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द्यूतपर्वन् (dyUtaparvan)

 
Mahabharata
English
Dyūtaparvan (“the section relating to the gambling, ” the 28th of the minor parvans of the Mhbhr.). § 10 (Parvas.): I, 2, 319.--§ 293: When Vyāsa with his disciples came to take leave, Yudhishṭhira asked him about the celestial, atmospherical, and terrestrial portents which, according to the statement of Nārada, had happened at the rājasūya. Vyāsa said that in thirteen years they would be fulfilled by the destruction of all the kshatriyas, and that Yudhishṭhira would that very night see Śiva gazing incessantly towards the direction presided over by the king of the Pitṛs (i.e. the south). Then Vyāsa with his disciples proceeded towards Kailāsa. Yudhishṭhira resolved to die in order that he might not be the cause of the destruction of the kshatriyas, but called back from his intention by Phālguna (i.e. Arjuna), he took upon him the vow not to speak a harsh word to his brothers or to any of the kings. Then, having gratified the Pitṛs and gods, he entered his own palace, accompanied by his ministers (II, 46).--§ 294: Duryodhana, accompanied by Śakuni, by and by beheld all the sabhā
he mistook a piece of crystal for water and drew off his clothes, mistook a lake for land and fell in, etc., and was laughed at by Bhīma, Arjuna, the twins, and the menials of the palace. Filled with wrath and jealousy he became pale, and returned to Hāstinapura, together with Śakuni (II, 47). Śakuni told him to ask Yudhishṭhira, who was very fond of gambling and did not know how to play, to play at dice
then he (Śakuni), who was skilled in dice, would win his kingdom and prosperity for Duryodhana (II, 48). Śakuni told Dhṛtarāshṭra that Duryodhana was pale and depressed
Dhṛtarāshṭra asked Duryodhana the cause
Duryodhana told him that Yudhishṭhira supported 88, 000 snātakas, giving to each of them thirty slave-girls
that 10, 000 other brahmans daily ate at his palace the best food off golden plates
that the king of Kāmboja sent to him innumerable skins, etc.
that the Ocean brought the Vāruṇa nectar to him in a vessel of copper, as the celestial wives (amarastriyaḥ) to Indra
that Vāsudeva, having brought an excellent conch, bathed him with sea-water brought in 1, 000 jars of gold, etc., from the eastern, southern, and western oceans
that the conches, which were blown when 100, 000 brahmans were fed, could be heard there almost incessantly, etc. Duryodhana proposed to Dhṛtarāshṭra to invite Yudhishṭhira to a game at dice with Śakuni, and prevented him from consulting Vidura till he had had a sabhā built. Then he ordered Vidura, who dissuaded him in vain, to invite Yudhishṭhira. Vidura in great sorrow went to Bhīshma (II, 49).--At the request of Janamejaya, Vaiśampāyana related that Dhṛtarāshṭra, having ascertained the opinion of Vidura (b), sought to bring Duryodhana back from his purpose to play at dice
but Duryodhana would not give way, relating that the Nīpas, Citrakas, the Kaukuras, the Kāraskaras, and the Lohajaṅghas were like bondsmen in the house of Yudhishṭhira, and that Bhīma, Arjuna, and Draupadī had laughed at his mistake regarding the crystal, etc. (II, 50).--§ 295: Duryodhana enumerated to Dhṛtarāshṭra the articles brought as tribute from various peoples to Yudhishṭhira. Yājñasenī (i.e. Kṛshṇā) daily (during the rājasūya) took care that everybody, including the deformed and the dwarfs, had eaten before she herself took her meal. Only two peoples did not pay tribute to Yudhishṭhira, the Pāñcālas, in consequence of their relationship by marriage, and the Andhaka-Vṛshṇis, in consequence of their friendship (II, 52).--§ 296: Duryodhana continued to enumerate kings, etc., who waited upon Yudhishṭhira at the rājasūya. The Ocean brought that Vāruṇa conch (śaikyaṃ, “in a sling, ” PCR., i.e. in a strap, cf. BR.), which Viśvakarman had constructed with 1, 000 nishkas, and which Prajāpati had in a former kalpa presented to Indra
with that conch Kṛshṇa anointed (abhishiktaḥ) Yudhishṭhira. When the conches were blown, those among the kings who were weak fell down, and Dhṛshṭadyumna, Sātyaki, the Pāṇḍavas, and Keśava laughed
then Bībhatsu (= Arjuna) gave to the principal brahmans 500 bullocks with horns plated with gold, and Yudhishṭhira obtained, like Hariścandra, such properity that he surpassed Rantideva, Nābhāga, Yauvanāśva, Manu, Pṛthu Vainya, Bhagīratha, Yayāti, and Nahusha (II, 53).--§ 297: Continuation of the conversation between Dhṛtarāshṭra and Duryodhana (II, 54, 55). --§ 298: As Śakuni recommended the match of dice and praised his own dexterity in gambling, and Duryodhana spoke reprovingly of Vidura on account of his fondness for the Pāṇḍavas, etc., Dhṛtarāshṭra reluctantly caused the sabhā (called Toraṇasphāṭikā) to be built, with 1, 000 columns adorned with gold and lapis lazuli, a krośa in length and breadth, and then ordered Vidura to bring Yudhishṭhira and his brothers (II, 56, 57). Vidura arrived at the palace of Yudhishṭhira and invited him. Yudhishṭhira, having learned that he should have to play with Śakuni, -Viviṃśati, Citrasena, Satyavrata, Purumitra, and Jaya, “the most desperate and terrible gamblers, always depending upon deceit, ” was unwilling to come
but as he had made the vow never to refuse when challenged, he set out for Hāstinapura the next day with his relatives, Draupadī, brahmans, etc., riding on the chariot taken charge of (so BR.) by Bāhlīka, and when he had arrived he saluted Bhīshma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Kṛpa, Aśvatthāman, Somadatta, Duryodhana, Śalya, Saubala, Duḥśāsana, Jayadratha, etc., and Gāndhārī and Dhṛtarāshṭra (II, 58). Śakuni exhorted Yudhishṭhira to gamble. Yudhishṭhira quoted Asita Devala (b), but he was obliged to assent
Duryodhana said that he himself would supply jewels, etc., and that it was for him that Śakuni would play (II, 59). The play began, the stake being a wreath of pearls, which Śakuni won (II, 60). Śakuni then won from Yudhishṭhira his treasury, slave-girls, serving-men, elephants, chariots, the Gandharva horses which Citrasena had given to Arjuna, his warriors, and nidhis (II, 61). Vidura, addressing Dhṛtarāshtṛa, quoted the words of Kāvya, and reminded him that among the Bhojas they had abandoned an unworthy (asamañjasaṃ) son
the Andhakas, Yādavas, and Bhojas had abandoned Kaṃsa, and when he had been slain by Kṛshṇa the whole tribe became glad for a hundred years
“[likewise]
let Arjuna slay this Suyodhana at thy command”
he quoted what Kāvya said to the Asuras in order to induce them to abandon Jambha, and related how a king from greediness after gold killed some gold-vomiting fowls that dwelt in his house, and so destroyed both his present and future wealth (II, 62). Vidura warned against the gambling, and suggested to Dhṛtarāshṭra rather to win the Pāṇḍavas than their wealth, and to let Śakuni, the hill-king (Pārvatīyaḥ), return whence he came (II, 63). Duryodhana blamed Vidura for his partiality towards the Pāṇḍavas, and said that he would only follow the advice of his own intellect. Vidura complained of the ingratitude of kings and their fondness of flattery (II, 64). Yudhishṭhira lost his wealth, kine, horses, goats, and sheep, “from Parṇāśā to the eastern bank of the Sindhu, ” his city, country, lands, and the wealth of all dwelling therein, except that of the brahmans, and all those persons themselves except the brahmans, the ear-rings and nishkas and other ornaments of the princes who were present, then Nakula, Sahadeva, Arjuna, Bhīma, himself, and Draupadī
now Bhīshma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Vidura, etc., all gave way to grief, but Dhṛtarāshṭra, Karṇa, Duḥśāsana, etc., were glad (II, 65).--§ 299: Duryodhana ordered Kshattṛ (i.e. Vidura) to bring hither Draupadī to sweep the chambers and stay with the servant maids
Vidura declared that having lost himself, Yudhishṭhira could not lawfully stake Draupadī, and said: “A goat had once swallowed a knife, and when it was pierced by it the hunter placed the head of the animal on the ground, and when drawing the knife out he tore its throat frightfully
therefore do not swallow the wealth of the Pāṇḍavas” (II, 66). Then Duryodhana ordered the prātikāmin (a sūta) to bring Draupadī
she ordered him to ask Yudhishṭhira whether he had lost himself or her first
as Yudhishṭhira said nothing, Duryodhana ordered that Draupadī should come and put her question in the assembly
she sent the sūta back to the assembly saying that she would do what aged and virtuous persons would tell her
all sat without uttering a word
but Yudhishṭhira sent a trusted messenger to Draupadī, directing that, although in consequence of her season having come she was attired in one piece of cloth only. she should come before her father-in-law weeping bitterly. Duryodhana again ordered the prātikāmin to bring her, and as he seemed irresolute, he asked Duḥśāsana to do so. As she would flee to the ladies' household, Duḥśāsana dragged her in by her hair, while she was praying to Kṛshṇa and Jishṇu (i.e. Arjuna), who were Nārāyaṇa and Nara, and blaming Droṇa, Bhīshma, Vidura, etc., for looking silently on this crime. As she was casting a glance upon her enraged lords, Duḥśāsana, dragging her still more forcibly, addressed her, “Slave! slave!” and laughed aloud, applauded by Karṇa, Śakuni, and Duryodhana, while all the others were filled with sorrow. Bhīshma declared himself to be unable to decide the question she had put. As she then asked the others present to decide it, Duḥśāsana spoke many harsh words, and Bhīma, looking at Yudhishṭhira, gave way to wrath (II, 67). Bhīma blamed Yudhishṭhira, and ordered Sahadeva to bring fire, as he wanted to burn the hands of Yudhishṭhira, but Arjuna appeased him. Vikarṇa repeatedly appealed to those present to decide the question, and as they did not say one word, he declared that as Yudhishṭhīra must be regarded as of no authority, because he had shown himself addicted to the vice of gambling, etc., he regarded Draupadī as not won. All applauded him, except Karṇa, who maintained that she had been justly won, and as, contrary to the ordinance of the gods that a woman should have only one husband, she had five husbands, there was no impropriety in dragging her to the assembly, and even to uncover her. Karṇa then asked Duḥśāsana to take off the robes of the Pāṇḍavas and the attire of Draupadī. The Pāṇḍavas took off their upper garments, and Duḥśāsana began to drag off the attire of Draupadī. But as she thought of and cried to Hari (i.e. Kṛshṇa), Dharma continually covered her anew with excellent clothes. Bhīma swore that he would drink the blood of Duḥśāsana. All blamed Duḥśāsana and Dhṛtarāshṭra. Vidura exhorted the assembly to answer the question put by Draupadī, and related the dialogue of Prahlāda (q.v.) and Āṅgirasa (i.e. Sudhanvan) (§ 300).--§ 300: v. Prahlāda.--§ 301: The kings answered not a word, and Karṇa told Duḥśāsana to take away the slave-woman Kṛshṇā to the inner apartments (II, 68). Dragged by Duḥśāsana, Draupadī saluted the assembly, complained of being exposed to the gaze of the crowd, and again asked them to answer her question. Bhīshma again declared himself unable to decide it, but thought Yudhishṭhira ought to decide it (II, 69). Duryodhana said to Draupadī: “Let thy husbands decide the question, and, by making Yudhishṭhira the just a liar, free thee from slavery.” Bhīma said that only his obedience to Yudhishṭhira and the admonitions of Arjuna retained him from killing the wretched sons of Dhṛtarāshṭra. Bhīshma, Droṇa, and Vidura asked him to forbear (II, 70). Karṇa exhorted Draupadī to choose a new husband among the sons of Dhṛtarāshṭra, and Duryodhana, after having exhorted Yudhishṭhira to decide the question, uncovered his left thigh and showed it to Draupadī. Bhīshma swore that he would break this thigh of his. Vidura warned them, and was of opinion that Yudhishṭhira had no right to stake her. Duryodhana said that if Bhīma, Arjuna, and the twins declared that Yudhishṭhira was not their master, then Draupadī should be free. Arjuna said that he was certainly their master before the play, “but having lost himself, let all the Kauravas judge whose master he could be after that.” Just then a jackal began to cry near the agnihotra of Dhṛtarāshṭra, and other terrible omens were heard. On that account Gāndhārī and Vidura remonstrated with Dhṛtarāshṭra, who blamed Duryodhana and granted a boon to Kṛshṇā. She chose that Yudhishṭhira should become free from slavery. As she was granted a second boon, she asked that Bhīma and his brothers with their chariots and bows should regain their liberty. She refused to ask a third boon (II, 71). Karṇa praised Draupadī for having saved her husbands. Bhīma threatened to slay all his foes instantly, but was retained by Arjuna and Yudhishṭhira (II, 72). Dhṛtarāshṭra sent Yudhishṭhira with his brothers and Kṛshṇā upon their chariots to Indraprastha, having asked him not to remember the harshness of Duryodhana (II, 73).