The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 2.53: tripañcāśo'dhyāyaḥ

2.53.1

śakuniruvāca |
upastīrṇā sabhā rājanrantuṃ caite kṛtakṣaṇāḥ |
akṣānuptvā devanasya samayo'stu yudhiṣṭhira || 1 ||

Vaisampayana said,--"The sons of Pritha with Yudhishthira at their head, having entered that assembly house, approached all the kings that were present there. And worshipping all those that deserved to be worshipped, and saluting others as each deserved according to age, they seated themselves on seats that were clean and furnished with costly carpets. After they had taken their seats, as also all the kings, Sakuni the son of Suvala addressed Yudhishthira and said, 'O king, the assembly is full. All had been waiting for thee. Let, therefore, the dice be cast and the rules of play be fixed, O Yudhishthira.'

Vaisampayana said,--"The sons of Pritha with Yudhishthira at their head, having entered that assembly house, approached all the kings that were present there. And worshipping all those that deserved to be worshipped, and saluting others as each deserved according to age, they seated themselves on seats that were clean and furnished with costly carpets. After they had taken their seats, as also all the kings, Sakuni the son of Suvala addressed Yudhishthira and said, 'O king, the assembly is full. All had been waiting for thee. Let, therefore, the dice be cast and the rules of play be fixed, O Yudhishthira.'

'Yudhishthira replied, 'Deceitful gambling is sinful. There is no Kshatriya prowess in it. There is certainly no morality in it. Why, then, O king, dost thou praise gambling so? The wise applaud not the pride that gamesters feel in deceitful play. O Sakuni, vanquish us, not like a wretch, by deceitful means.'

Sakuni said,--'That high-souled player who knoweth the secrets of winning and losing, who is skilled in baffling the deceitful arts of his confrere, who is united in all the diverse operations of which gambling consisteth, truly knoweth the play, and he suffereth all in course of it. O son of Pritha, it is the staking at dice, which may be lost or won that may injure us. And it is for that reason that gambling is regarded as a fault. Let us, therefore, O king, begin the play. Fear not. Let the stakes be fixed. Delay not!'

"Yudhishthira said,--'That best of Munis, Devala, the son of Asita, who always instructeth us about all those acts that may lead to heaven, hell, or the other regions, hath said, that it is sinful to play deceitfully with a gamester. To obtain victory in battle without cunning or stratagem is the best sport. Gambling, however, as a sport, is not so. Those that are respectable never use the language of the Mlechchas, nor do they adopt deceitfulness in their behaviour. War carried on without crookedness and cunning, this is the act of men that are honest. Do not, O Sakuni, playing desperately, win of us that wealth with which according to our abilities, we strive to learn how to benefit the Brahmanas. Even enemies should not be vanquished by desperate stakes in deceitful play. I do not desire either happiness or wealth by means of cunning. The conduct of one that is a gamester, even if it be without deceitfulness, should not be applauded.'

"Sakuni said,--'O Yudhishthira, it is from a desire of winning, which is not a very honest motive, that one high-born person approacheth another (in a contest of race superiority). So also it is from a desire of defeating, which is not a very honest motive, that one learned person approacheth another (in a contest of learning). Such motives, however, are scarcely regarded as really dishonest. So also, O Yudhishthira, a person skilled at dice approacheth one that is not so skilled from a desire of vanquishing him. One also who is conversant with the truths of science approacheth another that is not from desire of victory, which is scarcely an honest motive. But (as I have already said) such a motive is not really dishonest. And, O Yudhishthira, so also one that is skilled in weapons approacheth one that is not so skilled; the strong approacheth the weak. This is the practice in every contest. The motive is victory, O Yudhishthira. If, therefore, thou, in approaching me, regardest me to be actuated by motives that are dishonest, if thou art under any fear, desist then from play.'

"Yudhishthira said,--'Summoned, I do not withdraw. This is my established vow. And, O king, Fate is all powerful. We all are under the control of Destiny. With whom in this assembly am I to play? Who is there that can stake equally with me? Let the play begin.'

"Duryodhana said,--'O monarch, I shall supply jewels and gems and every kind of wealth. And it is for me that this Sakuni, my uncle, will play.'

"Yudhishthira said,--'Gambling for one's sake by the agency of another seemeth to me to be contrary to rule. Thou also, O learned one, will admit this. If, however, thou art still bent on it, let the play begin.'"

2.53.2

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
nikṛtirdevanaṃ pāpaṃ na kṣātro'tra parākramaḥ |
na ca nītirdhruvā rājankiṃ tvaṃ dyūtaṃ praśaṃsasi || 2 ||

'Yudhishthira replied, 'Deceitful gambling is sinful. There is no Kshatriya prowess in it. There is certainly no morality in it. Why, then, O king, dost thou praise gambling so? The wise applaud not the pride that gamesters feel in deceitful play. O Sakuni, vanquish us, not like a wretch, by deceitful means.'

2.53.3

na hi mānaṃ praśaṃsanti nikṛtau kitavasya ha |
śakune maiva no jaiṣīramārgeṇa nṛśaṃsavat || 3 ||

2.53.4

śakuniruvāca |
yo'nveti saṃkhyāṃ nikṛtau vidhijñaśceṣṭāsvakhinnaḥ kitavo'kṣajāsu |
mahāmatiryaśca jānāti dyūtaṃ sa vai sarvaṃ sahate prakriyāsu || 4 ||

Sakuni said,--'That high-souled player who knoweth the secrets of winning and losing, who is skilled in baffling the deceitful arts of his confrere, who is united in all the diverse operations of which gambling consisteth, truly knoweth the play, and he suffereth all in course of it. O son of Pritha, it is the staking at dice, which may be lost or won that may injure us. And it is for that reason that gambling is regarded as a fault. Let us, therefore, O king, begin the play. Fear not. Let the stakes be fixed. Delay not!'

2.53.5

akṣaglahaḥ so'bhibhavetparaṃ nastenaiva kālo bhavatīdamāttha |
dīvyāmahe pārthiva mā viśaṅkāṃ kuruṣva pāṇaṃ ca ciraṃ ca mā kṛthāḥ || 5 ||

2.53.6

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
evamāhāyamasito devalo munisattamaḥ |
imāni lokadvārāṇi yo vai saṃcarate sadā || 6 ||

"Yudhishthira said,--'That best of Munis, Devala, the son of Asita, who always instructeth us about all those acts that may lead to heaven, hell, or the other regions, hath said, that it is sinful to play deceitfully with a gamester. To obtain victory in battle without cunning or stratagem is the best sport. Gambling, however, as a sport, is not so. Those that are respectable never use the language of the Mlechchas, nor do they adopt deceitfulness in their behaviour. War carried on without crookedness and cunning, this is the act of men that are honest. Do not, O Sakuni, playing desperately, win of us that wealth with which according to our abilities, we strive to learn how to benefit the Brahmanas. Even enemies should not be vanquished by desperate stakes in deceitful play. I do not desire either happiness or wealth by means of cunning. The conduct of one that is a gamester, even if it be without deceitfulness, should not be applauded.'

2.53.7

idaṃ vai devanaṃ pāpaṃ māyayā kitavaiḥ saha |
dharmeṇa tu jayo yuddhe tatparaṃ sādhu devanam || 7 ||

2.53.8

nāryā mlecchanti bhāṣābhirmāyayā na carantyuta |
ajihmamaśaṭhaṃ yuddhametatsatpuruṣavratam || 8 ||

2.53.9

śaktito brāhmaṇānvandyāñśikṣituṃ prayatāmahe |
tadvai vittaṃ mātidevīrmā jaiṣīḥ śakune param || 9 ||

2.53.10

nāhaṃ nikṛtyā kāmaye sukhānyuta dhanāni vā |
kitavasyāpyanikṛtervṛttametanna pūjyate || 10 ||

2.53.11

śakuniruvāca |
śrotriyo'śrotriyamuta nikṛtyaiva yudhiṣṭhira |
vidvānaviduṣo'bhyeti nāhustāṃ nikṛtiṃ janāḥ || 11 ||

"Sakuni said,--'O Yudhishthira, it is from a desire of winning, which is not a very honest motive, that one high-born person approacheth another (in a contest of race superiority). So also it is from a desire of defeating, which is not a very honest motive, that one learned person approacheth another (in a contest of learning). Such motives, however, are scarcely regarded as really dishonest. So also, O Yudhishthira, a person skilled at dice approacheth one that is not so skilled from a desire of vanquishing him. One also who is conversant with the truths of science approacheth another that is not from desire of victory, which is scarcely an honest motive. But (as I have already said) such a motive is not really dishonest. And, O Yudhishthira, so also one that is skilled in weapons approacheth one that is not so skilled; the strong approacheth the weak. This is the practice in every contest. The motive is victory, O Yudhishthira. If, therefore, thou, in approaching me, regardest me to be actuated by motives that are dishonest, if thou art under any fear, desist then from play.'

2.53.12

evaṃ tvaṃ māmihābhyetya nikṛtiṃ yadi manyase |
devanādvinivartasva yadi te vidyate bhayam || 12 ||

2.53.13

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
āhūto na nivarteyamiti me vratamāhitam |
vidhiśca balavānrājandiṣṭasyāsmi vaśe sthitaḥ || 13 ||

"Yudhishthira said,--'Summoned, I do not withdraw. This is my established vow. And, O king, Fate is all powerful. We all are under the control of Destiny. With whom in this assembly am I to play? Who is there that can stake equally with me? Let the play begin.'

2.53.14

asminsamāgame kena devanaṃ me bhaviṣyati |
pratipāṇaśca ko'nyo'sti tato dyūtaṃ pravartatām || 14 ||

2.53.15

duryodhana uvāca |
ahaṃ dātāsmi ratnānāṃ dhanānāṃ ca viśāṃ pate |
madarthe devitā cāyaṃ śakunirmātulo mama || 15 ||

"Duryodhana said,--'O monarch, I shall supply jewels and gems and every kind of wealth. And it is for me that this Sakuni, my uncle, will play.'

2.53.16

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
anyenānyasya viṣamaṃ devanaṃ pratibhāti me |
etadvidvannupādatsva kāmamevaṃ pravartatām || 16 ||

"Yudhishthira said,--'Gambling for one's sake by the agency of another seemeth to me to be contrary to rule. Thou also, O learned one, will admit this. If, however, thou art still bent on it, let the play begin.'"

2.53.17

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
upohyamāne dyūte tu rājānaḥ sarva eva te |
dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ puraskṛtya viviśustāṃ sabhāṃ tataḥ || 17 ||

Vaisampayana said,--"When the play commenced, all those kings with Dhritarashtra at their head took their seats in that assembly. And, O Bharata, Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and the high-souled Vidura with cheerless hearts sat behind. And those kings with leonine necks and endued with great energy took their seats separately and in pairs upon many elevated seats of beautiful make and colour. And, O king, that mansion looked resplendent with those assembled kings like heaven itself with a conclave of the celestials of great good fortune. And they were all conversant with the Vedas and brave and of resplendent countenances. And, O great king, the friendly match at dice then commenced.

Vaisampayana said,--"When the play commenced, all those kings with Dhritarashtra at their head took their seats in that assembly. And, O Bharata, Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and the high-souled Vidura with cheerless hearts sat behind. And those kings with leonine necks and endued with great energy took their seats separately and in pairs upon many elevated seats of beautiful make and colour. And, O king, that mansion looked resplendent with those assembled kings like heaven itself with a conclave of the celestials of great good fortune. And they were all conversant with the Vedas and brave and of resplendent countenances. And, O great king, the friendly match at dice then commenced.

Yudhishthira said,--"O king, this excellent wealth of pearls of great value, procured from the ocean by churning it (of old), so beautiful and decked with pure gold, this, O king, is my stake. What is thy counter stake, O great king,--the wealth with which thou wishest to play with me?"

"Duryodhana said,--'I have many jewels and much wealth. But I am not vain of them. Win thou this stake.'

Vaisampayana continued,--"Then Sakuni, well-skilled at dice, took up the dice and (casting them) said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo, I have won!'"

2.53.18

bhīṣmo droṇaḥ kṛpaścaiva viduraśca mahāmatiḥ |
nātīvaprītamanasaste'nvavartanta bhārata || 18 ||

2.53.19

te dvaṃdvaśaḥ pṛthakcaiva siṃhagrīvā mahaujasaḥ |
siṃhāsanāni bhūrīṇi vicitrāṇi ca bhejire || 19 ||

2.53.20

śuśubhe sā sabhā rājanrājabhistaiḥ samāgataiḥ |
devairiva mahābhāgaiḥ samavetaistriviṣṭapam || 20 ||

2.53.21

sarve vedavidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve bhāsvaramūrtayaḥ |
prāvartata mahārāja suhṛddyūtamanantaram || 21 ||

2.53.22

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
ayaṃ bahudhano rājansāgarāvartasaṃbhavaḥ |
maṇirhārottaraḥ śrīmānkanakottamabhūṣaṇaḥ || 22 ||

Yudhishthira said,--"O king, this excellent wealth of pearls of great value, procured from the ocean by churning it (of old), so beautiful and decked with pure gold, this, O king, is my stake. What is thy counter stake, O great king,--the wealth with which thou wishest to play with me?"

2.53.23

etadrājandhanaṃ mahyaṃ pratipāṇastu kastava |
bhavatveṣa kramastāta jayāmyenaṃ durodaram || 23 ||

2.53.24

duryodhana uvāca |
santi me maṇayaścaiva dhanāni vividhāni ca |
matsaraśca na me'rtheṣu jayāmyenaṃ durodaram || 24 ||

"Duryodhana said,--'I have many jewels and much wealth. But I am not vain of them. Win thou this stake.'

2.53.25

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
tato jagrāha śakunistānakṣānakṣatattvavit |
jitamityeva śakuniryudhiṣṭhiramabhāṣata || 25 ||

Vaisampayana continued,--"Then Sakuni, well-skilled at dice, took up the dice and (casting them) said unto Yudhishthira, 'Lo, I have won!'"