THE GAMBLING MATCH

THE GAMBLING MATCH

The old blind King Dhritarashtra was excited and impatient about the coming gambling match between his son Duryodhana and the Pandavas. He proudly looked around at the hall he had specially prepared for this purpose. It was packed with rulers from the neighbouring countries and several other distinguished guests.

In the centre of the hall sat Duryodhana, his uncle Sakuni and their supporters. Facing them were Yudhistira backed by his brothers.

The royal seats were occupied by Dhritarashtra, Sanjaya, Vidura, Karna,the wise old Bhishma and the hundred brothers of Duryodhana.

As the game was about to begin, Yudhistira said, ‘Please play a fair game and do not try to win by unfair means.’ Sakuni replied, ‘There can be no such thing as cheating in a game. Winning a game is always a matter of skill.’

‘I agree,’ said Yudhistira, ‘then let’s begin.’

‘But,’ said Sakuni, ‘If you have any doubts, let us not play. We are ready to withdraw.’

Yudhistira replied, ’Having accepted the challenge, I will not withdraw. Let us begin. With who am I to play? I have gems, wealth and gold. Whoever can match my stake, let him begin.’

Duryodhana immediately said, ‘I too stake my jewels and wealth, and Sakuni, my uncle will play on my behalf.’

‘But,’ said Yudhistira, ‘You can’t let him play by proxy! However, if you so wish, let us begin.’

Beginning with a handful of gems, the stakes grew in size. Yudhistira was caught in a gambler’s frenzy. He forgot who he was and what he was doing. He became blind to everything except the ivory white dice and the chequered board.

The clatter of the rolling dice was followed every few minutes by Sakuni’s repeated words, ‘I win,’ and loud cheers from his supporters.

‘I have hundreds of beautiful women, I have the finest chariot with golden wheels and bells that can ring across the earth,’said Yudhistira.

But whatever the stake, Duryodhana accepted it calmly because he knew for sure that they were going to win. Again and again Sakuni repeated, ‘I win.’ The elders in the assembly hall were aghast.

Everytime the dice clattered on the board, Yudhistira lost all he staked- his elephants, armies, cattle and territories.

Sakuni wished to anger Yudhistira even more and mockingly said, ‘You’ve lost a great deal but I’ll give you time to remember what else you have.’

When Yudhistira heard this, he was very angry. It hurt his pride and he foolishly staked more and more. Thus he lost more cattle, sheep, horses, territories, his city, the country, his land and wealth and all his dwelling places.

At this point, Vidura got up and begged Dhritarashtra to stop the match. He even pleaded that Duryodhana be destroyed for he was a jackal that would one day be the cause of the family’s destruction.

It took a lot of courage for Vidura to speak like this but he had to because he knew Sakuni was cheating. Yet, Dhritarashtra didn’t say a word.

Duryohana was very annoyed and said, ‘you have no right to speak in favour of our enemies. You owe your bread and shelter to us.’

And so the game went on. Yudhistira looked around and pointed to his younger brother, Nakula and said, ‘He is the brother I adore, he is my wealth. I stake him.’

‘I win!’ declared Sakuni and Nakula crossed over to Duryodhana’s side.

Thus Yudhistira lost all his other brothers- Sahadeva, Arjuna and Bhima. Yudhistira then staked himself and again Sakuni repeated, ‘I win!’

Sakuni wanted to insult Yudhistira even more. He roused him to anger by saying. ‘Only the princess Panchali is left. Will she not feel lonely with all her husbands gone suddenly?’

Yudhistira had by now lost all his judgment. He said, ‘Yes, Panchali is like the Goddess Laxmi. She is our luck. We will win back every bit we’ve lost. Now I will stake her.’

When Yudhistira said this, there was an outcry of protest in the assembly. But no one could do anything. Sakuni once again declared, ‘I win!’

For Solved Exercises of this lesson, click on the link below:

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