| Great Kings & Queens |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
YUDHISHTIRA |
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| The Terrible
Consequences Before the game began, the players had to agree on the stake - on what the loser was to give up. Both Duryodhana and Yudhishtira offered their jewels as the stake. Shakuni threw the dice, got the count he wanted, and won the game. The match went on and on. Yudhishtira offered thousands of gold coins,chariots, ele- phants, horses and his retinue of servants, and he lost them all. Vidura, who was watching the game, shuddered to think of what might happen. He begged Dhritharashtra to put an end to the game. His advice was not heeded. Yudhishtira went on betting, and lost all his riches, his brothers, and even his own person. The cunning and vile Shakuni coaxed Yudhishtira to play another game, and said: "Yudhishtira, there is one excellent gem still left with you. That is Draupacli, a gem of a woman. You may bet her and win the next game, and get back all that you have so far lost." Yudhishtira was silent for a moment. 'That's an idea! Why not win back all that I have lost with one try?' So he thought, as all gamblers naturally do; and he declared, "Here is Draupadi, my bet for the next and last game." The assembled spectators sat spellbound, in anxious expectancy. Some were astonished at Yudhishtira's step. Some exclaimed angrily, "What is this that Dharmaraja has done!" some were pained at the thought of the misfortune awaiting the Pandavas. Bhishma and Drona were bewildered; Vidura did not know what to do. But Duryodhana and his companions watched gleefully. Shakuni rolled the pair of dice, and exclaimed, I win!" Duryodhana turned to Vidura and said, "Vidural go and bring
Draupadi. From now on, she is our slave!" Vidura, however, would not agree to do such
a shameful act. Then, Duryodhana sent prathikami, a son of his charioteer, to bring her. |
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