Saṁlikhitam and saṁrudh are technical terms, obscure to us. The comm. ingeniously states that players sometimes stop or check (saṁrudh) an antagonist by marks (an̄ka) which they make with slivers of dice and the like, and that such marks and the one who checks by means of them are intended—a pretty evident fabrication. Ppp. reads saṁvṛtam instead of saṁrudham; the comm. explains the latter word simply by saṁroddhāram.
6. Also, a superior player, he wins the advance (?); he divides in time the winnings like a gambler; he who, a god-lover, obstructs not riches—him verily he unites with wealth at pleasure (?).
The verse is full of technical gambling expressions, not understood by us. It is RV. x. 42. 9, with variants: RV. reads atidī́vya jayāti in a; in b, yát for iva, and hence vicinóti; in c, dhánā ruṇaddhi; in d, rāyā́ (which the translation given above follows: the comm. reads it) and svadhā́vān. The comm. also has jayāti, as demanded by the meter, in a. He explains prahām by akṣāiḥ prahantāram pratikitavam, and vi cinoti this time by mṛgayate. With ná dhánam ruṇáddhi compare the gambler's vow, ná dhánā ruṇadhmi, in RV. x. 34. 12; the comm. says dyūtalabdhaṁ dhanaṁ na vyarthaṁ sthāpayati kiṁ tu devatārthaṁ viniyun̄kte. The Anukr. distinctly refuses the contraction to kṛtaṁ ’va in b.
7. By kine may we pass over ill-conditioned misery, or by barley over hunger, O much-invoked one, all of us; may we first among kings, unharmed, win riches by [our] stratagems.
Or perhaps 'unharmed by [others'] stratagems.' The verse has no reason here; it is RV. x. 42. 10, with variants: RV. omits the meter-disturbing vā in b (the Anukr. ignores the irregularity), and reads víçvām at the end of the pāda; also rā́jabhis in c, and, in d, asmā́kena vṛjánenā. Ppp. has, for c, vayaṁ rājānas prathamā dhamānām. The comm., against the pada-text (-māh; RV. pada the same), understands prathamā as neut. pl., qualifying dhanāni. ⌊Cf. Geldner, Ved. Stud. i. 150; Foy, KZ. xxxiv. 251.⌋
8. My winnings in my right hand, victory in my left is placed; kine-winner may I be, horse-winner, riches-winning, gold-winner.
Ppp. reads, for b, savye me jayā ”hitaḥ, and, in d, kṛtaṁcayas for dhanaṁjayas.
9. O ye dice, give [me] fruitful play, like a milking cow; fasten me together with a stream (?) of winnings, as a bow with sinew.
Ppp. reads divam for dyuvam in a, and dhāraya in c. Dhārā, in whatever sense taken, makes a very unacceptable comparison; the comm. paraphrases it with saṁtatyā uparyuparilābhahetuk¿rtāyapravāheṇa. ⌊His interpretation seems to mean 'Unite me with a succession (saṁtati or pravāha) of fours' (kṛta-aya), or, as we should say, 'Give me a run (dhārā or pravāha) of double sixes,' 'Give me a run of luck.'⌋
51 (53). For protection by Brihaspati and Indra.
[An̄giras.—bārhaspatyam. trāiṣṭubham.]
