THE GAME OF DICE- SECOND ROUND

After Yudhishthir had lost everything in the first dice game,Dhritarashtra gave him back all that he had staked. When the Pandavas were returning to Indraprasth, Dhritarashtra - at Duryodhan's insistence - summoned them once again for another game of dice. Yudhishthir lost this second dice game too.

Yudhisthira bowed to Dhritarashtra and proceeded to Indraprasatha with his brothers, Draupadi and the retinue. After the departure of the Pandavas, Duryodhana conferred with Duhsasana, Karna, Sakuni and Saindhava and met Dhritarashtra and told him, "Dear father, the spectacular success we achieved after meticulous planning has been converted by you into a dismal defeat by your foolish generosity. The erring Pandavas have accepted their defeat. Now all the Pandavas are wounded serpents and you have freed them. Even if Yudhisthira were to be good, Bhima, Arjuna and the twins will try to wreak vengeance on me. They have conquered all the kings in all quarters of the country and it is impossible to vanquish them on the field of battle. I must remind you of the vow pronounced by Bhimasena publicly. What is my fate? Evidently you are prepared to sacrifice your people at the altar of Bhimasena's terrible retribution. This time we have chalked out a modified program. Let us invite Yudhisthira again for the game of dice. This time we will send Pandavas to exile into the forest. If you do not accept my proposal, our annihilation at the hands of the Pandavas is a foregone conclusion."

Dhritarashtra accepted the proposal put forward by Duryodhana and sent Pratikami to fetch Yudhisthira to play a second round of game of dice. Pratikami went to Indraprastha and extended the invitation to Yudhisthira on behalf of Dhritarashtra. After the grim experience of gambling nobody in the Pandava camp expected Dharmaputra to accept the renewed invitation. But he accepted the invitation. Bhima was very unhappy that the Pandava heroes were to live on the bounty of the Kingdom secured by a woman as a boon from the blind king. He did not object to the second round of game of dice though he was originally against the first round of gambling. Arjuna always supported Dharmaputra. His stand was that a Kshatriya could not refuse such an invitation. The most remarkable trait in the character of Dharmaputra was his respect for elders and especially for Dhritarashtra and he always implicitly obeyed the dictates or directions given by Dhritarashtra.

Dharmaputra went to Hastinapura to play the second round of the game of dice taking along with him his brothers, Kunti, Draupadi, Dhaumya and the royal entourage. People who came to know about the second round of the game, so soon after the cataclysmic first round, were surprised and sorrowful. When the game was to start, Sakuni the proxy of Duryodhana said, "It is not proper to play with the old stakes. His Majesty, Dhritarashtra has reprieved them all. Let us device a new bet- the defeated party must live in voluntary exile in the forest for twelve years and then for one year incognito. If discovered the pledge shall be repeated and must again live in exile for twelve more years and then one year incognito." Dahrmaputra accepted the condition and the game was resumed. History repeated itself. Once again Dharmaputra lost the game. Voluntary exile in forest implied observance of Brahmacharya and asceticism and the Pandavas changed their royal robes to those of ascetics and made all the preliminary preparations for their departure to the forest.


The Pandavas took leave of Dhritarashtra, Bhishma, Drona and Vidura and others. Vidura said to Yudhisthira, "Your mother Kunti will stay with me as she cannot be expected to put up with hardships of forest life for so long a period. You are an enlightened personage and your brotherhood is unique. Bhima is an unrivalled hero. Arjuna is an expert archer; Nakula is well versed in economics and Sahadeva is the personification of propriety. Dhaumya is a saint of infinite spiritual wisdom. Princess Panchali is a worthy wife. You are disciplined by Vyasa and protected by Naradha. You have surpassed the sages by your righteous conduct and the celestial by your bravery. The Goddess of wind, the Sun and the Moon and all the divinities will be protecting you. However be cautious, I hope to meet you again." Then Pandavas went to Kunti to take leave of her. She saw them hanging their heads in shame, devoid of all ornaments dressed in the deer skin and jute robes and her sorrow knew no bounds. She said, "I am sorry to see heroes like you as victims of a vicious vice. Madri was fortunate. I ought to have immolated myself emulating her noble example.

Unfortunately I am alive to see all these misery. It is a pity that you are duped in the presence of Gangeya, Drona and Kripa." Draupadi fell at the feet of her mother-in-law. Kunti embraced her and said, "You are fortunate in a way. You are going to the forest to serve your heroic husbands," and offered her blessings. The Pandavas departed to the forest followed by Draupadi and Dhaumya from Hastinapura. There was a great commotion in the capital city. Some people could not control themselves at the sight of the heroic Princes accustomed to ride in royal chariots trodding the pathway as pedestrians wearing the coarse clothing of ascetics. Vidura said to Dhritarashtra, "It is a sight with a beggars description. Everywhere people were cursing your sons for duping the innocent Pandavas. They were criticizing you, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and other courtiers. Dharmaputra covered his face with a piece of white cloth, Bhima walked with raised hands. Arjuna was sprinkling particles of sand on the path. Nakula was covered with dust, Sahadeva proceeded with his head bent down, Draupadi went with unbraided locks of hair. Bhima vowed that he would one day dress the tresses of hair flowing from the head of Draupadi with his hands soaked in the blood of Duhasasana! Arjuna vowed that he would exterminate the Kauravas together with their allies in the war after the fulfillment of the pledge. The twins proclaimed that proper punishment would be meted out to Sakuni the past master in the art of subterfuges. Above all Dhaumya went reciting the pslams of death, cursing the Kauravas.

Dhritarashtra was very much pained to listen to the account narrated by Vidura. He said, "Vidura, I know that this enmity will lead to all round destruction and complete annihilation of the whole population. I am sorry and helpless." Sanjaya whom Dhritarashtra appointed as his confidential counselor and charioteer came to him and said, "Great King, why are you now stricken with remorse; your sons are now the undisputed monarchs of the whole realm. Bhishma and Drona, Kripa and Vidura are rendered inaffective. Vidura intervened and told Dhritarashtra, "You recall the Pandavas, crown Dharamaputra and make him the King of realm. Disinherit your unworthy son Duryodhana. Then you will be unhappy and the whole population will be prosperous." The blind King paid a deaf ear to Vidura. After the exit of Pandavas, Duryodhana conferred with his brothers, Sakuni and Karna about the situation. They could visualize ultimate Kuru- Pandava conflict as inevitable. Bhishma inspite of his affection for the Pandavas was not expected to go publicly into the opposite camp as he was bound by ties of loyality to Dhritarashtra while he was alive. The enmity between Drupada and Drona was a factor in favour of the Kauravas and he also was not expected to switch over to the Pandava camp. Anyway they decided not to take any chances. Duryodhana approached Drona and requested, "Great Acharya, I know your attachment to King Dhritarashtra and the royal court of Hastinapura. I am also your student. Whatever be the differences with my cousins, the Pandavas, I have the greatest respect for you. I request you to continue to grace the imperial court of Hastinapura with your presence and offer your moral and material support to me."

Drona was pleased with the request of Duryodhana and said, "I am ever grateful to Bhishma and King Dhritarashtra for the courtesy and regard they have always they have shown me. I never met King Pandu at all. However Kauravas and Pandavas are equal to me and I promise to live here at the court of Hastinapura. But let me not mince words. I like the Pandavas ; in fact I love them and I love you. I want you to make peace with them. I may not like Druapada with whom the Pandavas are allied. That is a different matter. I know from experience how pangs of revenge seek retribution. Before nemesis overtakes you in the fourteenth year, I fee that you must make proper amends for your past mistake and seek the hand of friendship from Dharamaputra. It is simply foolish on your part to depend upon Sakuni or Karna. I am glad I have got this opportunity to unburden my heart. Bhishma may be on your side; I may be on your side. Please remember justice is on their side and God is on their side." Duryodhana was satisfied that Drona promised to be on his side and ignored his advice as irrelevant.