The Second Game of Dice - Part I Manabharat
After the horrendous events at the end of the game of dice, a mortally fearful Dhritarashtra gave three boons to Draupadi. Draupadi used the first two boons to free her husbands and their weapons (sharstra, astra, and chariots). She declined the third. But Dhritarashtra who still feared the worst, restored to Yudhishthir all that he lost in the game. Requesting Yudhishthir to forgive and forget, he asked the Pandavas to return to Indraprastha.
But this caused a great consternation in the evil quartet. They were all dismayed and angry that their best laid plans were all laid to waste. Duhshasan said to Duryodhan, "O Brother, the old king, greatly in fear of Pandavas, returned to them all that we had gained. The Pandavas will be back in their kingdom and we are back where we started!"
They all discussed amongst themselves and all of them, especially Shakuni, were critical of the king for his softness. He had been extremely foolish to show kindness to such powerful enemies especially when they had been so largely insulted, they all said. Unless the situation was corrected immediately, they all faced great danger. Their spies had already reported how the five brothers were proceeding toward Indraprastha. Bheem was whirling his massive mace, Arjun was repeatedly twanging the Gandiva, Nakul and Sahadev were waving their great swords, and Yudhishthir held aloft his spear. It was clear that they were ready to fight.
The only hope was to have another gambling match one with different and more rigid stakes. Shakuni revealed his new plan. Karna did not like the gambling acts but he went along with the plan. On Shakuni's behest, Duryodhan approached his father again. There in front of his father, Duryodhan vented out his bitterness, anger and frustration to his father.
"O Father, we have disturbed a cartel of resting venomous serpents. The Pandavas will never forgive us for the shame and insult we heaped on them. They will never forget that their common wife was dragged to the court in the manner and condition that she was. How can we possibly expect them to tolerate the insult we offered to their wife? A powerful enemy must be destroyed by any means. We have started something which we cannot now stop. Please recall them immediately for another game of dice."
Then Duryodhan explained the follies of not acting in the manner that he was advising. He told his father that Pandavas has extremely powerful allies in the form of Panchals and Yadavs. Krishna was undefeatable. They would gather other powerful allies soon. The recent Rajasuya Yagya had won Yudhishthir many friends and he had immense wealth to his disposal (now that all was returned to him). But if the Pandavas could somehow be sent away, then it would give him time to find allies and build his strength. Using the Pandavas’ vast wealth, he could make his position unassailable.Therefore, Yudhishthir and his brother must be removed from the scene.
He then said that it is now impossible for the Kauravas and Pandavas to live in harmony together.
He revealed his new plan (Shakuni's plan). The Pandavas should be invited to a new game of dice. This time the stakes would be that the loser will have to go to the exile for 13 years. The first 12 years must be spent in forest away from civilization while the 13th year could be spent anywhere but incognito. If in the 13th year, the losers are discovered then they will repeat the exile. Such would be the stakes for this final game.
Dhritarashtra stood silent. His mind was in a turmoil again. He knew that the Pandavas were a real threat. Bheem had sworn to kill his sons and that was no ordinary vows. He agreed that Pandavas must be removed far away from their kingdom. But how could he permit another game? What would the elders such as Bhishm, Drona and Kripa say? What would Vidur say? He also knew that Yudhishthir was virtuous and would hold his brothers in check. Duryodhan was observing all this and knew that his father was hesitating. He continued to implore him.
Finally, the old king, succumbed to the wishes of his son, much against his better judgement. It was almost impossible for him to refuse his son. And if Duryodhan were to win the final match, as seemed likely, then the Kauravas would become the undisputed rulers of the earth. He himself would sit at their head. Even though Yudhishthir was the world’s emperor, if he agreed to the stakes and lost he would certainly feel honour-bound to enter the forest. Considering that everything lay in the hands of fate, the king agreed to Duryodhan’s proposal. He ordered that the Pandavas should be brought back to play one last game in which everything would be settled.
When the other statesmen, counsellors and elders heard this, they opposed vehemently. Even Gandhari advised against the new plan. But Dhritarashtra refused to listen and ignored all appeals like a bitter medicine. He stated that if this was how it was fated to be, then so shall it happen.
"If it is time for the destruction of our race then, what can I do? If it is God’s will, then let it take place without hindrance. How can I influence events ordained by destiny? Let the Pandavas return and again gamble with my sons."
Thus blaming fate and destiny, he sent his messenger to Pandavas with the second invitation.
