The plot to cheat

When we left the scene of the Rajasooyam ritual Duryodhana and his uncle, Sakuni, had remained behind in the court of the Pandavas. Duryodhana wanted to inspect the newly built assembly hall of the Pandavas in detail. He went around with his uncle to its every nook and corner. He was amazed by the genius of its design and the quality of workmanship. Each piece of stone was appropriately selected and intricately laid.

A warning by Sage Vedavyasa

Yudhishthira wanted to know from Vyasa, when the sage bid farewell after the Rajasooyam, what the implication was of the slaying of Sisupala. Vyasa agreed that the event had serious consequences in the next thirteen years. Yudhishthira would be the centre of the disaster, Duryodhana the cause and the entire race of warrior kings would suffer as a result.

The Pandava emperor was greatly saddened with the prophecy, because of its gravity and also because it was on his account that the calamity would befall. He thought that he should better end his life rather than cause so much harm to the rest. Arjuna consoled him with the words that what was required was to make wise decisions.

Yudhishthira then announced that he would give no cause for any conflict for the next thirteen years. He would speak no harsh words and behave with no difference between friends and foes.

Duryodhana’s woes

Duryodhana was crest fallen with what he saw at the assembly hall. He also had made some blunders during his tour of inspection. He failed to notice a cleverly built pond inside the hall and fell into it. He was soaked to his top. Bheema could not contain his laughter. What was worse was that he even offered dry clothes for change to the fuming Kaurava.

He thought that he was clever enough to notice another one in time. He raised his clothes and stepped into it with a knowing smile. To his shame it was simply a mirage. He evoked peals of laughter even from Draupadi and her friends. There were other places, too, where he was tricked by the clever workmanship of the hall. On all those occasions he attracted mocking laughter even from the servants.

Duryodhana’s heart had already sunk after witnessing the splendour of the Rajasooya ceremony and how his arch rivals, the Pandavas, shined in glory throughout the affair. Worse still, he was made in charge of receiving all the gifts from the visiting kings. So, he had a clear idea of all the wealth that accumulated during the ceremony. The eldest Pandavas had become an emperor over all lands that one could reach by land or sea. The five brothers had become even more invincible. What Duryodhana owned was nothing in comparison with what the Pandavas came to possess.

Sakuni Consoles

Sakuni did not fail to notice the low morale of his nephew. He asked Duryodhana what was the matter with him. The Kaurava had to confess that he would rather commit suicide than witness the rising fortunes of his enemies. Sakuni instilled some courage in him. What was the use of brooding over other’s wealth earned through proper means? As a courageous prince Duryodhana should beat them through his own efforts. Those words brought the fighting spirit of Duryodhana back to him. He wanted to challenge the Pandavas immediately for a fight and make a quick victory over them. Sakuni told Duryodhana that the Pandavas, who were already invincible, had become even more powerful. It was wishful thinking that the Kauravas could pose any threat to them now. Instead, Sakuni’s plotting mind had already come up with a plan

The ploy

The prince of Gandhara was at his best in gambling. Yudhishthira was always tempted to accept any invitation, but, was not aware how weak a player he was. Sakuni could easily cheat him, if so required, and win all the stakes his opponent would place at the game. The Pandava must, somehow, be given such an invitation that he would find it difficult to refuse. The invitation should come from Dhritarashtra. That was the first trick. Sakuni would take care of the rest.

Dhritarashtra worried about his son

Sakuni , then, went to Dhritarashtra and reported that his son was in distress. The sire would find his son getting paler day by day and not caring to eat or sleep. Dhritarashtra felt great pain to learn about the malady that had afflicted his son.

He called Duryodhana to his side and asked him what the matter was. Then, Duryodhana told his father all that he witnessed in the palace of the Pandavas. He would rather die than suffer the ignominy of paling into insignificance as the star of the Pandavas shone brighter day by day. Dhritarashtra tried to console him to no avail.

The king wanted to know what he could do to remedy the situation. Duryodhana, then, unfolded the plan that his clever uncle proposed. Dhritarashtra was not happy to encourage gambling since he knew would always bring calamity. It would invite disaster both to the Pandavas and to themselves. Besides, Vidura would never agree to such an unwise move.

But, Duryodhana was adamant. It was either the game of dice or his end. Which one would his father choose?

Dhritarashtra relents

Dhritarashtra’s mind weighed the pros and cons. His heart told him that it was unwise to engage in gambling between the cousins. But, he loved his son too much to think about the right and wrong of the move. What mattered was the happiness of his beloved son.

To give some legitimacy to the proposal, Dhritarashtra ordered a new hall for gambling to be built in the most grandeur manner and in the quickest possible time. For once he did not consult Vidura on this.

When the hall was ready he asked Vidura to pay a visit to the Pandavas and invite Yudhishthira for a game of dice in the newly built hall. The matter was not open for discussion. Rather, it was an order from the king to his minister. Yet, Vidura tried his best to dissuade the king from the misadventure. Fate had already started playing its part and Vidura was asked to go on his errand against his will.