Shloka 5
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Restraint and the Pāṇḍavas’ Authorized Return (धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
वैशम्पायन उवाच पक पाक निकृतिं समुपाश्रित: । शकुनिर्युधिष्ठिरमभाषत,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! यह सुनकर शकुनिने छलका आश्रय ले पुनः इसी निश्चयके साथ युधिष्ठिरसे कहा--'लो, यह धन भी मैंने जीत लिया”
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: pakṣa-pāka-nikṛtiṁ samupāśritaḥ śakunir yudhiṣṭhiram abhāṣata—“lo, idaṁ dhanaṁ api mayā jitam.”
Vaiśampāyana nói: Dựa vào mưu gian và trò xảo trá, Śakuni lại lên tiếng với Yudhiṣṭhira, vẫn giữ nguyên ý định ấy: “Hãy nhìn—cả số của cải này nữa cũng đã bị ta thắng mất rồi.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical corruption of outcomes achieved through nikṛti (fraud). It frames Śakuni’s ‘victory’ as morally tainted, warning that gains secured by deception undermine dharma and precipitate wider ruin.
In the dice-game sequence, Śakuni—relying on trickery—speaks again to Yudhiṣṭhira, declaring that he has won yet more wealth. The narration emphasizes repeated, deliberate manipulation rather than a fair contest.