8th Grade CMTC

The Game of Dice

by Aakash Karan and Anish Durvasula

In the latest class, we learned about the “Game of Dice” that Yudisthira played with Shakuni, Duryodhana’s uncle.

At the conclusion of the the Rajasuya Yaga at Indraprastha, Sage Veda Vyasa visited the Pandavas to bless them. But he also warned them of their impending conflict with the Kauravas and troubles in the future. Yudhishthira, even though crowned as the emperor, started to worry about this.  He took a vow that he would be nice to his cousins, the Kauravas, to avoid conflict at any cost.

During the Rajasuya Yaga, Duryodhana became very jealous of the Pandavas after seeing their power and wealth. He was not only mesmerized by the beautiful and ornate palace in Indraprastha that was built by the architect Maya for the Pandavas, but also felt humiliated when he was tricked by the various illusions in the palace.  Upon returning to Hastinapura, Duryodhana, Duhsasana, Karna and Shakuni, a group called the Gang of Four, discussed various ways to take over the kingdom and the riches of the Pandavas.  Finally they agreed with Shakuni’s proposal of inviting Yudhishthira to a game of dice and winning everything through trickery. Vidura, the advisor to King Dhritarashtra, was sent to give the invitation to the Pandavas. Even though he warned the Pandavas of the evil plot of the Gang of Four, Yudhishthira agreed to play the game for 3 reasons:

            1) The Kshatriya code to never back down or refuse the challenge for a game or a duel
            2) His fondness for the game of dice
            3) His vow to be friendly towards the Kauravas
        
The Pandavas went to Hastinapura where the game was played in a gambling hall specially built for this event.  Shakuni, with his magical dice, won every bet by Yudhishthira who lost his gold, horses, elephants, palaces, army, and kingdom. Later he bet and lost his brothers one by one, then himself, and finally Draupadi. At Duryodhana’s command, Duhsasana dragged Draupadi by her hair from her chambers to the gambling hall. Much to the humiliation of the Pandavas, he started to undress Draupadi in front of all the Kuru elders and teachers. Hearing Draupadi’s cry for help, Lord Krishna protected Draupadi’s honor by supplying an endless sari. Duhsasana finally gave up with utter fatigue. With a feeling of guilt and remorse, Dhritarashtra sent the Pandavas back to Indraprastha with all their belongings. 

Duryodhana again persuaded his father to invite the Pandavas for a second game of dice. Yudhishthira came back to play for the same 3 reasons. However this time the game was played with the condition that the losers would have to live in the forest for 12 years and incognito for 1 year. During the incognito year, if someone found out their identity, they would have to repeat the 12 plus 1 years of exile. After losing again, the Pandavas along with Kunti and Draupadi began their journey to the forest.