Text 18] The Dynasty of Arnsuman 17
TRANSLATION
Bhagiratha had a son named Sruta, whose son was Nabha. This
son was different from the Nabha previously described. Nabha had
a son named Sindhudvipa, from Sindhudvipa came Ayutayu, and
from Ayutayu came Rtiparna, who became a friend of Nalaraja.
Rtaparna taught Nalaraja the art of gambling, and Nalaraja gave
Rtaparna lessons in controlling and maintaining horses. The son
of Rtaparna was Sarvakama.
PURPORT
Gambling is also an art. Ksatriyas are allowed to exhibit talent in this
art of gambling. By the grace of Krsna, the Pandavas lost everything by
gambling and were deprived of their kingdom, wife, family and home
because they were not expert in the gambling art. In other words, a devo-
tee may not be expert in materialistic activities. It is therefore advised in
the Sdstra that materialistic activities are not at all suitable for the living
entities, especially the devotees. A devotee should therefore be satisfied
to eat whatever is sent as prasdda by the Supreme Lord. A devotee
remains pure because he does not take to sinful activities such as gam-
bling, intoxication, meat-eating and illicit sex.
TEXT 18
x Ay
TA: ARTA TATA: |
e 2 X
mehr + + Reafega HFA |
aga STAT: ARAM 12 CII
tatah sudasas tat-putro
damayanti-patir nrpah
Ghur mitrasaham yam vai
kalmésanghrim uta kvacit
vasistha-sapad rakso *bhiid
anapatyah sva-karmand
tatah—from Sarvakama; sudaésah—Sudasa was born; tat-putrah—the
son of Sudasa; damayanti-patih—the husband of Damayanti; nrpah—
