Part 20 | Jarasandha

The Pandavas ruled Indraprastha. Those around Yudhishthira urged him to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice (translator's note: Rajasuya is a śrauta ritual that marks the consecration of a king and often prescribed as a ritual to establish a king's sovereignty) and assume the title of Emperor.

Yudhishthira reached out to Sri Krishna for advice and said, "'My people urge me to perform Rajasuya, but as you know, only he who can secure the respect and allegiance of all kings, can perform that sacrifice and win the status of emperor. Advise me, you are not among those whose affection makes them blind and partial. Nor are you one of those who advise to please and whose counsel is pleasant rather than true or wholesome."

Krishna replied, "Quite so and that is why you cannot be emperor while the mighty Jarasandha of Magadha is alive and unconquered. He has conquered many kings and holds them in subjection. All the kshatriyas, including the redoubtable Sisupala himself, are afraid of his prowess and are submissive to him. Have you not heard of the wicked Kamsa, the son of Ugrasena? After he had become the son- in-law and ally of Jarasandha, my people and I attacked Jarasandha. After three years of continuous fighting we had to acknowledge defeat and we left Mathura and moved to Dwaraka in the west, and built a new city where we are living in peace and plenty. Even if Duryodhana, Karna and others do not object to your assuming the title of emperor, Jarasandha will certainly oppose it. And the only way to overcome his opposition is to defeat and kill him. You can then not only perform the Rajasuya but also rescue and win the adherence of the kings who languish in his prisons."

Yudhishthira answered, "I agree. I am but one of the many kings who rule their kingdoms with fairness and justice and lead happy unambitious lives. It is mere vanity and vainglory to desire to become an emperor. Why should not a king rest satisfied with his own kingdom? So, I shall give up this desire to be an emperor. And really, the title has no temptations for me. It is my brothers who wish it. When you yourself are afraid of Jarasandha what can we hope to do?" 

Bhima disliked Yudhishthira's contentment and said, "Ambition is the noblest virtue of a king. What is the good of being strong if one does not know his own strength? I cannot reconcile myself to live a life of idle ease and contentment. He who casts off indolence and properly employs political means, can conquer even those stronger than himself. Strength reinforced by stratagem will surely do much. What, indeed, cannot be accomplished by a combination of my physical strength, Krishna's wisdom and Arjuna's dexterity? We can conquer Jarasandha's might, if we three join and set about it without doubts or fears."

To this, Krishna said, "Jarasandha should certainly be slain and fully deserves it. He has unjustly cast eighty-six princes in prison. He has planned to immolate a hundred kings and is waiting to lay hold of fourteen more. If Bhima and Arjuna agree, I shall accompany them and together we will slay that king by stratagem and set free the imprisoned princes. I like this suggestion."

Displeased with this advice, Yudhishthira retorted, "This may really mean sacrificing Bhima and Arjuna who are to me as my two eyes, merely to gratify a vain desire to be an emperor. I do not like to send them on this dangerous errand. It seems to me far better to give up the idea altogether."

Arjuna interjected, saying, "What is the use to us of an existence without heroic deeds, born as we are of an illustrious line? A Kshatriya, though endowed with all other good qualities, will not become famous if he does not exert himself. Enthusiasm is the mother of success. We can seize fortune if we do our duties energetically. Even a powerful man may fail if, through lassitude, he does not employ the means he has. Failure is due, in the vast majority of cases, to ignorance of one's own strength. We know we are strong, and we are not afraid of using our strength to the utmost. Why should Yudhishthira suppose that we are incapable of this? When we have become old, it will be time to assume the ochre robe, resort to the forest and pass the rest of our days in penance and austerities. Now, we should lead strenuous lives and do heroic deeds worthy of the traditions of our race."

Happy to hear these words, Krishna replied, "What else can Arjuna, born of Kunti in the Bharata race, advise? Death comes to all, the hero as well as the sluggard. But the noblest duty of a kshatriya is to be true to his race and faith, and overcoming his foes in righteous battle, to win glory."

Yudhishthira assented that their duty rested upon slaying Jarasandha.

Part 21 | The Slaying Of Jarasandha

Brihadratha, the commander of three regiments, ruled in the kingdom of Magadha. He was known as a great hero. He had married the twin daughters of the raja of Kasi and vowed he wouldn't show partiality to either woman. However, he was not blessed with a child for a long time. When he became old, his ministers led the kingdom while he went to the forest with his two wives.

He approached Sage Kausika of the Gautama family, longing for a child. The sage was moved by his sorrow and asked him what he wanted.

Brihadratha replied, "I am childless and have come to the forest giving up my kingdom. Give me children."

A mango fruit fell into Sage Kausika's lap and he handed it to Brihadratha with a blessing, "Take it. Your wish will be fulfilled."

Brihadratha cut the fruit into two halves and gave a piece to each of his two wives so he could keep his vow of not showing partiality to either. Some time after, his wives became pregnant. However, the birth did not bring a bundle of joy. Each child that was born was half a child, which appeared to be a revolting lump. They were two equal portions of one infant, comprising one eye, one leg, half a face, one ear, etc. Drowning in their grief, they commanded the attendants to take them away. The attendants did as they were instructed.

A Rakshasi happened to find the bundle on the street and gathered the two pieces, only for it to come together and change into a whole living child. The Rakshasi was surprised and didn't wish to kill the child, so she disguised herself as a beautiful woman and presented the child to Brihadratha. She said, "This is your child."

Brihadratha was so happy, he handed the child to his wives. This child was named Jarasandha. He grew up to possess immense physical strength, but his body had one weakness: if sufficient force was applied to his body, he could be separated into two parts once again. And thus, the meaning behind this story is when you join two sundered parts together, it will remain weak with a tendency to split.

When Jarasandha was slayed, Krishna said, "Hamsa, Hidimbaka, Kamsa, and other allies of Jarasandha are no more. Now that he is isolated, this is the right time to kill him. It is useless to fight with armies. He must be provoked to a single combat and slain."

But according to the code of honor at that time, a kshatriya had to accept a challenge to a duel with or without weapons. Without weapons, it was a fight to the death with weighted gauntlets or wrestling in catch-as-catch-can style.

Disguising themselves as men who had taken religious vows, they entered the kingdom of Magadha and arrived at the capital of Jarasandha. Jarasandha had received numerous bad omens and had rites performed by priests and took to fasts to warn off the impending danger. Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna entered the palace unarmed, and Jarasandha received them with respect. Bhima and Arjuna said nothing to avoid telling lies.

Krishna spoke on their behalf, "These two are observing a vow of silence for the present as part of their austerities. They can speak only after midnight."

Jarasandha entertained them in the hall of sacrifice, then returned to the palace. He called them at midnight to talk to them freely. However, their conduct made Jarasandha suspicious, and he had noticed bowstring scars on their hands and the proud bearing of kshatriyas. Jarasandha demanded the truth, "We are your foes and seek instant combat. You can choose one of us at will to fight with you. Krishna, you are a cowherd and Arjuna is a mere boy. Bhima is famous for his physical strength. So, I wish to fight with him."

Bhima was unarmed, so Jarasandha agreed to fight him without weapons. They were matched in strength, fighting each other for thirteen days without rest or sustenance, while Krishna and Arjuna watched.

By the fourteenth day, Jarasandha displayed exhaustion. Bhima lifted him and whirled him around one hundred times and seized his legs, separating him into two halves. The two halves rejoined together and Jarasandha launched his counterattack at Bhima. Bhima, at a loss for what to do, looked to Krishna. Krishna picked up a straw, tore it in two and cast the bits in opposite directions. Bhima now understood what he needed to do.

When he separated Jarasandha again, he cast the two halves of his body in opposite directions so they could not rejoin. Then, Jarasandha met his end.

The captive princes were released and Jarasandha's son was crowned the King of Magadha. Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna returned to Indraprastha. With Jarasandha defeated, the Pandavas performed the Rajasuya and Yudhishthira claimed the title of Emperor. The celebrations were marred by a single incident - Sisupala behaved disrespectfully in the assembly of princes and provoked a fight with Krishna, ending in his demise.

Part 22 | The First Honor

The Pandavas invited other kings after the slaying of Jarasandha and performed the Rajasuya. The first honor would be rendered to the guest considered most worthy of taking precedence over all others. They questioned who should be honored first.

The grandsire and Yudhishthira said that Sri Krishna, the king of Dwaraka, should be honored first. Under Yudhishthira's instructions, Sahadeva offered the first honor to Sri Krishna. 

Sisupala, the king of Chedi, couldn't tolerate it. He laughed and said, "How ridiculous and unjust, but I am not surprised. The man who sought advice was born in illegitimacy. (This refers to the sons of Kunti in an insulting way.) The man who gave advice was born of one who ever declines from high to low. This refers to how Bhishma was born of Ganga river, a river that flowed naturally from higher to lower levels.) And he who did the honors was also born illegitimately. And what shall I say of the man honored! He is a fool by birth and a cowherd by breeding. Dumb indeed must be the members of this assembly if they have not a word to say to this! This is no place for worthy men."

Some of the princes applauded him.

Sisupala continued, addressing Yudhishthira, "When there are so many kings gathered here, it is a shame that you paid the first honor to Krishna. Not to render respect where it is rightly due and to render it where it is not merited are both equally grave offenses. It is a pity that, for all your imperial pretensions you are ignorant of this."

He became angrier as he spoke, continuing, "Ignoring the many kings
and heroes who are here at your own invitation and in malicious despise of them, you have paid royal honors to a cowherd boor, a mere nobody. Vasudeva, the father of Krishna, was but a servant of Ugrasena. He is not even of royal blood. Is this the place and the occasion to show your vulgar partiality for Krishna, the son of Devaki? Is this worthy of the children of Pandu? O sons of Pandu, you are raw, untaught youths, altogether ignorant of theway to conduct a royal assembly. This dotard Bhishma guided you foolishly and thus made fools of you. Krishna, why, Krishna is no ruler at all! O Yudhishthira, why did you dare to do this wretch first honor in this illustrious assemblage of kings? He has not even the merit of age and if you admire grey hair, is not his father alive? You could not have honored him as your preceptor surely, for your preceptor is Drona who is here in this assembly. Is it as an expert in performing sacrifices that you have honored him?" 

"It cannot be, for Vyasa, the great master, is present. It would have been better even if you had paid the first honor to Bhishma, for dotard as he be, he has still the merit of being the oldest man of your house. Your family teacher, Kripacharya, is also present in this assembly. How could you then pay the first honor to this cowherd? Ashwatthama, the hero who is expert in all sastras, is here. How did you choose Krishna, forgetting him? Among the princes assembled here, there is Duryodhana. And there is also Karna, the disciple of Parasurama. Leaving him aside, out of childish partiality, you chose Krishna for the first honor Krishna who is neither royal, nor heroic, nor learned, nor holy, nor even hoary, who is nothing but a low cowherd! Thus you have dishonored us all, whom you have invited here. O kings, it is not out of fear that we assented to Yudhishthira's assuming the title of emperor." 

We personally do not much care whether he is friend or foe. But, having heard much prate of his righteousness, we wanted to see him uphold the flag of dharma. He has now wantonly dishonored us, after all that talk of virtue and dharma. What virtue or dharma was there in his giving priority of honor to this villain Krishna who killed Jarasandha in an unjust manner? You should henceforth call Yudhishthira an unrighteous person. O Krishna, what impudence on your part to accept the undeserved honor which these misguided Pandavas did you! Did you forget yourself? Or did you forget decent tradition? Or was it just a case of a dog snatching at a remnant of food which nobody cared to claim or guard? Do you not really see that this farce is a ghastly mockery and disgrace to yourself? It is like the mockery of showing beautiful things to a blind man or offering a maiden in marriage to a eunuch. Likewise, these kingly honors are really an affront to you. It is now evident that the would-be emperor Yudhishthira, the senile Bhishma, and this fellow Krishna are all made of the same stuff."

After Sisupala finished speaking, he walked out and called the other kings to join him. Many followed him.

Yudhishthira ran after them and tried to appease them with sweet words of peace, but they were too angry to be appeased.

A terrible fight between Krishna and Sisupala ensued, the latter slain by his discus. The Rajasuya was celebrated and Yudhishthira was recognized as emperor.

Part 23 | Sakuni Comes In

At the end of the Rajasuya, the princes, priests, and elders left and returned home. Vyasa bid farewell and Dharmaputra rose and received him with great respect, sitting by his side.

The sage said, "O son of Kunti, you have got the title of emperor which you eminently deserve. May the illustrious Kuru race gain even greater glory through you. Give me leave to return to my hermitage."

Yudhishthira touched his feet and replied, "O master, you alone can remove my apprehensions. Wise men have predicted from portents the happenings of catastrophic events. Has this prediction been fulfilled by the death of Sisupala or is more to ensue?"

Bhagavan Vyasa answered, "Dear child, much sorrow and suffering is in store for thirteen years to come. The portents indicate the destruction of the Kshatriya race and are not exhausted with the death of Sisupala. It is far from it. Hundreds of kings will perish, and the old order of things will pass away. This catastrophe will spring out of the enmity between you and your brothers on the one side and your cousins, the Dhritarashtras, on the other. It will culminate in a war resulting in practical annihilation of the Kshatriya race. No one can go against destiny. Be firm and steadfast in righteousness. Be vigilant and rule the kingdom, farewell." Vyasa blessed Yudhishthira, his words filling the emperor with grief and repugnance for ambition and life itself.

Yudhishthira informed his brothers of the prediction. Life appeared to be a bitter and weary business and his destiny cruel and unbearable.

Arjuna said, "You are a king and it is not right for you to be agitated. Let us meet destiny with an undaunted front and do our duty."

Yudhishthira replied, "Brothers, may God protect us and give us wisdom. For my part, I take this vow never to speak harshly to my brothers or to my kinsmen for the next thirteen years. I shall avoid all pretext for conflict. I shall never give way to anger, which is the root cause of enmity. It shall be my duty to give no occasion for anger or pretext for hostility. Thus shall we profit by Bhagavan Vyasa's warning."

The first event culminated in the slaughter on the field of Kurukshetra and was the evil root of all. Yudhishthira was deceived by Sakuni.

Dharmaputra wanted to avoid a quarrel at all costs, and Duryodhana was jealous at the prosperity of the Pandavas he witnessed during the Rajasuya sacrifice. He was so absorbed in sorrow at their prosperity that he did not hear Sakuni speaking to him.

Sakuni asked, "Why are you sighing? Why are you tormented with sorrow?"

Duryodhana replied, "Yudhishthira, surrounded by his brothers, is like Indra, the king of gods. Before the very eyes of the assembled kings Sisupala was slain and not one of them had the courage to come forward to avenge him. Like the vaisyas who live by trade, they bartered their honor and jewels and riches for Yudhishthira's goodwill. How can I avoid giving way to grief after seeing all this? What is the good of living?"

Sakuni said, "O Duryodhana, the Pandavas are your brothers. It is not right on your part to be jealous of their prosperity. They are but enjoying their legitimate inheritance. By their good fortune they have prospered and flourished without doing any injury to others. Why should you be jealous? How can their strength and happiness diminish your greatness? Your brothers and relations stand by you and obey you. Drona, Ashwatthama and Karna are on your side. Why do you grieve when Bhishma, Kripa, Jayadratha, Somadatta and myself are your supporters? You can conquer even the whole world. Do not give way to grief."

Duryodhana said, "O Sakuni, it is true that I have so many to support me. Why should we not wage war and drive the Pandavas out of Indraprastha?"

Sakuni answered, "No. That will not be easy, but I know a way to drive Yudhishthira out of Indraprastha without a fight or the shedding of blood."

Duryodhana's mood brightened. He asked, "Uncle, is it possible to overcome the Pandavas without sacrificing any life? What is your plan?"

Sakuni replied, "Yudhishthira is fond of the game of dice and being unskillful is altogether ignorant of its tricks and the opportunity it offers to cleverer people. If we invite him to a game, he would accept, following the tradition of the kshatriyas. I know the tricks of the game and I shall play on your behalf. Yudhishthira will be helpless as a child against me. I shall win his kingdom and wealth for you without shedding a drop of blood."

Part 24 | The Invitation

Duryodhana and Sakuni approached Dhritarashtra, with Sakuni speaking first. "O king, Duryodhana is wan with grief and anxiety. You are paying no attention to his unbearable sorrow. Why this unconcern?"

Dhritarashtra hugged Duryodhana and replied, "I do not see why you should be disconsolate. What is here that you already do not enjoy? The whole world is at your feet. When you are surrounded by all kinds of pleasures like the very gods, why should you pine in sorrow? You have learnt the Vedas, archery, and other sciences from the best of masters. As my first born, you have inherited the throne. What is left you to wish for? Tell me."

Duryodhana answered, "Father, like anybody else, rich or poor, I eat and cover my nakedness, but I find life unbearable. What is the use of leading such a life?" From then on, he revealed the envy and hatred he kept inside, referring to the Pandavas' prosperity as the source of his bitterness. He added, "Contentment with one's lot is not characteristic of a kshatriya. Fear and pity lower the dignity of kings. My wealth and pleasures do not give me any satisfaction since I have witnessed the greater prosperity of Yudhishthira. O king, the Pandavas have grown, while we have shrunk."

To this, Dhritarashtra replied, "Beloved child, you are the eldest son of my royal spouse and me and heir to the glory and greatness of our renowned race. Do not cherish any hatred towards the Pandavas. Sorrow and death will be the sole result of hatred of kith and kin, especially when they are blameless. Tell me, why do you hate the guileless Yudhishthira? Is not his prosperity ours too? Our friends are his friends. He has not the least jealousy or hatred towards us. You are equal to him in heroism and ancestry. Why should you be jealous of your brother? No. You should not be jealous."

Duryodhana didn't like his advice. "The man without common sense, but immersed in learning, is like a wooden ladle immersed in savoury food which it neither tastes nor benefits from. You have much learning of statecraft but have no state wisdom at all, as your advice to me clearly shows. The way of the world is one thing and the administration of a state is quite another. Thus has Brihaspati said: 'Forbearance and contentment, though the duties of ordinary men, are not virtues in kings.' The kshatriya's duty is a constant seeking of victory." By using examples, he made the worst appear better. But Sakuni intervened.

Sakuni said, "It is enough if you merely send for the son of Kunti to play the game of dice. Leave the rest to me."

Duryodhana said, "Sakuni will win for me the riches of the Pandavas without a fight, if you would only agree to invite Yudhishthira."

Dhritarashtra said, "Your suggestion does not seem proper. Let us ask Vidura about it. He will advise us rightly."

Duryodhana didn't like the idea of asking Vidura so he replied, "Vidura will only give us the platitudes of ordinary morality, which will not help us to our object. The policy of kings must be very different from the goody maxims of textbooks, and is sterner stuff of which the test is success. Moreover, Vidura does not like me and is partial to the Pandavas. You know this as well as I do."

Dhritarashtra answered, "The Pandavas are strong. I do not think it wise to antagonize them. The game of dice will only lead to enmity. The passions resulting from the game will know no bounds. We should not do it."

Duryodhana said, "Wise statesmanship lies in casting off all fear and protecting oneself by one's own efforts. Should we not force the issue while yet we are more powerful than they are? That will be real foresight. A lost opportunity may never come again, and it is not as though we invented the game of dice to injure the Pandavas. It is an ancient pastime which kshatriyas have always indulged in, and if it will now serve us to win our cause without bloodshed, where is the harm?"

Dhritarashtra answered, "Dear son, I have grown old. Do as you like. But the line that you are taking does not appeal to me. I am sure you will repent later. This is the work of destiny."

The argument continued and eventually Dhritarashtra gave in, ordering the servants to prepare a hall of games. He consulted with Vidura in secret.

Vidura said, "O king, this will undoubtedly bring about the ruin of our race by raising up unquenchable hate." 

Dhritarashtra said, "If fortune favors us I have no fear regarding this game. If on the contrary, fortune goes against us, how could we help it? For, destiny is all- powerful. Go and invite Yudhishthira on my behalf to come and play dice."

As commanded, Vidura went to Yudhishthira. Dhritarashtra had wielded to his son's desires due to his strong attachment despite him knowing destiny was working itself out in this way.

Part 25 | The Wager

Upon seeing Vidura, Yudhishthira asked, "Why are you so cheerless? Is it well with all our relations in Hastinapura? Are the king and the princes well?"

Vidura answered, "Everyone in Hastinapura is well. How fares it with you all? I have come to invite you on behalf of King Dhritarashtra to come and see the newly erected hall of games. A beautiful hall has been erected there even like yours. The king would like you to come with your brothers, see everything, have a game of dice and return to your capital."

Yudhishthira said, "Wagering games create quarrels among kshatriyas. A wise man will avoid
them if he can. We are ever abiding by your advice. What would you have us do?"

Vidura replied, "Everyone is aware that the playing of dice is the root of many evils. I did my best to oppose this idea. Still the king has commanded me to invite you and I have come. You may do as you like."

However, despite Vidura's warning, Yudhishthira went to Hastinapura with his brothers. Some may ask why he responded to the invitation and there are three possible reasons: 1) He could have been fueled by lust, gambling, and alcohol. 2) Yudhishthira enjoyed gambling and it was tradition of the kshatriya to not refuse an invitation. 3) Vyasa previously warned Yudhishthira how quarrels could bring destruction and he didn't want to bring that upon him and his people by refusing the invitation.

The Pandavas stopped in the palace reserved for them and Yudhishthira rested on the day he arrived. After he completed his daily routine, he went to the hall for games the following morning. After exchanging greetings, Sakuni told Yudhishthira that the cloth for playing the game had been spread and invited him to join.

Yudhishthira said, "O king, gambling is bad. It is not through heroism or merit that one succeeds in a game of chance. Asita, Devala and other wise rishis who were well-versed in worldly affairs have declared that gambling should be avoided since it offers scope for deceit. They have also said that conquest in battle is the proper path for the kshatriyas. You are not unaware of it."

But due to his addiction to gambling, Yudhishthira was in turmoil. He desired to play against his better judgment. 

Sakuni noticed the struggle within him and said, "What is wrong with the game? What, in fact, is a battle? What is even a discussion between Vedic scholars? The learned man wins victory over the ignorant. The better man wins in every case. It is just a test of strength or skill, that is all, and there is nothing wrong in it. As for the result, in every field of activity, the expert defeats the beginner, and that is what happens in a game of dice also. But if you are afraid, you need not play. But do not come out with this worn excuse of right and wrong."

Yudhishthira answered, "Well, who is to play with me?"

Duryodhana said, "Mine is the responsibility for finding the stakes in the form of wealth and gems to play the game. My uncle Sakuni will actually cast the dice in my stead."

Yudhishthira thought he could defeat Duryodhana, but Sakuni would be a tougher opponent. Yudhishthira hesitated, but said, "It is not, I think, customary for one man to play on behalf of another."

Sakuni taunted him, "I see that you are forging another excuse."

Yudhishthira agreed to play.

Aside from Yudhishthira, Sakuni, and Duryodhana, the hall was crowded with Drona, Kripa, Bhishma, Vidura, and Dhritarashtra. They knew the game would be difficult and sat at the table unhappily, waiting for the inevitable to transpire. The princes watched with great interest. Initially, they gambled with jewels, then they started gambling with gold, silver, chariots, and horses. And unfortunately, Yudhishthira lost over and over again.

When he lost all that was gambled, Yudhishthira started pledging his servants, which he also lost. Then, he provided his elephants and armies, and lost them quickly too. Every time Sakuni threw the dice, he seemed to get the outcome he wanted. Yudhishthira continued to lose other items: cows, sheep, cities, villages, citizens, and all other possessions. But plagued with misfortune, he couldn't stop.

After losing the clothes he and his brother wore, including their ornaments, Sakuni asked, "Is there anything else that you can offer as wager?"

Yudhishthira replied, "Here is the beautiful sky-complexioned Nakula. He is one of my riches. I place him as a wager."

Sakuni said, "Is it so? We shall be glad to win your beloved prince." 

Sakuni threw the dice and the result was as he predicted.

Yudhishthira said, "Here is my brother Sahadeva. He is famous for his infinite knowledge in all the arts. It is wrong to bet him, still I do so. Let us play."

Sakuni threw the dice and said, "Here, I have played and I have won." Yudhishthira had lost Sahadeva too. Sakuni feared Yudhishthira would give up then, so he added, "To you, Bhima and Arjuna, being your full brothers, are no doubt dearer than the sons of Madri. You will not offer them, I know."

Yudhishthira answered, "Fool, do you seek to divide us? How can you, living an evil life, understand the righteous life we lead? I offer as wager the ever-victorious Arjuna who successfully voyages across oceans of battle. Let us play."

Sakuni said, "I cast the dice."

Yudhishthira lost Arjuna. He cried, saying, "O king, Bhima, my brother, is our leader in battle. He strikes terror into the heart of demons and is equal to Indra; he can never suffer the least dishonor and he is peerless throughout the world in physical strength. I offer him as a bet." 

Yudhishthira lost Bhima.

Sakuni asked, "Is there any thing else you can offer?"

Dharmaputra said, "Yes. Here is myself. If you win, I shall be your slave."

Sakuni threw the dice and won, saying "Look. I win." He stood and shouted the names of the Pandavas he won and proclaimed how they had all become his slaves lawfully. He then turned to Yudhishthira and said, "There is one jewel still in your possession by staking which you can yet free yourself. Can you not continue the game offering your wife Draupadi as wager?"

Yudhishthira said, "I pledge her" despite trembling.

The assembly grew agitated and they shouted "Fie! Fie!" Some suspected the end of the world had come. Duryodhana, his brothers, as well as Karna were pleased. Yuyutsu bent his head in shame and sighed when Sakuni threw the dice and shouted his victories once more.

Duryodhana turned to Vidura and said, "Go and fetch Draupadi, the beloved wife of the Pandavas. She must hence forward sweep and clean our house. Let her come without delay."

Vidura replied, "Are you mad that you rush to certain destruction? You are hanging by a slender thread over a bottomless abyss! Drunk with success, you do not see it, but it will engulf you!" After he completed his reprimanding, he addressed the assembly and said, "Yudhishthira had no right to stake Panchali as by then he had himself already lost his freedom and lost all rights. I see that the ruin of the Kauravas is imminent, and that, regardless of the advice of their friends and well-wishers, the sons of Dhritarashtra are on the path to hell."

Duryodhana became angry at Vidura's words and told Prathikami, his charioteer, "Vidura is jealous of us and he is afraid of the Pandavas. But you are different. Go forth and bring Draupadi immediately."

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