Shakuni's Move

“Victory to King Yudhishthira, ruler of Indraprastha.”

The city-guard spoke with honor as the sons of Pandu arrived.

“You had no trouble on the way, I hope?”

“No, City-guard, we had no trouble,” came the reply. “We are all well. We are very happy to have come to Hastinapur.”

“Come, Maharaj. Great Bhishma, Guru Dronacharya, Kulaguru Kripacharya, and Maharaj Dhritarashtra are eagerly waiting for you.”

Yudhishthira at once went forward and bowed.

“Salutations, Grandfather. Salutations, Gurudev. Salutations, Kulaguru.”

Bhishma and the elders blessed him warmly.

“Live long, son. Be the protector of dharma. May no adharma ever happen through you.”

Then Yudhishthira bowed before Dhritarashtra.

“Salutations, elder father.”

Dhritarashtra stretched out his hands with deep feeling.

“Come, son, come. I have been waiting so long to see you. See you! How can a blind man see again! Come, son, come near me. Let me, let me touch you once. In that touch is my joy.”

Then Dhritarashtra called out, “Son Vidura.”

“Command me, Maharaj,” Vidura answered.

“Take my brother’s sons to the Maharani. Vidura, the Maharani is also very eager to see them.”

“As you command, Maharaj.”

Soon an announcement rang out:

“The ruler of Indraprastha, the mighty son of Dharma, Emperor Maharaja Yudhishthira is coming.”

Yudhishthira bowed before Gandhari.

“Elder mother, please accept the salutations of your servant Yudhishthira.”

Gandhari blessed him with affection.

“Son Yudhishthira, after so long you have come to your elder mother! Son, I have heard of all your fame, glory, and honor. I have felt endless joy. May you be victorious in all things, son.”

After bowing to Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, the five Pandavas, along with Draupadi, entered the jeweled palace of Hastinapur. There, Dhritarashtra’s daughter Dushala and the wives of the Kaurava princes were waiting.

But they were not especially pleased at the sight of Draupadi, the queen of Indraprastha.

From her dress and ornaments, a bright shine seemed to fall all around. Wrapped in many fine coverings, Draupadi still outshone the Kaurava brides in beauty. Beside Draupadi’s beauty, presence, expression, and grace, they felt very dull themselves.

Yet this pain in the hearts of the Kaurava brides did not appear in their words or behavior. They all busied themselves in praising Draupadi.

That night, the five Pandavas and Draupadi stayed in that jeweled palace. There was no lack of fine seats, clothes, or care.

The next morning, hearing the songs of praise sung by the court singers, the Pandavas rose from sleep. They finished their bath and morning duties and entered the new hall.

After bowing to the kings and royal teachers, and greeting those of their own age, the five Pandavas came and sat on gold-decorated seats.

When Yudhishthira had taken his seat, Shakuni greeted him and said, “Child Yudhishthira, may good come to you. Look, this hall is completely full. Everyone is eagerly waiting for you. So why delay any longer? Let the dice be thrown and let the game begin. What do you say, Dharmaraj?”

Yudhishthira answered firmly, “King of Gandhara, the game of dice is the game of low men. There is no virtue in this game, and there is no kshatriya bravery here. Then why are you proposing such a sinful game? No noble society has ever praised this game. Uncle Shakuni, I know that in this unrighteous game you want to defeat us unfairly.”

Shakuni smiled and replied, “What are you saying, son! Like other games, dice too is only a game. The one who is skilled in it can understand the opponent’s throw beforehand. The one who is clever in throwing the dice finds the game truly very easy. In any game, the other side may be your rival, son. And a rival naturally tries to defeat the other by trick, force, and skill. Then why blame only dice? What kind of judgment is this, Dharmaputra?”

Yudhishthira said, “You have spoken truly, Uncle Shakuni. The one who is skilled in dice finds every trick very easy. So there is a chance of victory on your side in this game. Still, do not worry. Since Maharaj Dhritarashtra has invited me, I will play dice. But hear this well: for kshatriyas, fighting in battle is far more righteous than playing dice. I do not want to gain wealth through deceit.”

Shakuni answered in a smooth voice, “Oh wise Yudhishthira, you know so much, and yet do you not know this? Even when a Brahmin learned in the Vedas goes to defeat another Brahmin in debate, there too trickery remains. Where is trickery not found, Yudhishthira? Is there no trickery in war between kshatriyas? Is there no cunning in ruling a kingdom? You blame only the game of dice, son. Since you have been speaking of honesty again and again since you arrived, I must think you are afraid. No, son, I do not want to force you in any way. If you do not wish to play, then let it be. You need not play dice.”

At this, Yudhishthira straightened himself and said, “No, Uncle Shakuni. If anyone challenges me to war or to a game of dice, I do not turn him away. This is the vow of my life. I told you before, and I say it again, I have no doubt about my play. I want to play. But I cannot begin the game without clearly knowing one matter.”

“Speak, Dharmaraj, what do you wish to know?”

“Who is my opponent in this game, and who will place the stake? Only after hearing a clear answer on this matter will I begin to play.”

Then Duryodhana said, “Maharaj Yudhishthira, in this game I will provide all wealth and jewels as the stake, and my uncle Shakuni will play with you.”

Yudhishthira frowned.

“How can one man play on behalf of another? This is not proper custom, Duryodhana. No, no, this way is not right. You yourself take the dice in hand. I wish to play openly.”

At once, a fierce argument began in that hall about the right and wrong of the dice game. Yudhishthira kept giving one reason after another about what was lawful and what was against the scriptures. But before the opposing arguments of Shakuni and Duryodhana, the force of Yudhishthira’s words seemed to grow dim.

Just then the joined voices of the gatekeepers were heard.

“Victory to Maharaj Dhritarashtra, victory to great Bhishma, victory to Guru Dronacharya.”

Now, with Maharaj Dhritarashtra in front, Bhishma, Drona, and Kripacharya entered the hall. With them came the chief minister Vidura.

But while Dhritarashtra’s face was bright, Bhishma and the others looked deeply troubled. The Pandavas clearly saw that they did not approve of this arrangement for the dice game and had not given it their good wishes.

Arjuna felt a quiet fear touch his heart.

If Grandfather does not want this, then is there no fear of danger in this hall?

Though Arjuna was a great hero, this fear touched even him. But he had endless faith in Yudhishthira, and he was very aware of his own limits. Besides, all five Pandavas, including Yudhishthira, had deep respect for fate. So Arjuna gave no importance to his own fear. He sat quietly with a calm mind.

After Dhritarashtra came and took his seat in the hall, the empty seats there were filled one by one. Then the blind king said kindly, “Son Yudhishthira, everyone is waiting for you. Go, son, and sit near that great dice board placed in the middle. Brother Shakuni and Prince Duryodhana should also go and sit in the middle. Keep friendship among yourselves, son. Now let the dice game begin.”

A huge dice board had been spread in the middle of the hall. On both sides were costly seats. On those seats, facing each other, sat Yudhishthira and Shakuni. Right beside Shakuni sat Duryodhana. In great excitement, Dushasana sat on the seat beside Duryodhana.

Seeing these three wicked men together—Shakuni, Duryodhana, and Dushasana—Bhishma sighed in his heart. He had bound himself to the duty of protecting the royal throne, so he could not go against the king’s will.

Dronacharya too was bound. He could not turn away from his only son Ashwatthama. Like Dhritarashtra, he also was tied by love for his son. Guru Drona knew that Ashwatthama was Duryodhana’s close friend. In that hall, among the kings and princes gathered to support Duryodhana, Ashwatthama sat proudly in the very front. Looking sadly at his son, Guru Drona sat with his head bent low.

Right beside him sat Kulaguru Kripacharya. From birth he too was indebted to Hastinapur and had been raised by Hastinapur. So it was not possible for him either to oppose Maharaj Dhritarashtra and Prince Duryodhana. He also sat with his head bowed.

Vidura looked one by one at all these helpless faces. He was the chief minister of Hastinapur, and he too had been raised by the royal house. Even so, he owed nothing to anyone except truth, justice, and right conduct. It was true that he was loyal to the throne, but this loyalty was not his weakness, it was his duty. So Vidura kept his eyes fixed ahead. Perhaps he was looking toward an uncertain future.

Then Dhritarashtra’s voice was heard again.

“What happened, has the game begun? Vidura, tell me everything in full first.”

“Yes, Maharaj. Yudhishthira and Duryodhana are now preparing to declare their stakes.”

Dhritarashtra said, “Prince Duryodhana.”

Duryodhana lifted up a shining jewel and declared, “Do you see this most precious jewel of mine? This jewel is no ordinary jewel. It was born from the mouth of the ocean current. This jewel, the brightest in my necklace, is my stake. Now you tell us of your stake, Maharaj Yudhishthira.”

Yudhishthira replied, “Compared to that jewel of yours, my stake may be very small in value. Still, I say this: I place many treasures and many gems as my stake. Do not think this stake of mine is worthless, Maharaj.”

Shakuni said, “Win this stake of mine.”

But Dhritarashtra said, “No, son Duryodhana, tell me exactly what throw you want.”

“Uncle, bring me a six.”

Shakuni threw the dice and cried out, “Very well, child Yudhishthira. Look, here is my six. I will win. Here, here is the six.”

Then he announced, “Duryodhana, Dharmaraj’s jewel is yours now.”

Duryodhana laughed. “Truly! King of Indraprastha, your precious ornament will now shine on my neck.”

Dushasana added eagerly, “It suits only your neck, Prince.”

Yudhishthira’s face darkened.

“This is your, your unfairness, Uncle Shakuni. There was trickery in your throw, I know it. But since I began the game under agreed conditions, I will keep to those conditions. Even if you take away my stake unfairly, I will still go on playing with stakes. Tell me, Maharaj, what is your stake now?”

Yudhishthira said, “In my treasury there are several vessels full of endless gold. I have treasure stores filled with riches and gold. All that wealth and treasure, I, I place as my stake.”

Shakuni asked, “Have you thought well before speaking of your stake, Dharmaputra?”

“What I say, I say truthfully. I never use trickery.”

Duryodhana said at once, “Throw the dice, Uncle.”

Shakuni cast them and said, “Here, Dharmaputra. Look, your endless treasure now comes under Duryodhana’s control. I have won. Tell me, Yudhishthira, what will you stake next?”

Yudhishthira continued, “The chariot that brought us here is envied even by the gods. There is no second chariot like it in this world. The eight horses that carry this chariot are white and swift as the wind. They move so fast that people cannot tell whether the wheels of our chariot touch the ground or not. These horses and this chariot are fit only for Kubera and Lord Indra’s court. I now place that wonderful chariot with its horses as my stake.”

Duryodhana leaned forward greedily. “Uncle, I want this chariot. Please arrange it quickly for me.”

Shakuni laughed. “Yes, yes, yes, do not be so restless, son. Look, Maharaj Yudhishthira’s wonderful chariot has now come into my control too. Here, here, I have won. Well then, Dharmaputra, that too is gone. What is left now? Speak, speak, speak, speak.”

Yudhishthira said, “I have one thousand young maidservants. They are skilled in song, dance, and the sixty-four arts. Their hair is like dark clouds, and their beauty is like moonlight. Their bodies are anointed with sandal paste, and they wear costly ornaments. They are skilled in laughter, conversation, and pleasing others. By my command they serve the Veda-knowing Brahmins, ministers, and royal guests of Indraprastha. I now place those thousand maidservants as my stake.”

Shakuni turned to Duryodhana. “Good, such maidservants will be the pride of Hastinapur. What do you say, Duryodhana?”

But Duryodhana said impatiently, “Instead of saying that, bring me a six at once, Uncle. I want those beautiful and graceful maidservants.”

Shakuni threw and smiled. “Here, son, take your maidservants. Now what stake will you place, Yudhishthira? You still have much wealth and many things left. Surely play without worry, Dharmaputra.”

Yudhishthira said, “In Indraprastha there are one hundred thousand servants. They are young in age and very gentle in nature. All of them are specially skilled in work. Wearing fine cloth and warm garments, day and night they serve food to guests with vessels in their hands. I place that specially skilled group of servants as my stake.”

Shakuni replied at once, “After your maidservants, now I have won your male servants too, Dharmaputra. That is no great matter. Tell me your next stake. What more do you want to give, Yudhishthira?”

Yudhishthira said, “I place one thousand intoxicated elephants as my stake. Their binding ropes are of gold, they wear golden garlands on their necks, and there are lotus marks on their temples. Their tusks are like plow-handles. No weapon can truly injure that great elephant force. In battle they bear blows better than all others. For any king, such elephants are a great treasure. I place that elephant force as my stake.”

Duryodhana said eagerly, “Uncle, I want this elephant force. They will be the pride of Hastinapur.”

Shakuni answered, “Here, son, I have brought you the elephant force. Here, I have won, son Dharmaputra. Now tell me, what else is in your treasury? What stake will you place now, Yudhishthira?”

Yudhishthira said, “I place one thousand chariots as my stake. They bear golden banners, well-trained horses, and skilled charioteers. They carry expert warriors. Whether there is war or not, the charioteers receive one thousand coins a month as wages. Those chariots are my pride.”

“Good, good,” said Shakuni. “Those chariots will now be the pride of Hastinapur, Dharmaputra. Look, I have won them too. Is there anything left for you to stake now, Dharmaputra?”

Yudhishthira answered, “The wealth of Indraprastha is not so little that it would end already. Come, I still have many things left to stake. I have four hundred jars filled with jewels and gold coins. Each one is as large as five great vessels. I now place those four hundred jars as my stake.”

Shakuni declared, “Duryodhana, here, son, the jewels of those four hundred jars of Dharmaputra are now yours. I have won. Do you still wish to play, Yudhishthira?”

At that moment Vidura could bear no more.

“It is enough, Maharaj. Let this destruction stop now. I am your chief minister. Please hear my words once, Maharaj.”

Then he continued, “Yes, yes, I know, I know. Just as a sick man does not like medicine, perhaps my words too may not please you. But I am helpless, Maharaj. I must speak the truth. Do you remember, at the time of this Duryodhana’s birth, he cried like a jackal? This sinful one will be the cause of the destruction of the Kuru line, Maharaj. He will destroy everything. None of us will escape that destruction. Blinded by love for your son, you understand all this and yet choose not to understand, Maharaj. In the joy of making enemies of the Pandavas, Duryodhana cannot see his own fall. Explain it to him, Maharaj, explain it to him.”

Dhritarashtra answered, “Chief minister Vidura, you too were born in the Kuru line. Do you feel no shame in insulting one of your own line?”

Vidura said, “Even now you speak of the family, Maharaj? Even now, after this, do you still think your line will remain? Do you not remember the example of the Yadavas, Maharaj? Kamsa was of the Bhoja line, yet they cast him out from their own family. By the order of the Andhakas, Yadavas, and Bhojas, Krishna killed that Kamsa. After Kamsa’s death, the whole Yadava clan lived together in joy for a long time. Maharaj, let the same happen now in this Kuru line. Order Arjuna to kill Duryodhana, Maharaj, order Arjuna. After this sinful one is killed, no danger will remain for the Kuru line, Maharaj, no danger will remain.”

Dhritarashtra cried out, “What are you saying, Vidura!”

Vidura did not step back.

“I am speaking rightly, Maharaj. Duryodhana is a crow, and the Pandavas are peacocks. Buy the peacocks at the price of a crow, Maharaj. That would be the proper thing. Do not grieve uselessly over that jackal, Maharaj, do not grieve uselessly. Do you know what the scriptures say? For the sake of saving a family, one person may be abandoned. For the sake of saving a village, a whole family may be abandoned. And for the sake of saving a country, a village may be abandoned. Save your family, Maharaj, save your family. If you can cast aside that one man, your family will be safe from every side.”

Duryodhana burst out in anger.

“Chief minister Vidura, your boldness is no small thing. Do you know I could have your head cut off this very moment?”

But Shakuni quickly stopped him.

“Son Duryodhana, sit quietly, son. When two elders are speaking, it does not look proper for the younger ones to speak in between. Do not forget, child, that the Maharaj is your father. Why are you so restless? And chief minister Vidura is your own elder uncle. Shame, son, is this how you speak to him?”

Duryodhana said furiously, “What are you saying, Uncle! Did you not hear with your own ears? That Vidura is telling them to kill me! Just think how much courage that takes. I am the prince of Hastinapur, and yet to me—”

Shakuni soothed him like poison wrapped in honey.

“Son, I see you never listen at all. In anger people say many things, but do they really go and do them? You have grown so old, and still you do not understand even this much? If you cannot calm yourself a little, how will you rule a kingdom, Duryodhana? Friend Duryodhana, why do you keep forgetting again and again that Karna is sitting right beside you? As long as Karna lives, no one will be able to touch you, friend. Do not be so troubled, Prince.”

Duryodhana replied, “I am not troubled, friend. I am only stunned by the boldness of that foolish chief minister. What is the use of wasting more time in words? Start the game again, Uncle Shakuni.”

Shakuni looked toward another side of the hall and said, “Dear Ashwatthama, it seems Mahatma Vidura still has something more to say. As long as he is standing without leaving his seat, how can I begin the game? There are rules in a dice game, are there not? And when Emperor Maharaj Yudhishthira himself is playing, we cannot treat him lightly.”

Then someone said sharply, “Waste no more time, Vidura. You have already said much. Let the dice game begin again.”

Vidura once more turned toward the king.

“Maharaj, I know you have greed for wealth. We also know that you wish to swallow Yudhishthira’s endless treasury by trick and skill. You had spoken of this many times before as well. And now, caught in the plot of Duryodhana and Shakuni, you are about to do exactly that. I beg you with folded hands, Maharaj, turn away from this sinful act. If you honor the Pandavas, if you treat them with affection, they will pour out their wealth before you, Maharaj. But do not bring war upon us for this greedy Duryodhana alone, Maharaj, do not.”

Dhritarashtra said, “War? From where does the matter of war arise? Do you still think what is happening here is only a game, Maharaj?”

Vidura answered, “Use your own wisdom and judgment, King. Do not make the mistake of crossing the sea in a fool’s boat. I beg you, if Yudhishthira is left ruined by this hateful game, will Hastinapur be able to survive the anger of Arjuna and Bhima, King?”

Dhritarashtra replied, “Your fear is baseless, Vidura. Duryodhana and Shakuni have played dice with stakes. Why should there be any talk of war here?”

Vidura said, “It does arise, Maharaj, it does. Because Shakuni, son of Subala, is not playing by the path of justice and fairness. He is taking shelter in trickery. Like a cheat, Shakuni wants to loot the treasury of Indraprastha. There is no spirit of play here, Maharaj, no spirit of play. Its end can be only one thing, only one thing, and that is war. Descendants of King Shantanu, I tell you with folded hands, a terrible fire has been lit here. Can you not see that fire? Those who have eyes and yet do not use them, those who have minds and yet live in a fool’s heaven—what is surprising if they willingly jump into this pit of fire? We know, Maharaj, how cunning Shakuni of the mountain land truly is. Send Shakuni back to where he came from, Maharaj. Do not start a war with the Pandavas. I beg you, I beg you.”

Then Duryodhana rose in terrible anger.

“Son of a maidservant, Vidura, I know that you always speak against us. Why do you accuse the Maharaj again? Your eyes too are on the property of others. Did you think I do not know who your favorites are? Do you know what it is called when a man criticizes his own kingdom and praises another’s? Bias. That is exactly what you are, you are biased. And you speak of justice? You yourself go on committing one wrong after another, son of a maidservant, Vidura. We have kept you in our lap, and you wish harm to us. You are a traitor. Yes, you are disloyal to the kingdom. You are sinful.”

Vidura answered, “Duryodhana, it is true that you are the prince of Hastinapur, but that does not mean you may cast away all sense of justice and morality.”

Duryodhana replied, “I will not learn justice from you, Vidura. You have begun to think yourself very great. You dare to teach Maharaj Dhritarashtra! You think you are greater in honor than the Maharaj himself, do you not? Stop thinking yourself the master. Do not forget, you are his son, and nothing more than that.”

Vidura said, “Duryodhana, you did not place me in the post of chief minister. Maharaj Dhritarashtra gave me this duty. So as long as I have breath in me, I will keep speaking to the Maharaj of justice. I do not fear you, Duryodhana, I do not fear you.”

Duryodhana answered, “And I do not fear your justice, Vidura. And let no one listen to your commands, son of a maidservant. In this world there is only one true ruler, who can even rule the life inside the womb. I too live under His rule. As He has appointed me, so I flow from a high place like water. I obey no second ruler. If someone tries to rule another by force, he is not called a friend, but an enemy. And you are not only my enemy, you are the friend of my enemies. Such a man should not be given a place in one’s house. I too give you freedom, Vidura. You may go wherever you wish. Leave Hastinapur and go.”

Vidura turned to Dhritarashtra and said bitterly, “Look, Maharaj, look. Look at your Duryodhana. See what return Duryodhana gives you, though you are so proud of your eldest son. He thinks himself a great wise man. Maharaj, there is no lack in this world of people who speak sweetly but inwardly wish you harm. But a man who may speak harsh words openly and yet truly wants your good in his heart—such a man is rare, Maharaj Dhritarashtra. Hear this well: the one who, without fearing the king, holds only dharma to be highest—that one is the true friend. I tell you once more with folded hands, King, request the Pandavas and stop this terrible dice game, Maharaj, stop it.”

But Dhritarashtra replied, “Vidura, I have listened very carefully to all that you said. But I think your fear is truly without cause. So far this dice game has not moved toward any such disaster. So there is no need yet to be so troubled. In this hall, friendship and courtesy are still being maintained. Therefore no cause has yet arisen to stop this game. Let the dice game begin again.”

Shakuni bowed slightly and said, “As you command, Maharaj. Dharmaputra Yudhishthira, by now you have lost much of the Pandavas’ wealth. Do you still have enough treasure left to stake? Do you truly wish to play? Look, Maharaj, we are in no way forcing you to play. You have entered this game entirely by your own will.”

Yudhishthira answered, “Uncle Shakuni, do not fear anything. I still have countless jewels, of which only I know. I will play dice with you by placing those jewels as my stake. Come, throw the dice.”

“Very well,” said Shakuni. “Here I throw the dice. And here I win. Speak, Dharmaputra, what will you give now? Or will you stop here?”

Yudhishthira said, “I place countless bulls, horses, cows, goats, and buffaloes as my stake. Along with them, know that all the treasures lying on the bank of the Varnasha river and on the eastern bank of the Sindhu river are my stake from my side.”

Shakuni at once replied, “Good, I have won that stake of yours too, Maharaja Yudhishthira. Look, here, here is my throw. Speak, speak, what else do you wish to give?”

Yudhishthira said, “My capital, my land, all men other than the Brahmins, and their wealth and property—this wealth remains to me. I now place that wealth as my stake.”

Shakuni smiled darkly. “That means your land, your subjects, your kingdom? Very good. Duryodhana, look, I am winning Indraprastha for you, son. Here, I have won.”

Duryodhana cried out with joy, “Friend!”

“Karna!” he called.

Karna was pleased.

Then Shakuni asked again, “Maharaja Yudhishthira, have you no other wealth left? Has everything already come to an end?”

Yudhishthira replied, “No. The priceless ornaments on the bodies of Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva, all those ornaments are now my stake. I will play with that stake.”

“Good, good, good,” Shakuni said. “If you wish to see your brothers without ornaments, then what can I do? Here, I have won, son Duryodhana. All the ornaments of the four Pandavas are now yours.”

At once Duryodhana ordered, “Dushasana, tear off all their ornaments and bring them to me.”

Dushasana answered eagerly, “Brother, as you command. I am bringing them at once.”

Then Shakuni urged, “Do not stop the game, Yudhishthira. Place something more as stake and see, you may even win.”

Yudhishthira said, “I now place as my stake all my royal ornaments and garments, including my crown.”

Duryodhana’s eyes blazed.

“The crown! Yudhishthira’s royal crown! This must be won. That crown, that crown—I want it, Uncle.”

Shakuni said, “You will get it, you will get it. Why are you so restless, son? Here I throw the dice. Look, Duryodhana, Duryodhana, Yudhishthira’s royal crown is now yours, son.”

Duryodhana at once commanded, “Dushasana, remove that crown from Maharaj Yudhishthira’s head and bring it here.”

“Yes, yes,” Dushasana answered.

And so his crown too was gone.

Then Shakuni leaned forward and asked again, “So what remains now, Yudhishthira? O Emperor Yudhishthira of Indraprastha, speak, speak, speak, speak, what will you give now?”

Except for the cries of joy from the Kaurava princes, that hall had become completely silent.

Bhishma, Drona, and Kripacharya sat with heads bowed. Vidura’s face seemed covered with dark clouds of useless despair. Yudhishthira too sat with his head lowered.

Only on the face and in the eyes of Maharaj Dhritarashtra there seemed to pour out silently the joy of victory in war. Duryodhana and Karna looked at Yudhishthira with deep revenge in their hearts.

Did the eldest Pandava still have anything left to give?

He was completely emptied out.

But no, Yudhishthira had still not risen to leave the hall.

What would he offer next as a stake?

In anxious tension, everyone waited to hear.