The Gambling Tournament

Sakuni, Duryodhana’s evil-minded maternal uncle, realized how Duryodhana was suffering in the heat of anger and envy, as the Pandavas were quick to success. Sakuni suggested that there was one ray of hope to make the rich and opulent Pandavas become paupers. Sakuni invited the Pandavas for a gambling tournament. Even though it is forbidden to gamble by religious principles, Yudhisthira had to accept the challenge, as it was considered to be adhering to the duty of a ksatriya. Yudhisthira, his brothers, and Draupadi came back to Hastinapura’s court, where Bhisma, Vidura, Dronacarya, Krpacarya, and King Dhrtarastra were present. The gambling tournament took place with two sides: the Pandava brothers and the Kaurava side with Duryodhana, Duhsasana, Sakuni, and Karna. There was one big catch to the tournament; Sakuni was using haunted dice. Sakuni’s family were known to be expert gamblers, as their dice was made from the bones of the ancestors. The soul of the ancestors of Gandhara would subject the dice to roll in whichever way the mind wants. Hence, Sakuni was in full control with these dice. The first round of play was very simple, although the Pandavas were losing, as expected. The second round of play started to become more costly, as stakes were higher. Yudhisthira, initially, put his wealth and personal material possessions in stake. After losing those, he started putting Indraprastha’s wealth, people, and his land in stake. Due to Sakuni’s deceitful ways, the dice obeyed Sakuni and Duryodhana now has the other half of the kingdom he wanted. Yudhisthira still kept playing, despite losing his kingdom. He staked his younger brothers, one after one. From princes, Sahadeva, Nakula, Arjuna, and then Bhima, became servants and slaves of Duryodhana. Then Yudhisthira staked himself and as expected, he was dethroned from the position of the king of Hastinapura and became a slave of Duryodhana. When Yudhisthira thought he had no other possessions left, the evil minded Kauravas reminded Yudhisthira of the fact that Draupadi is still up from grabs. Despite having lost to Duryodhana, he found the power to put Drapuadi on stake. Draupadi was won by Duryodhana’s sinful camp.

While this commotion was taking place, Draupadi was changing into the proper attire to take a bath. Duhsasana went into her room when she was half dressed and dragged her by her hair. When she appeared in court in such a state, the Pandavas were not able to rescue her, as they were enslaved by Duryodhana. When Draupadi was in the court, everyone lowered their eyes and did nothing. Draupadi asked poignant questions to people who she used to admire as “wise people.” Bhisma, Vidura, Krpacarya, Dronacarya, and Dhrtarastra did not give any answer. While crying for justice, Karna and Duryodhana called her a whore, as she had five husbands. Immediately, without wasting any time, Duhsasana was ordered to strip Draupadi. Immediately, having no real person to get help from, she prayed to Lord Krsna to protect her honor and modesty. Immediately, Lord Krsna appeared to her providing extra cloth to add on to Draupadi’s clothing. Duhsasana got tired pulling this cloth of great lengths, by Krsna’s mercy. Immediately, when Duhsasana fainted and Draupadi crying, Bhima made a vengeful vow that he will not know any peace if he does not break Duryodhana’s thigh and rip Duhsasana’s chest and drink his blood. Arjuna also vowed to kill Karna. In fear of hearing these awesome vows, Dhrtarastra immediately returned any losses through the gambling tournament back to the Pandavas.

The Pandavas received another gambling tournament invitation. The four younger Pandava brothers and Draupadi were worried, but Yudhisthira vowed not put them at stake. This time, Dhrtarastra ordered the Pandavas to tournament. Bound their “second father figure”, they accepted the invitation and took part. This time, the stakes were raised that the loser will have to spend twelve years in the forest and one year living in anonymity. Another condition to the exile is that if anyone recognizes them in their final year, they will have to redo their exile in its entirety. Sakuni used his haunted dice and controlled the game in such a way that the Pandavas lost again.