One last game of dice

Mahabharata sabhaparva section 70-74

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

Dussasana then rushes to Duryodhan and tells him that their father has freed Yudhisitr and Pandavas are going towards Indraprastha. The evil four, Duryodhan, Dussasan, Sakuni and Karna then meet King Dhritarastra and tells him the following words, "Be aware of the great danger from Pandavas. Having placed the foot on venemous serpent's head, one can't remove it. Pandavas will not be able to forgive the insults we have done to them and Draupadi. They will surely avenge their insult. So, ask them to come back once more and play one last game of dice. The stake will be, whoever loses has to be in exile in forest for 12 years, and pass 13th year unrecognised in some uninhabited region. If their location is recognised in 13th year they have to pass another 12 years in exile, followed by 13th year of unrecognised inhabitation. Sakuni can definitely win us this game".

Then Drona, Somadatta, Valhika, Gautama, Vidura, the son of Drona, Bhurisravas, and Bhishma,Vikarna advice against it. Dhritarastra disregarding the counsel of his friends, relatives, and ministers then sends for Yudhistir to play this game.

Gandhari, queen of Dhritarastra, advices him against this, and asks him to abandon Duryodhan, as their race will be doomed to destruction by Duryodhan's evil mechanisms. Dhritarastra says 'If we are destined to doom, let it be".

Summoned by King Dhritarastra to play dice, Yudhistir says "Beings obtain fruits according to their karma and as ordained by divine will. Whether I accept this invitation or not, I have to undergo inevitable fruits of my past karma. Also, it is an invitation to play dice, and order of King. So I am accepting".

Sakuni then describes the stake to Yudhistir of 12 years of exile in forest followed by 13th year of unrecognised exile. Yudhistir accepts the stake, and then Sakuni, the cheat, casts the dice and says 'Lo, I have won'.

Hari Om

Atmajyoti in guruseva