The Clarion- International Multidisciplinary Journal
Year : 2012, Volume : 1, Issue : 2
First page : ( 246) Last page : ( 249)
Print ISSN : 2277-1697. Online ISSN : 2277-937X.

A Note on Rgveda X.34 in the modern perspective

Deka Pranabjyoti

Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India

Corresponding author: dekapranab66@gmail.com

Online published on 2 July, 2012.

Abstract

Religious authorities generally disapprove of Gambling. Gambling is the betting of money or something of material value on an event with an unsure result with the main target of winning additional money or material goods. Normally, the result of the bet is clearly to be seen within a short period. It has often been seen as having social consequences. For these social and religious reasons, most legal jurisdictions limit Gambling. But it increases in our present society day by day. The Vedic seers also feel the harmfulness of the Gambling and stated it in the thirty fourth hymn of the tenth ma][ala of the Rgveda. This hymn (X.34) brings out the picture of a person who because of his addiction of dice play is completely ruined but can't resist the temptation even when he is lent in a measurable condition. It is also elaborated (itih"sapur"]"bhy"Ï vedaÏ samupabáÏhayet) in the great epic Mah"bh"rata (Dyutaparva, 65th chapter, sub parva of Sabh"parva) through the dice game between Duryodhana's uncle Sakuni (Kauravas) and Yudhi^@hira (Pandavas). Yudhi^@hira loses all his wealth in the bet, then his kingdom. He then even gambles his brothers, himself, and finally his wife DraupadÇ into servitude. At last the Pandavas are required to go into exile for 12 years, and in the 13th year must remain hidden. If discovered by the Kauravas, they will be forced into exile for another 12 years. An attempt has been made here to highlight the mal practices like gambling in the present day society.

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Keywords

Gambling, Rgveda, Rgveda. X.34.

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