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| The Game of Dice |
When Duryodhana heard this, he commanded his brother Dushahsana to bring Draupadi before the gathering. Dushahsana did not hesitate. He went to Draupadi's apartment, calling out to her, mocked at her and followed her into the inner chambers to where she had fled from him. Grabbing her by her long hair, he dragged her out of the quarters, down the steps and through the dust onto his chariot. And he brought her thus into the hall before Duryodhana and forced her to her knees before him.
But the proud princess rose up and standing before the assembly, declared that she was no slave, for Yudhishthira had lost his freedom before he had pledged her. And in a clear, ringing voice, she reproached them for condoning the wrongs.
But Duryodhana's pride and wickedness had gone beyond all bounds. In his madness, he even ordered that Draupadi be disrobed. He thought that this would be the best way to disgrace the proud queen and humiliate her.
A commotion broke out in the assembly and the elders begged Duryodhana to desist. Even Dhritarashtra added his weak voice to their protests. But Duryodhana's heart seemed to have turned to stone.
Draupadi was terrified when she heard the order. She knew that there was no one in the world who could come to her aid. So she turned to Krishna, the God for help, knowing Him to be man's final refuge.
Lord Krishna came to her rescue and worked a miracle. As Dushahsana stripped her of one garment, another one appeared to cover her. As that was torn away, another came in its place, and so it continued. Dushahsana's swarthy hands grew tired as he pulled. Streams of sweat ran down his face and body. The people were stunned. But Draupadi knew nothing. For she stood rooted to the spot, her eyes closed, her hands clasped, all her thoughts and all her being fixed on God.
Bhima could not control his anger any longer. In utter despair and anguish he vowed, "I shall not rest till I have killed the hateful Dushahsana. Duryodhana shall also perish at my hands. Swear I will break his thighs. May I not attain the blessed abode of my ancestors if I fail in this resolve."
Dhritarashtra now realised that the incidents of the day would lead to total destruction of the Kaurava race. Calling Draupadi to him he tried to soothe her with gentle words.
Then turning to Yudhishthira he said, "Please be generous and forgive the outrage that Duryodhana has committed today. Take back your kingdom and all you have lost and return to Indraprastha in peace." The Pandavas left the hall, bewildered by the unexpected release from calamity.
But it was too good to last. After the Pandavas had left, Duryodhana scolded his father for spoiling all his well-laid plans. Dhritarashtra again dispatched a messenger after Yudhishthira, inviting him to another game of dice with Shakuni. This time the condition laid down was that the loser should go into exile as ascetics for twelve years and live incognito during the thirteenth year. If they were recognized they should go into exile for another twelve years.
Once more, while his brothers looked on in gloomy silence, Yudhishthira played; and once more he lost. And now, in accordance with the terms of their wager, the Pandavas had to go into exile.
The Pandava princes and Draupadi bowed before the elders and walked silently out of the hall, eyes lowered. | |
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