The Game of Dice

Day and night Duryodhana brooded on the Pandavas' wealth. His uncle Shakuni said, 'No one can beat the Pandavas in battle. But Yudhishthira loves the game of dice and never refuses an invitation to play. I am a master of dice; they fall as I wish. In a game we will win everything they have.'

Dhritarashtra hesitated at first but gave in to his son's stubbornness. A new hall was built, and Vidura was sent to invite the Pandavas. With a heavy heart Vidura said, 'This game will bring ruin.' Yudhishthira knew it too, but said, 'An invitation from my elders and a challenge to play: refusing either goes against my rule.'

The game began. Shakuni threw the dice on Duryodhana's behalf. At every throw Shakuni cried, 'Look, I've won!' Yudhishthira lost first his jewels, then his gold, chariots, elephants, army, servants, and finally the entire kingdom. After each loss he thought he would win it all back on the next throw. That is the trap of gambling.

When the wealth was gone, Shakuni asked, 'What else do you have to stake?' Yudhishthira staked Nakula and lost. Then Sahadeva, then Arjuna, then Bhima: one by one he lost all his brothers. Then he staked himself, and lost that too. Vidura tried again and again to stop it, but no one listened. Bhishma and Drona sat with bowed heads.

Then Shakuni said softly, 'There is still one stake left: your queen Draupadi. Stake her and win everything back.' Silence fell on the hall. Yudhishthira staked Draupadi too. The dice fell, and Shakuni shouted, 'Won!' The elders lowered their eyes, and Duryodhana roared with laughter.