Game of dice!

      

    

     

       Indraprastha was established and Rajasuya Yaga was conducted within 12 years of the establishment. The growth and success of King Yudhistra made Duryodhana jealous. The insult Duryodhana faced in the enchanted palace of King Yudhistra, in front of Draupathi made him more covetous and he desired for revenge.

      Duryodhana returned to Hastinapur with a bad temper. Filled with rage, he paced swiftly towards his assembly hall, followed by Uncle Saguni and Duchadhana. 

    “I was looking like a dupe in front of all! Draupathi, she laughed at me in such an insulting way. How dare she use that tone to me. –‘Blind man’s son is also blind!’ Ahhh…if she had said those words to me in Hastinapur, I would have killed her right that moment itself! Those Pandavas… no doubt…they invited us only to make me feel envious. They wanted to show off what they have got in such a short time. We still remain the same, whereas those sons of Pandu flourish and have more fun. That’s it! I’m done.” – Duryodhana was bursting out like a volcano.

“Brother!”- said Duchadhana, “Control yourself. We will find some way to kill those Pandavas in war. You will get to rule this whole world. Don’t push yourself so hard.”

“We??? War against the Pandavas!? Come on…open your eyes Duchadhana!”-Duryodhana turned towards Duchadhana and continued, “Pithamaha, Dronacharya and Vidhura all favor only the Pandavas. They will do everything to prevent war against those Pandavas. They will convince our father at all cost to make sure the Pandavas live a happy and prosperous life. In these 12 years, we remained inert while those Pandavas flourished and drenched in fortunes.”

“There will definitely be some way brother. We will defeat those Pandavas.”- Duchadhana tried to console his distressed brother.

“Oh come on! That old man Pithamaha is not even treating me as a prince and not considering my words. That Arjuna will get the whole world for his brother while my generalissimo will do nothing for me or for father, against the Pandavas.” – Duryodhana sounded exhausted.

“There is but one way to win…without war.” – Expert in dice game, Saguni spoke looking at the dice in his hand, “My dear Duryodhana! You need to look for a place to build a new assembly hall for this plan to work!”

Saguni and his dice!

      Duryodhana understood the reference of his uncle Saguni and ordered for the construction of a new assembly room, as soon as possible.

    “Duryodhana, My gift to you in the new hall will be your desire: to insult Draupathi and those sons of Pandu” – Saguni spoke with a cunning smile on his face, just like Duryodhana’s.

    A wide and spacious assembly hall was constructed in no matter of time with all its interiors decorated in gold and silver. The throne for the King was made out of gold and decorated with gems and precious stones.  The other seats for the princes and guests were made out of tusks and decorated with gems. The pillars of the hall were built using tusks and sandalwood. King Dhritarashtra sent invitation to every allied King and friends to see the hall.

“Oh King, dear Father, I would like to invite the Pandavas to see the newly constructed assembly hall. Would you send Vidhura on behalf of Hastinapur to invite them? We could even have a fun game in the hall, just among family! As brothers.” – Duryodhana spoke his next step of Saguni’s plan to King Dhritarashtra.

The king too sent Vidhura to invite the Pandavas and Draupathi. But, grandsire Pithamaha Bhishma and smart minister Vidhura guesstimated something’s devious on Duryodhana’s love towards the Pandavas. Vidhura left to Indraprastha on King’s advice.

“How nice of my brother and Uncle! So kind of them to invite us.”- Yudhistra continued, “Definitely we will come.”

“Yudhistra! I doubt the love for you all from Duryodhana. Something’s definitely suspicious. They need you to see the hall and have a game of dice. Something’s happening and I can say from the looks of Duryodhana and Saguni that it’s all proceeding just like they wish. And from what I know of Saguni and Duryodhana, I can say that it’s not good for you all.” -  Vidhura spoke with a concern.

“Uncle, of course we can’t trust Duryodhana’s love. But I can’t refuse an open invitation from King Dhritarashtra.” – Yudhistra spoke.

“All right. Visit the palace and the hall. But don’t play the game.”- Vidhura warned King Yudhistra.

“I won’t. Unless they ask me to. You know, as a king, I can’t refuse a challenge that’s placed in front of me. It’s against dharma to refuse it.” – King Yudhistra spoke with serenity.

“With expert in game of dice, Uncle Saguni by their side, we can easily say that they will cheat us.” – Arjuna cautioned his brother.

      “Of course, they will. But still, I can’t refuse it. It’s an order from our king, King Dhritarashtra.”- Yudhistra spoke about the delicateness of their side.

Bhishma

    Pandavas journeyed to Hastinapur with Draupathi. Allied Kings too visited Hastinapur. The day for the Pandavas went in spending time with Matha Kunti, Queen Gandhari and in visiting the places of the Palace and Hastinapur where they had their memorable childhood days. The queens left the assembly hall and retired to their respective rooms. The hall was left only with the kings.

        “So, it’s been a long time. Shall we play? A game of dice!” – Wicked Duryodhana asked Yudhistra.

      “As a king, I can’t refuse an open challenge from another King.” -  King Yudhistra spoke understanding the outcome.

      “Yes it is, then! Great! I challenge you, King Yudhistra, for a game of dice, in this assembly hall, in front of these assembled great people!” – Duryodhana spoke with happiness.

      "I accept.” – King Yudhistra replied.

    “Wait.” – reckoning something suspicious, Grandsire Bhisma spoke, “King Dhritarashtra, it’s not fair to ask a guest to gamble. We all know gambling is evil. As kings, we should be opposing it. Moreover, King Yudhistra has now only established his city and he needs to be approved as a great king in front of his people. It’s not good to gamble.”

    Listening to Pithamaha’s words, Duryodhana and Saguni’s face turned pale. “So keen to save his favourite Pandavas!”- Duryodhana mumbled to Uncle Saguni with anger.

   “Pithamaha! It’s just a fun game. What’s wrong in it?” - said King Dhritarashtra.

“Even if it’s for fun. We need to set some rules.”- Pithamaha was so firm.

“With great people like you seated in the hall, what might go wrong against dharma, Pithamaha? We won’t cheat and we all know about King Yudhistra.”- Saguni spoke with phoney respect.

“We are sure King Yudhistra will follow the path of dharma. We also know that he will forgive. If you assure nothing will go against dharma, why are you afraid of rules?” – Ingenious Vidhura asked Saguni.

Vidhura and King Dhritarashtra

“Duryodhana, See…another soul to protect the Pandavas. I was just wondering how he stayed silent!” – Saguni murmured to his favourite son-in-law and spoke with a fallacious esteem, “With you great people on the dais, what might go wrong is what I wonder. Fine then! It will be appropriate only if the idol of dharma who follows dharma sets the rules. Let Pithamaha Bhishma set the rules for the game.”

“Uncle! What’re you doing? If he sets the rules how can we execute our plan?!”- Duryodhana whispered in distress.

“Uh…My dear son-in-law! Duryodhana! What makes you think I will follow their orders!? Moreover, don’t underestimate your uncle’s talent. He is not only expert in rolling dice but also in manipulating words. Just stay calm and watch my game.”- Saguni pacified anxious Duryodhana.

Pithamaha sets the rules of the game, “Listen Duryodhana and King Yudhistra, the rules for the game that you are about to play. Though I don’t support the dice game which is only full of ruses, as I’m going to witness it, I want to make sure no adharma is done. Whenever there’s adharma, whenever there’s a disaster, the first person to be affected will be women. Even after the war, it’s the women who go through a lot than men. Hence, my first rule is that, no Kshatriya women should enter the premises till the game is finished.”

“Uncle!?!?!?!”- Duryodhana starred at Saguni, “Hush! Duryodhana! I know…stay calm”, saying so Saguni turned towards Bhishma and spoke, “Pithamaha! Servant maids can be allowed, right? They might help in helping the Kings in providing water and wine, when needed!”

“Yes. Only servant maids can be allowed. Second rule, while betting, one person can place only thing on which they have right to own and that too should be of equal value.”

“Grandsire! What is the meaning of this?!”- Frustrated Duryodhana asked Bhishma.

“Duryodhana, if you place your ornaments for bet, King Yudhistra should bet on the same, his ornaments. Same value. Also, you can’t place something you don’t own. Like, Hastinapur!”- Bhishma spoke in a firm voice.

“What!?!? I don’t have rights on Hastinapur!? How can you say that?!?! You work for Hastinapur! You don’t have rights. But I do!”- Enraged Duryodhana yelled at Grandsire Bhishma.

Bhishma, who displayed no reaction on Duryodhana’s words, spoke strongly and calmly, “You are only Prince. That’ doesn’t make you a King. So, you can’t place things that you don’t own or have rights on it. Bet on something that you own. No matter how small it is. I assure you, King Yudhistra too will be having the same thing, of same value.”

“Where’s the fun in it?!” – Duryodhana screamed irately.

“I don’t think dice game is the only way to have fun and relax in the lavishing city of Hastinapur. Gambling is clearly no fun game. If you don’t want to play, then stop the game right here, at this moment itself.”- Bhishma eyed sharply at Duryodhana for a moment and turned towards King Yudhistra and spoke, “Forgive me, on behalf of Hastinapur and Duryodhana for this trouble...”

Even before Pithamaha could finish his sentence, Saguni hindered and spoke, “Forgive us Pithamaha! We are fine with the rules. We’re playing only for relaxation. For fun, we should not cross lines with adharma. That’s bad. Wrong. So, we’re fine with the rules. All fine. If the rules are fine with the King then we can start the game.”

Saguni starred at Duryodhana and advised him to stay calm. With rules set, King Yudhistra and Duryodhana approved to play by the rules. King Yudhistra walked towards the board to play the game that’s going to be responsible not only for the change of his future but also for the future of the whole Bharat. Seated in his throne, King Yudhistra invited Duryodhana to take his seat.

“Well, King Yudhistra, I do have a small bit of change. My uncle Saguni will play on behalf of me.”- Duryodhana proceeded as per Saguni’s plan.

King Yudhistra spoke, “My dear brother, don’t you think what you are doing is heretical? Doesn’t seem like a fair play to me.”

“Well, playing this game is my right and I have the right to give it to anyone. I’m giving it to my uncle Saguni. It is dharma! Are you going to decline? I thought you just gave your word to play!” – Duryodhana prompted King Yudhistra.

King Yudhistra looked at the game board. “I know my incapability to resist for I have given my word. Well, what has to occur will occur. Uncle Saguni, please be seated. Let’s play.”

Game of fate!

Everyone in the hall knew that Saguni is not only an expert in dice game but also a finest trickster. There’s no chance for any player opposing him to win or even manipulate the game like him. Saguni and Duryodhana were both confident that Saguni will defeat King Yudhistra and that way, Duryodhana can have his revenge on the Pandavas and Draupathi, while Saguni could have his revenge on Hastinapur, silently, by paving path for its destruction through the dice game.

“Let the game begin.” – With Pithamaha Bhishma’s words, the game of fate begun.

“King Yudhistra, I would like to honor you. You are the guest here. So kindly you bet first. Here’s the dice. Roll it, to decide your fate!” – Saguni gave the dice to King Yudhistra with an illusive smile on his face.

“Thank You, King of Gandhara! I place one lakh worth gold coins as wager for the start.”-saying so, Yudhistra rolled the dice and in turn, his fate.

Of course, Yudhistra lost, as expected. But he didn’t stop. The game continued as planned by Saguni and Duryodhana. Yudhistra, with every roll of the dice lost everything- his ornaments, his palace, his chariots, his steeds, his servants, his land and unto the clothes he was wearing. With everything lost, Yudhistra was unable to continue.

“I have nothing to wager. I think this is it.”- King Yudhistra said with eyes on the board.

“Oh King! You do have things left.”- Saguni said to King Yudhistra and paused for a moment. He glanced at Duryodhana with wickedness and spoke to King Yudhistra, “You have your brothers!”

Everyone in the hall was taken aback. “That’s not fair. Stop the game right now.”- Vidhura was the one to break the silence.

“Oh! Minister Vidhura! Do you think an elder brother have no rights on his younger brothers?”-Saguni replied with a question and without expecting an answer, he turned towards King Yudhistra and spoke, “Is it so, Son of Pandu? Elder brothers have no rights on his younger brothers!?” Is it adharma? Enlighten me, O follower of dharma!”

Pithamaha Bhishma, Vidhura and Dronacharya understood the plan of Saguni and Prince Duryodhana, though they did not have a clue that it was only part of the plan.

“King of Gandhara! It’s dharma. An elder brother does have rights.”-saying so, he turned towards Duryodhana. “Prince Duryodhana, brother, do you consider this as a wise man’s act? The way you are playing the game: Is this even sagacious?”

Yudhistra on the losing side!

“It’s gambling, King of Indraprastha! Sorry…you aren’t the king anymore right! The game is going as per the rules worded by Pithamaha. Do you refuse?”- Duryodhana starred at Yudhistra and his brothers like a cunning fox staring at its prey.

“I know what I’m about to do. And I do know my brothers won’t forgive me for it.”- Saying so, Yudhistra rolled the dice again. Just four rolls to lose all of them-Nakula, Sahadeva, Arjuna and finally Bhīma!

“You do have yourself still! Your honor. Your liberty. And, your authority!”- Saguni dared Yudhistra.

Obviously, Yudhistra lost himself too. “Oh man! You lost. You have nothing to lose and you are nothing more than my servant! – Duryodhana laughed deviously.

“Duryodhana, don’t be hard on Yudhistra. He is still the follower of dharma! He is better than anyone in the game of dice and only today luck is not by his side, unluckily. Given a chance, he will definitely win back everything he lost to you. He is wise and challenging. Still he has not stopped playing. That’s Yudhistra! The ruler of Dharma!”- Saguni stormed at Duryodhana deceptively and starred at Yudhistra who was seated with head looking at ground, filled with shame.

“This is the end, uncle Saguni. What is left for me? I have nothing to lose!”- Yudhistra said halfheartedly.

“You still have one thing in your possession, Yudhistra. Wager it and win all that you have lost.”-Saguni said to Yudhistra. While every pair of puzzled eyes in the chamber was staring at Saguni, he had his eyes fixed on Yudhistra’s.

Seeing the uncertainty and mystified look in Yudhistra’s face, guileful Saguni said, “Wager your wife!”