Shloka 21
अक्षविजय-प्रसङ्गः
Escalation of Wagers and Shakuni’s Repeated Declarations of Victory
(संदिदेश ततः प्रेष्यान् नागाह्नयगतिं प्रति । ततस्ते नरशार्टूलाश्षक्रुर्वै नूपशासनम् ।।
saṃdideśa tataḥ preṣyān nāgāhnavī-gatiṃ prati | tataste naraśārdūlāś cakrur vai nṛpaśāsanam ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：于是由提湿提罗王遣派随从，命其循着通往恒河的道路前行（亦即通往象城哈斯提那补罗）。那些如人中猛虎、侍从之首者，立刻奉行王命。此景彰显王家纪律与有序治政：持守法义的君王不仓促、不隐秘行事，而是依礼循制，号令分明，随从得当——纵使事势正将他牵向一场凶险的邀约，这外在的仪度亦是其内心守护达摩的明证。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined kingship: a ruler’s intent becomes ethical action through clear command and orderly execution. Even before the moral crisis of the dice-game unfolds, Yudhiṣṭhira’s conduct reflects procedural righteousness—acting through proper channels rather than impulsively.
Yudhiṣṭhira sends his attendants ahead with instructions to move toward the Gaṅgā-route, i.e., toward Hāstinapura. The attendants promptly obey, setting in motion the Pandavas’ formal journey that will culminate in the fateful assembly and gambling episode.