TRIGUN

DYUT KRIDA

It is a very strange situation, Mahamahim Bhism, Guru Dronacharya, Kul-guru Kripacharya and Mahamantri Vidur are all fully aware of the result of Dyut Sabha that was about to take place and yet they remain quiet.

It is as if the noble ones are unable to speak. Bhism is bound by his oath, while Vidur, Dronacharya and Kripacharya are under Dhritrashtra's obligation. All are silenced by their own constraints.

Everyone here are the mute witnesses to the arrival of great Pandavas who came here expecting to play a friendly game of dice.

Duryodhan along with Karn and Shakuni sits on one side and opposite to them the Pandavas take their seat.

"Let's decide the rules now." Shakuni said.

"What rules Mamashree ? It is a friendly game of dice only." Yudhishthir said.

"A game is a game Bhratashree, rules should be there so afterwards there is no bickering from the either side." Duryodhan said.

"Dear Anuj, if that's the case then there are no specific rules from my side. But if you have a rule then do tell." Yudhishthir said.

"All I have to say is that the stakes will be mine but will be Mamashree Shakuni who will play from my side." Duryodhan said.

Vidur looked at Bhism while Dron looked at Kripacharya. They knew that an inexperienced player like Yudhishthir cannot win against Shakuni.

"Bhrata Duryodhan, if you cannot even roll the dice then why did you challenge Jyesht Bhrata to come and play ?" Arjun asked.

"Is Samrat of Bharatvarsh, afraid of playing against Gandhar-raj ?" Karn asked.

"It is not the question of being afraid, Angraj. The point is that war or a game of dice, cannot be played by proxy." Arjun said.

"Arjun is right." Vidur said.

"For you always Arjun is right ! I have just put forward one condition that Mamashree will play on my behalf and if this is unacceptable then I shall leave !" Duryodhan said standing up.

"Duryodhan wait !" Yudhishthir stopped him.

A smirk appeared on his face knowing that Yudhishthir will not disappoint his younger brother no matter what.

"Anuj, if you want Mamashree to play on your behalf then it shall be like that. Now sit down." Yudhishthir said.

Bhism, Vidur, Dronacharya and Kripacharya sighed. Yet they didn't spoke a word for they were tied with their own contraints.

Duryodhan once again sat down and the game of dice began. It started from jewelleries, the kauravas won and Pandavas lost. Then money was staked, the Pandavas lost again. The chariots were staked, the Kauravas won again.

Maids and Servants were staked, elephants with gold seats were staked, billions and trillions of limitless wealth were staked, the lands were staked, Indraprasth was staked, one by one the Pandavas lost everything.

"Yudhishthir, now what will you stake ?" Shakuni asked with a sly smiled.

"I have nothing to stake. Not even a coin is there in my possession now." Yudhishthir said.

"Stake me Jyesht !" Nakul chimed in.

"Nice idea. Yudhishthir play ! You still have a chance to win." Shakuni said.

"No ! Stop this game now Maharaj ! For god's sake stop this game !" Bhism requested.

"Mahamahim, let Yudhishthir also get a chance to win." Shakuni said.

"I....I stake...my brother Nakul." Yudhishthir said.

And thus Nakul was staked, Sehdev was staked, Arjun was staked and Bheem was staked. Yudhishthir lost again and his brothers now became the slaves of Kauravas.

"I stake myself now !" Yudhishthir proclaimed.

But as expected, Duryodhan won again and now Yudhishthir himself became their slave. The elders saw this terrible act, but no one dared to question it.

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A/N

ACCORDING TO AUTHENTIC TEXTS YUDHISHTHIR WAS NOT A GAMBLER -

Draupadi didn't yield. "Yudhishthira is not an experienced player. He doesn't know this game well. Whereas, the opponents are experts in the game and deceit. Knowing this, how was this game even allowed? Why was Yudhishthira enticed into gambling?

Yudhishthira is naive about these things. He was duped into playing the game and then into staking himself as well as me. Taking all this into consideration, please do give my original question careful thought," she pleaded.

From Mahabharat Unravelled by Ami Ganatra.

YUDHISHTHIR DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME PROPERLY ! HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A FRIENDLY GAME BETWEEN FAMILY.