Shloka 15
अक्षदेवन-प्रवर्तनम् | Commencement of the Dice Game
तमस्मै शड्खमाहार्षीद् वारुणं कलशोदधि: । शैक्यं निष्कसहस्रेण सुकृतं विश्वकर्मणा
tam asmai śaṅkham āhārṣīd vāruṇaṃ kalaśodadhiḥ | śaikyaṃ niṣkasahasreṇa sukṛtaṃ viśvakarmaṇā ||
为他，大海——那由伐楼那之水所成的宝藏——献来一枚法螺。此螺华美精工，由毗湿瓦羯摩铸造，价值一千尼湿迦。按杜尤陀那的叙述，这份赠礼昭示：奇珍异物与神匠之作，皆可被汇聚用来夸耀王者威仪与世间权势。
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how material magnificence—especially when framed as divinely sourced and expertly crafted—can be used to legitimize status and intensify attachment to power. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between true worth (dharma, character) and the allure of prestige objects.
In Duryodhana’s narration, a remarkable conch is presented: the Ocean brings a Varuṇa-associated conch, exquisitely made by Viśvakarman and said to be worth a thousand niṣkas, emphasizing extraordinary wealth and splendor connected with royal or heroic possession.