The Pandavas Cheated

To settle the dispute between his sons and the Pandavas, King Dhritarastra divided the Kuru kingdom. he awarded the Pandavas only a barren desert in the northern half, but with Krishna’s help they transformed it into the wondrous city of Indraprastha. There they increased their wealth and influence almost unlimitedly, making Duryodhana burn with jealousy. his envy became completely intolerable when he visited an astonishing palace of illusions that had been built for the Pandavas by the celestial artisan, Maya. he fell afoul of the deceptions in the palace to the great amusement of the Pandavas, and he swore vengeance.

In collusion with his brothers and his uncle Shakuni, he arranged a rigged dice match and invited the Pandavas. his plan was to have Shakuni play on his behalf, because his uncle possessed almost mystical powers at dice play and could not be defeated in the game. Yudhisthira’s uncle Vidura was sent to invite the Pandavas. Yudishthira understood that some treachery was afoot, but having once vowed to never deny a request from an elder he could not refuse. It was also a duty of heroic warriors to always accept a challenge at gaming or fighting. Seeing all things as a divine arrangement, he said to Vidura, “I shall come, but I fear the outcome. Probably we shall fight, but what can I do? we are all under the Lord’s supreme control.”

The five brothers arrived in hastinapura the next day, and soon they were shown into a hall that Duryodhana specially built for the match. when they had taken their seats, Shakuni said, “welcome, great king. we are eager to play dice with you.” Yudhisthira expressed reluctance: “Gambling is fraught with ills, and deceitful gambling is even worse. There is no morality in it, so why do you wish to play?” Shakuni gave a half smile and responded, “we do not desire to play deceitfully. why do you suggest such a thing? Let us just enjoy a few games with some small stakes. No harm will be done.” Yudhisthira replied, “I have no desire to win more wealth, and I do not want to lose the wealth I have, which I use to serve the Brahmins. why then should I play?” Shakuni looked at Duryodhana and smiled again, saying, “If you are afraid of playing then say so.”

The Pandava king saw that his elders were saying nothing, so he said, “I cannot refuse a challenge. This is my vow. Fate is surely all powerful, and whatever is ordained by God will occur without fail.” The king asked who would play against him. he said to Shakuni, “I possess limitless wealth, so you are not equal to me.” Duryodhana then said that he would provide the stakes, while Shakuni would throw the dice. Yudhisthira’s fears were confirmed. This whole situation was engineered to deprive him of his wealth. Still he felt unable to turn back and replied, “Very well, let the game commence.”

Yudhisthira removed a priceless pearl necklace and placed that as his stake. Shakuni rolled the dice and soon he was calling out, “Just see, I have won.” Again and again the dice were rolled, and again and again Shakuni’s voice rang out, “I have won.” Gold, gems, land, animals and other kinds of wealth by the millions were staked and lost by Yudhisthira. The game went on for hours, and Shakuni never lost a throw. It seemed as if Yudhisthira were possessed by the desire to lose everything. Finally he had nothing left to stake, but Shakuni goaded him on: “what will you stake now, king?”

To everyone’s amazement Yudhisthira said, “here are my brothers, all obedient to my command. Placing them as my stakes I shall now play.” One by one he lost all of his brothers. Duryodhana laughed loudly, enjoying every moment. Shakuni won every game. Finally all that Yudhisthira had to stake was his dear wife, Draupadi. It was still possible for the situation to be reversed, if the Lord desired. he said to the jeering Shakuni, “She who should never be staked I now stake. That most beautiful of women, the divine daughter of Drupada, shall be my final bet. Throw the dice.” The hall was filled with kings and princes. All of them stared transfixed at the game as Shakuni rolled the dice. how would this all end? within moments Shakuni’s voice was heard again: “I have won!” As the chaste Draupadi was brought weeping to the assembly, the pious Kuru elders sat shaking their heads with tears streaming from their eyes. The destructive end of their dynasty was now upon them.