Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.813

c5.813

Duryodhana wanted to challenge Yudhiṣṭhira to a game of dice. Dhṛtarāṣṭra agreed but advised Duryodhana not to live in enmity with the Pāṇḍavas. The game of dice was played, and Yudhiṣṭhira lost everything the Pāṇḍavas had. Dhṛtarāṣṭra called Pāñcālī and told her that she might ask any boon. She requested that her husband Dharmaputra might be exempted from servitude and the Pāṇḍavas made free. Dhṛtarāṣṭra compelled her to ask for more boons. She replied that according to law Vaiśyas were eligible for one boon, Kṣatriya women two boons, Kings three boons and Brāhmaṇas hundred boons, and since she had already taken two boons, she wanted no more. Dhṛtarāṣṭra who was pleased at this reply gave the Pāṇḍavas freedom and returned all their lost wealth.