02.053
Core-Pancharatra: Game of dice starts and Yudhisthira loses his first stake.
Shakuni said.
O king, the assembly is ready and these men are prepared to play. The dice have been placed; let the game begin, Yudhishthira. (2-53-1)
Yudhishthira said.
Deceit is sinful for the gods and not valorous for a kṣatriya here; nor is righteousness assured, O king. Why then do you praise gambling? (2-53-2)
Honor is never praised in the deceit of a gambler, O Śakuni. Do not try to defeat us by cruel means. (2-53-3)
Shakuni said.
He who follows the count in cheating, knows the rules, is tireless in actions, is a gambler in dice games, has great intellect, and knows gambling—such a person indeed endures all the processes. (2-53-4)
The dice-gambler should not defeat the other; you have said that only a thief becomes time. We play dice, O king, do not be suspicious; place the stake, and do not delay or hesitate. (2-53-5)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Thus, this Asita Devala, the best among sages, said: "These are the gateways to the worlds; whoever always moves through them." (2-53-6)
This is truly the fault of the Devas, who, through illusion and with cheats, act so. But victory in battle achieved by righteousness is truly supreme and good for the Devas. (2-53-7)
Women speak in barbarous languages and act with deceit, but this battle is neither crooked nor deceitful; it is the vow of noble men. (2-53-8)
We strive, according to our ability, to instruct Brāhmaṇas who are worthy of reverence. That indeed is wealth; O goddesses, do not, O bird, seek to conquer anything else. (2-53-9)
I do not desire pleasures or wealth by deceit. Even the conduct of a gambler who is not deceitful is not honored. (2-53-10)
Shakuni said.
O Yudhiṣṭhira, when a learned person surpasses an unlearned one by means of deceit, people do not consider that to be deceit. (2-53-11)
Thus, if you have come to me here and consider this to be deceit, then turn back from the god if you feel any fear. (2-53-12)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
I have taken a vow that, once called, I will not turn back. Destiny is powerful, O king; I am under the control of what is ordained. (2-53-13)
In this assembly, who will be my stake? And who else is the counter-stake? Then let the dice-game begin. (2-53-14)
Duryodhana said.
O lord of peoples, I am the giver of jewels and riches; for my sake, this Śakuni, my maternal uncle, has been exalted to divinity. (2-53-15)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
The action of one towards another seems unfair to me. O wise one, please accept this; let it be carried out in this way. (2-53-16)
Vaiśampāyana said.
But as the game of dice was about to begin, all the kings, with Dhritarashtra at their head, entered that assembly. (2-53-17)
Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and Vidura, the wise, did not follow with much pleasure in their hearts, O Bhārata. (2-53-18)
Those lion-necked warriors of great energy, both in pairs and individually, occupied many splendid and varied lion-thrones. (2-53-19)
O king, that assembly shone with the presence of those kings who had assembled there, just as heaven shines when the greatly fortunate gods are gathered together. (2-53-20)
O great king, all the valiant knowers of the Veda, all radiant in form, then commenced the friendly game of dice. (2-53-21)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O king, this splendid and wealthy necklace, originating from the ocean's whirlpool, is the finest among pearl necklaces and is adorned with the best gold. (2-53-22)
O king, this wealth is mine; but who is your counter-pledge? Let this be the order, dear one. I shall conquer Duryodhana. (2-53-23)
Duryodhana said.
I have jewels and various kinds of wealth, and I do not have envy for possessions; I overcome this Duryodhana. (2-53-24)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Śakuni, who understood the true nature of dice, took up the dice and said to Yudhishthira, 'It is won.' (2-53-25)
