The second sting

Duryodhana and his conspiring associates, Dussasana, Sakuni and Karna, were furious hearing about the gesture of the old king. They thought that all that was gained the hard way had gone waste. They rushed to Dhritarashtra to complain.

Duryodhana spoke to his father. “The Pandavas are our perpetual enemies, and enemies are to be destroyed at all costs. They have gone back with a grudge against us. Arjuna’s bow, Gandiva, is impatient to destroy us with the arrows from his swollen quiver. Bhima’s club is aching to crush us. None of the Pandavas would pardon us for what we did to Draupadi. The only way for us is to remove them through a second round at the table of dice”.

Duryodhana’s logic found the approval of Dhritarashtra. He, immediately, commanded that the Pandavas be invited again for a game of dice. All the elders, including Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and Kripa, objected and advised the king not to repeat the mistake. But, Dhritarashtra ignored their warning.

Gandhari takes exception

Gandhari was sorry to hear about the misguided decision of her husband. She complained to him. “My Lord! Do you remember what Vidura said when Duryodhana was born? He noticed the evil omens that appeared at the time and prophesied that he would be the cause for the destruction of the entire Kaurava race. Vidura had asked you to kill the boy right after birth. You did not listen to his words out of love for the son. The recent events indicate that our son is leading all of us to the predicted course of destruction”. Dhritarashtra’s only comment was, “if that is our fate, then nothing can prevent it”.

The second game of dice

Duryodhana immediately sent Pratikami to Yudhishthira. The Pandavas had hardly reached their palace. They were surprised by the invitation in spite of all that happened. Yet, Yudhishthira only repeated his earlier stand that he would not refuse a command from his uncle. Who could resist fate, reasoned the Pandava.

Sakuni was ready with the dice in the hall for gambling. He announced the terms for the new round. “There is no need to put stakes one by one. The loser should retire to forest with the family in the garb of ascetics for twelve years. Another year should be spent completely incognito. If their identity is revealed, then they should spend another twelve years in forest. After completing the term successfully they can return home and continue enjoying their half of the kingdom”.

The people who had assembled were shocked realizing what was happening. They wondered: “Should the Pandava engage in the game again even after going through defeat once?”

Dussasana torments

When everyone was watching in disbelief Sakuni threw the dice and announced that he won.
There was no escape for the Pandavas from their fate. The Pandavas abandoned their royal attire and changed to single cloths of hide.

Dussasa found pleasure in the plight of the Pandavas. He spoke in words meant to hurt his arch rivals. “Let the Pandavas go in exile. Now, it is time for us, Kauravas, to enjoy. How silly the Panchala king, Drupada, was to marry his daughter off to these impotent Pandavas. Now, Draupadi, you better accept one of us as your new husband”. So saying, he started dancing with delight in front of the Pandavas.

Pledge for revenge

Bhima retorted in response to those words from the Kaurava. “You speak with undeserving pride in victory by cheating us in the game. You speak words meant to pierce our hearts. I will have my revenge by breaking yours with my club. I shall also break your elder brother’s thigh for his indecent action and kill all your other brothers in war. This is my pledge”.

He, further, warned that Arjuna would kill Karna. Sahadeva would avenge Sakuni’s foul play by sending him to the abode of he dead.

Arjuna accepted the words of Bhima as his command to him and vowed that he would kill Karna. Sahadeva, similarly, promised to take revenge on Sakuni.

Bidding farewell

Yudhishthira and his brothers went to bid farewell to Dhritarahtra, Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and Kripa. Vidura told Yudhishthira. “Do not take your mother with you. Let her stay with me. I shall take good care of her”. They accepted that suggestion and left Kunti in the care of Vidura. Vidura consoled the Pandavas that they should not be disheartened with the turn of events. Good times would come to them.

Kunti was grief stricken to see her sons go in exile. She was all the more sorry for Draupadi. It was a tearful farewell that took place between the Pandavas who were leaving and those who were left behind.

The celestial sage Narada happened to arrive at the very moment the Pandavas were leaving. He consoled the Pandavas and prophesied that the Kauravas would perish after thirteen years.
Slowly, the Pandavas moved away leaving everything else behind. Dhaumya, their priest, walked ahead. Yudhishthira followed their priest with Bhima right behind him. Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva went after their elders in that order. Draupadi walked in the rear, following all others.

The citizens of Hastinapura and Indraprastha were distressed. They thronged both the side of streets to see their dear princes on their way out. Many tried to follow the Pandavas to the forest. It was with great effort that the Pandavas turned them back.

Vedavyasa ends the chapter on “the second game of dice (Anudyoota Parvam) and the second book with the title “the book of the assembly hall (Sabha Parvam)” here.