौरुषा बाला बलिभिबलवत्तरा:,“आपके जूएके दोषसे हमलोग पुरुषार्थयुक्त होकर भी दीन बन गये हैं और वे मूर्ख दुर्योधन आदि भेंटमें मिले हुए हमारे धनसे सम्पन्न हो इस समय अधिक बलशाली बन गये हैं
bhavato dyūtadoṣeṇa sarve vayam upaplutāḥ | ahīnapauruṣā bālā balibhir balavattarāḥ |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Dahil sa kasalanan mo sa pagsusugal, kaming lahat ay nalunod sa kapahamakan at naibagsak. Bagaman hindi pa tunay na napawi ang aming tapang, naging tila mga batang walang magawa kami; samantalang ang mga makapangyarihang iyon, na yumaman sa yaman na napanalunan mula sa amin, ngayo’y lalo pang lumalakas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and political ruin caused by the vice of gambling: a single lapse in judgment can overwhelm even the capable, while empowering adversaries through unjustly gained wealth and advantage.
Vaiśampāyana explains that due to the gambling disaster, the speaker’s side has been plunged into helplessness despite retaining inner valor, whereas the opposing party has become stronger by acquiring their wealth through the dice-game.