02.067
Core-Pancharatra: Shakuni wins the game with twelve years of forest and one year of incognito at stake.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Prātikāmī, after proceeding, conveyed to Yudhiṣṭhira the message of the wise king Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (2-67-1)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, the assembly is prepared and the dice are set, O king. Your father said to you, "Come, O Pāṇḍava, play dice," O descendant of Bharata. (2-67-2)
Yudhishthira said.
By the command of the inner principle, beings experience both good and evil. There is no end to these two; life must be lived again, if so destined. (2-67-3)
Even knowing that the invitation to dice-play by the command of the elder is destructive, I am not able to disobey it. (2-67-4)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, having spoken in this way, the Pāṇḍava departed with his brothers. Knowing the deceit of Śakuni, Pārtha again went to the game of dice. (2-67-5)
The great chariot-warriors again entered that assembly, but the foremost of the Bharatas disturbed the minds of their friends. (2-67-6)
They sat as they pleased, once again to resume the game of dice, driven by fate towards the destruction of all people. (2-67-7)
Shakuni said.
The elder did not give up your honored wealth. But listen to me, O best of the Bharatas, about one great wealth—gambling. (2-67-8)
We, having been defeated by you at dice for twelve years, shall enter the great forest wearing garments made of ruru-deer skin. (2-67-9)
They spent one year, the thirteenth, unknown among people; and the other twelve years, known, in the forest. (2-67-10)
Either we have conquered you, or you have spent twelve years in the forest, dwelling with Kṛṣṇā, clothed in skins. (2-67-11)
When the thirteenth year is completed, the kingdom should be rightfully regained, either by the others or by different parties, as appropriate. (2-67-12)
With this resolve, join us, Yudhiṣṭhira. Cast the dice again, come to the game, and play, O Bhārata. (2-67-13)
The assembly members spoke.
Alas! Shame on the relatives—they do not make him aware of the great danger. Even by intellect, what should be understood, they themselves do not understand, O best of the Bharatas. (2-67-14)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Hearing many popular opinions, the king, out of modesty and attachment to righteousness, and Pārtha, should again go to the dice-game. (2-67-15)
Though he knew, the wise one again initiated the dice-game, thinking, "Perhaps this may not be the destruction of the Kurus." (2-67-16)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
How could a king like me, who follows his own duty, refuse when called? O Śakuni, I play at dice with you. (2-67-17)
Shakuni said.
There were cows, horses, many milch-cows, endless goats and sheep, elephants, treasury, gold, and all kinds of female and male slaves in abundance. (2-67-18)
This dispute is solely for the sake of forest exile, O Pāṇḍavas. Whichever of us is defeated—either you or we—shall go and live in the forest. (2-67-19)
O Bhārata, O best of the Bharatas, let us strive with this effort; by casting (the dice) with one throw, let us determine the exile to the forest. (2-67-20)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Pārtha accepted him; Saubala took the wager; Śakuni then said to Yudhiṣṭhira, 'It is won.' (2-67-21)
