by Kotru, Umesh
“Mamaji, I am curious to know your plan. Please don’t speak in riddles,” said Duryodhana. His anxiety level was growing and he was nervous about leaving Karna alone. “Have patience, my dear son,” replied Shakuni. “After several trials, I am now confident that the dice that I have developed is perfectly under my control. I can always make each and every throw of mine turn up a number of my choice at my free will.” He even demonstrated this to Duryodhana with a few throws. “Mamaji, all this is fine, but I fail to understand how this is going to help in solving my problem,” exclaimed Duryodhana.
“My dear, when it comes to matters of deep strategy, you still have much to learn. Let me explain. But before I proceed, please promise to keep whatever I have just shown you an absolute secret and do not disclose this to even Karna,” said Shakuni. “I promise to do as you say Mamaji,” replied a curious Duryodhana. “Good! You know that playing the game of dice is one of the customary modes of entertainment for the kings and the nobility. You are also aware that Yudhishthira respects custom, apart from being himself much attached to the game. Hence he will not be able to resist an invitation to dice. You have only to use your filial influence to persuade your father to invite the Pandavas for a game of dice. Make sure that you nominate me to play on your behalf and leave the rest to your Mama and his brilliant invention,” said Shakuni. Duryodhana immediately understood the cunning plot of his crafty uncle and hugged him tightly. He said, “Mamaji you are a real genius. Forgive me for taking time to understand your plan. I will get the needful done very soon.”
Duryodhana went back to join Karna and made some excuses for leaving him alone. Karna, having no idea about what had transpired between Duryodhana and Shakuni said, “Never mind my friend, I know you have many important matters of state to attend to.” Thereafter Duryodhana set his heart and mind at finding an opportune time to approach his father as per the advice given by Shakuni. He was particularly wary about Vidura and looked for an opportunity when he was nowhere close to his father. As soon as he found Dhritarashtra sitting alone in his chamber, Duryodhana got his doting father to agree to invite the Pandavas for a game of dice. Dhritarashtra made Vidura visit Indraprastha to invite Yudhishthira for a game of dice in Hastinapura, for which a large hall was specially set up in the palace. After having succeeded in his plan to persuade his father for inviting the Pandavas, Duryodhana brought Karna also on board with the help of his ample persuasive powers and reminding him about his personal enmity with Arjuna.
Yudhishthira, although initially expressing misgivings about engaging in the game of dice citing the vice associated with the game, could not decline the invite since it had come from Dhritarashtra himself, whom he respected like his own father. Accompanied by his brothers, Draupadi and Kunti, Yudhishthira arrived in Hastinapura for the fateful event. Before the game could commence, Duryodhana announced that Shakuni would throw the dice on his behalf and requested Dhritarashtra for his permission, which was promptly granted. Yudhishthira’s pride in his own dicing skill made him accept this decision even though he did have doubts about Shakuni’s fair play. Shakuni, using his silkily persuasive words, also managed to get Yudhishthira to agree upon playing with the block of dice specially prepared by him for the game. Thus Shakuni effortlessly succeeded in making Yudhishthira fall in his clever trap.
Right from the first round itself Yudhishthira started losing his stakes. As the game progressed, Shakuni would deliberately lose an odd round to keep Yudhishthira interested and engaged. Initially Karna was not comfortable at the turn of events, as this was not the way he would deal with his enemies. He would have preferred an open combat. But the electrified atmosphere in the Kaurava assembly hall soon possessed him also and he became an active participant in the questionable proceedings. Gradually Yudhishthira lost his entire wealth including his kingdom. Left with nothing more to stake, and in a gambler’s bid to win back his kingdom and wealth, Yudhishthira started putting his own brothers at stake and one by one he lost all of them. Then he staked himself as well and lost the bet. Shakuni did not stop at that and goaded Yudhishthira further to have Draupadi put at stake against winning back everything he had lost thus far. Yudhishthira agreed and to his ultimate distress lost her also. A messenger was sent to bring her to the hall but she refused to come.
Duryodhana, now thoroughly inebriated by this easily obtained victory over the Pandavas, ordered his younger brother Duhshasana to bring Draupadi into the hall since she was now a slave. On her refusal to come Duhshasana caught Draupadi by her hair and dragged her in front of everyone. Draupadi, having learnt that Yudhishthira had lost her after having lost himself in the game of dice, addressed everyone present to clarify whether Yudhishthira had the right to put her at stake after having actually lost himself.
Nobody except Vikarna (one of Duryodhana’s younger brothers) stood up to respond to Draupadi’s query. Vikarna declared that in his view, having lost himself earlier, Yudhishthira did not have any right to put Draupadi at stake. At this Karna got up and rebuked Vikarna by saying that he was speaking as an immature person when all the learned elders present in the hall were silent, since they knew that Yudhishthira had staked his every possession and Draupadi was part of whatever he possessed. Any keen observer could have seen lack of conviction in Karna’s words, which stemmed from his desire to take revenge for his humiliation during Draupadi’s Svayamvara. Karna, in the surcharged atmosphere of the dice hall, had actually lost his sense of right and wrong. He even went further on to say that according to the laws of dharma a woman can have only one husband, and one who has many husbands was like a prostitute; hence there was nothing wrong in bringing a prostitute in front of everyone.
Duryodhana agreed with Karna and ordered Duhshasana to remove Draupadi’s Sari. Draupadi made fervent appeal to Bhishma and the other Kaurava elders, but in response she got nothing except deafening silence. While Duhshasana started following the instructions of his elder brother, Draupadi, in desperation, invoked Shri Krishna and sought his protection. Soon by the grace of Shri Krishna, even though Duhshasana was swiftly removing Draupadi’s clothes they started getting longer and despite Duhshasana’s best efforts, he could not disrobe Draupadi and finally fell exhausted at her feet. Looking at this abominably vulgar act of the Kauravas, Bhimasena became so infuriated that he took a vow in front of everyone present to rip open the chest of Duhshasana in the battlefield and drink his blood. He also vowed to break Duryodhana’s thighs and leave him to die on the battle ground.
Realising the gravity of the situation, Vidura urged King Dhritarashtra to put an end to the ongoing insanity and prevent any further sinful actions. Dhritarashtra, also realising the damage caused by the shameful actions of his sons, consoled Draupadi and told her to ask for any number of wishes which he would grant without any hesitation. Draupadi only asked for her own freedom and the freedom of her husbands, which was granted immediately by Dhritarashtra. He also, being happy with her conduct, returned the wealth and kingdom of Yudhishthira. The humiliated Pandavas then departed for Indraprastha.
Duryodhana and his associates were crestfallen at this turn of events. They could not believe that everything Duryodhana had won, including the Pandavas themselves, was restored to them so easily. After a hurried conclave, it was decided to make a fresh attempt with a new strategy to influence Dhritarashtra. Accordingly Duryodhana along with Karna and Shakuni approached Dhritarashtra and started remonstrating about the grave error of judgement involved in letting Pandavas get back their freedom and the kingdom. He explained to Dhritarashtra that since the Pandavas were deeply hurt, they would soon amass a huge army and attack the Kauravas who would find it difficult to save themselves and would surely get annihilated at the hands of their wronged cousins. He therefore urged his father to again have one last game of dice conducted, the loser of which would proceed to forest-bound exile for twelve years, followed by one year of living incognito. In case the loser got recognised during the last year, the whole cycle of exile would hav
e to be repeated. Duryodhana argued that this would provide enough time to the Kauravas to strike alliances and prepare themselves for the inevitable war with the Pandavas. Dhritarashtra again could not overcome his weakness of emotional bias for his eldest son and agreed despite strong protests by Bhishma, Dronacharya, Kripacharya and Vidura. Yudhishthira was therefore again coaxed into playing the game with the above conditions, the outcome of which was a foregone conclusion. There was no escape for the Pandavas this time and they had to proceed into exile in terms of the harsh agreement under which the last game of dice was played. In view of her age, Kunti stayed back with Vidura. The remaining members of the Pandava household, including their sons and wives, went to stay in Dvaraka for the period of exile.
Chapter-10
Arjuna Seeks Divine Weapons
Having succeeded in achieving their objective of banishing the Pandavas for thirteen years from Hastinapura, the Kauravas felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from their minds. This relief translated into celebrations for Duryodhana, Shakuni, Karna and Duhshasana, which continued for a long time after the event. On the other hand Vidura, Bhishma and Drona felt depressed and repentant for having failed to change the course of events which had taken place before their very eyes. Whenever they got an opportunity to interact with King Dhritarashtra, each one of them would remind him of the grave consequences of the injustice meted out to the Pandavas.
After a few weeks, things settled down to normal. Nobody in the Kaurava court, including his friends, failed to notice the complete transformation Karna had undergone since he had started hobnobbing with evil. He progressively became more virulent towards the Pandavas and during the game of dice had even called Draupadi a prostitute on account of her marriage to five brothers. One day Duhshasana asked Duryodhana, “Brother, Mamaji’s brilliant skills at the game of dice ensured our victory; but how are we going to keep the Pandavas at bay after they complete their exile?” Duryodhana replied, “My dear, perhaps you have not understood the terms of the exile very well. The Pandavas will have to repeat the exile for 13 years in case they are recognised during the last year. In order to make that repetition happen, Karna and I have devised a plan. We will always keep track of the movement of Pandavas through my trusted spies. Wherever they go, my spies will track them. That way it would not be possible for them to hide. I will ensure that the Pandavas are never able to return.” “This indeed is brilliant. Mamaji has really achieved a great victory for us. Poor Pandavas, they now are destined to spend the rest of their lives in forests,” said Duhshasana and everybody had a hearty laugh.
One day while passing by the chamber of Dhritarashtra, Shakuni overhead him speaking to Gandhari: “My dear, ever since the Pandavas were sent to exile, I am being reminded about the great wrong done to them by Vidura almost on a daily basis. I myself feel that grave injustice has been committed against the Pandavas. Vidura keeps insisting that I should own responsibility for the action of my sons and put an end to the trouble the Pandavas are going through. I am contemplating bringing them back from the forest and restoring them to their rightful place. However, I am not able to bring myself to do that, thinking about Duryodhana. What do you say?” On hearing these words, Shakuni was so scared that he did not wait to overhear the response of his sister Gandhari. How could he allow his carefully laid out plans to be reduced to shambles in this manner?
He rushed to Duryodhana’s palace and updated him on the new development. Duryodhana reacted by immediately rushing towards his father’s chamber, but Shakuni caught hold of his arm and said: “Son, don’t rush into anything. Maharaj has not yet reached a final decision in the matter. He is only contemplating taking some action which, like in the past, he will never do without your consent. After all, he is blind in his love for you. Let us discuss this issue at length with our friends, particularly Karna, and then plan our further course of action.”
That evening when Duryodhana and Shakuni sat together with Karna and Duhshasana, the matter was broached by Duryodhana. After narrating the whole incident as witnessed by Shakuni, Duryodhana turned towards Karna and asked: “Friend, what is your opinion about this? How do you think we should act before Kaka Vidura is able to persuade the Maharaj to bring back the Pandavas? How do we prevent that disaster?” Karna replied with some sarcasm, with a curious glance towards Shakuni, “Why are you worried my friend? Even if the Pandavas are brought back, Mamaji here can trick them into another game of dice and send them on their way out once again.” Everybody knew that Karna was not in favour of the game in the first place and understood the scorn implicit in his comment. Duryodhana and Shakuni became angry at this and their faces turned red. Observing their reaction, Karna quickly added, “I do realise that the possibility of Pandavas returning will ruin our efforts. I can think of only one way to handle this.” “What is it?” asked a curious Duhshasana.
“The Pandavas are staying in a forest under harsh conditions and at the mercy of the elements of nature. They are weak and in a vulnerable position. In my opinion it is best to strike the enemy when he is weak. I suggest we attack the Pandavas and finish them off. This will solve our problem once and for all,” concluded Karna. Everybody agreed to this suggestion.
The next morning, Duryodhana, Karna, Duhshasana and Shakuni mounted their respective chariots and proceeded towards the forest where the Pandavas were staying. They carried large quantities of weaponry with them, intended for use against the hapless Pandavas. As soon as they reached the outskirts of Hastinapura, Maharishi Vyasa appeared on the scene and stopped them from proceeding further. The Maharishi had come to know about this through his yogic powers and decided to intervene. He made all of them turn back and return to Hastinapura. Maharishi Vyasa also informed king Dhritarashtra and told him to rein in his son and stop him from taking any such action which would be fraught with disastrous consequences for everyone. The matter ended there.
Meanwhile the Pandavas lived in the forest in the company of Brahmins and Rishis. There Yudhishthira and the others spent most of their time in discussions relating to scriptures with the learned Brahmins. They would sustain themselves on fruits and berries collected from the forest. However, Yudhishthira soon found it difficult to arrange enough food to feed his brothers and the continuous stream of visitors, some of whom would often stay with them for weeks together. He became worried on this count and approached his priest, Dhaumya, who was also accompanying the Pandavas in their exile. Dhaumya advised Yudhishthira to invoke Surya and gave him a powerful mantra to that end. Yudhishthira immediately started reciting the mantra and offered his prayers to Surya. In due course the solar deity, in his full glory, appeared in front of Yudhishthira. He gave a special copper vessel to Yudhishthira with the instruction that the vessel would produce unlimited quantity of food every day, but only until the time that Draupadi had eaten. Thus the worry of having to arrange food on daily basis ended. As per the condition specified by Surya, Draupadi would eat only after everyone else present had taken their meals.
This information was also relayed to Duryodhana by his spies. Duryodhana passed on the same to Shakuni, who took a mental note and said, “Son, we may find this useful sometime in future”.
While Yudhishthira would keep himself busy in the company of Brahmins and Rishis, discussing about scriptures and conducting various rites, Bhima would often reflect upon the incidents in Hastinapura and feel restless. His anxiety to seek speedy revenge against the Kauravas was also fanned by Draupadi, who would constantly remind him about the need to deliver punitive justice to the Kauravas for the wrongs done to her by Duryodhana, Karna and Duhshasana.
One day when Yudhishthira was sitting alone, Bhima approached him and said, “Brother, why do we have to stay in the forest for so long? Why can’t we seek our revenge immediately? I cannot wait for so long and my body is itching to confront the evil Duryodhana and finish him off in direct fight.” Yudhishthira replied, “I understand your anxiety. Panchali and Arjuna have also been urging me on similar li
nes. I can fully understand the feelings of Panchali. But we have to be patient in these matters. Moreover we are bound by the terms of agreement associated with the last game of dice I played. We cannot resort to adharma for redressal of our grievances.”
He continued, “My dear brother, the Kaurava army is huge and strong. Duryodhana is taking good care of his army and keeping his soldiers in good spirits. They are ready to die for his sake. Besides, the Kaurava army is led by heroes like Pitamaha Bhishma, Guru Dronacharya and Guru Kripacharya, whom even Indra himself cannot defeat. Even though all of them treat the Kauravas and us equally, they will not hesitate to fight on behalf of Duryodhana as they owe their allegiance to the throne of Hastinapura. I also believe that Pitamaha and the gurus will fight under the condition that they would leave five of us unharmed. However, one person who worries me the most is Karna. Having seen his prowess in the arena, I am convinced that he is as great an archer as is Arjuna, if not even greater. He has also acquired the knowledge of divine weapons, including even the Brahma Astra from Parashurama. Karna is invincible in a battle as long as he has the impenetrable armour and the talismanic earrings on his body. He holds personal enmity against Arjuna, which is continuously fanned by Duryodhana. He is very loyal to his friend and will not hesitate to kill all of us for his sake which he is quite capable of doing. I must tell you that these thoughts always haunt me and occasionally disturb my sleep as well. I am really worried about Arjuna in particular and all of us in general on account of Karna. I do not think we have the capability and resources to face the Kaurava army in the current situation.”
