02.044
Core-Pancharatra: Shakuni suggests inviting Yudhisthira for a game of dice
Shakuni said.
Duryodhana, you should not be angry with Yudhishthira. The Pandavas are always enjoying their own rightful shares. (2-44-1)
By many means, you have repeatedly made efforts in the past; and the heroic men, favored by fortune, have been set free. (2-44-2)
Thus, Draupadī was won by them as their wife; Drupada and his sons became their allies in the conquest of the earth, and Vāsudeva, the mighty one, also supported them. (2-44-3)
O lord of the earth, the ancestral share has been obtained and not overpowered; their energy has increased—what cause for lamentation is there? (2-44-4)
Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), with the Gāṇḍīva bow and his companion, both being inexhaustible great archers, having obtained divine weapons, satisfied the fire-god. (2-44-5)
With that foremost bow and his own arm's strength, he subdued the kings; so what cause for lamentation is there? (2-44-6)
After freeing Maya from being burned by fire, Savyasachi (Arjuna), the scorcher of foes, had that demon construct the assembly hall. (2-44-7)
Those servants called rākṣasas, spoken of by Maya and by him, terrible ones, carry that assembly hall there; what cause is there for lamentation? (2-44-8)
O king, O descendant of Bharata, what you have said about being helpless is untrue; for these brothers of yours are indeed your helpers, and they are mighty chariot-warriors. (2-44-9)
Droṇa, your mighty archer, along with his wise son; Karna, the son of the charioteer, Radheya, and Kripa, the great chariot-warrior, (2-44-10)
I, along with my uterine brothers and the mighty Saumadatti, together with all these, you, being united with them, conquer the whole earth. (2-44-11)
Duryodhana said.
O king, if you approve, I shall conquer these (enemies) together with you and these other great chariot-warriors. (2-44-12)
Today, with these lands conquered, the earth will become mine. All the kings of the earth, that assembly, and its great wealth (will be mine). (2-44-13)
Shakuni said.
Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa), Bhīmasena (Bhīma), Yudhiṣṭhira, Nakula, Sahadeva, and Drupada along with his sons. (2-44-14)
Even the hosts of gods cannot conquer these great chariot-warriors, mighty bowmen, masters of weapons, and those arrogant in battle by force. (2-44-15)
But I know that by whom it is possible to conquer; O king, know and accept that it is Yudhiṣṭhira himself. (2-44-16)
Duryodhana said.
O uncle, if it is possible for you to conquer friends, others, and great souls by vigilance, then tell me that.
Shakuni said.
The son of Kunti is fond of gambling, but he does not know how to play; and once he has been invited, O king, he will not be able to withdraw. (2-44-18)
Among the gods, I am skilled, and there is no one equal to me on earth; in the three worlds, summon that son of Kunti to the game of dice. (2-44-19)
O king, I will certainly not give the kingdom, the prosperity, and that brilliant wealth of him skilled in dice, for your sake, O best of men. (2-44-20)
But you must inform all this to King Duryodhana. Having been permitted by your father, I will surely conquer him; there is no doubt about it. (2-44-21)
Duryodhana said.
You alone, O son of Subala, should inform Dhritarashtra, the chief of the Kurus, as is proper; I am not able to declare this. (2-44-22)
