In the previous episode, we had witnessed Vidura’s words being thrown into the dustbin by Duryodhana and Co. and the gambling game continued further. Even though Vidura tries his level best to somehow put an end to this, Duryodhana is steadfast. He rejects whatever narrative Vidura comes up with. The sole aim of Duryodhana at this point is to somehow win this game and thrash Yudishtra illegally by abducting all his wealth, kingdom, etc. In fact, Duryodhana was successful in doing so even before Vidura started to speak. By the time Vidura got up, Duryodhana had already got Yudishtra’s Indraprastha into his fold, along with his ministers, servants, army, wealth, etc. Even then, Duryodhana isn’t satisfied! He wants to dig the final nail into Yudishtra’s coffin and wants him to stake his brothers and continue the play. As Vidura’s words fail to be heard, the game continues and Yudishtra loses Bheemasena, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva to Duryodhana! Now all four of them become Duryodhana’s servants!
If we look at how Sahuni played the game here, we would be able to learn quite a few important lessons – How not to get carried away by some people’s tricky words! As Yudishtra came to the point of staking his four brothers and playing, first in the list were Nakula and Sahadeva. As Yudishtra thinks for a while whether to stake them, Sahuni quickly intervenes thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Why do you think as if you do not have anything more to stake and play? You have your four brothers who are well-built and strong, isn’t it? You may stake any two of them and continue! You can still win this and if the dice rolls in favor of you this time, I assure you of giving back everything that you’ve lost till now!” These are the “mesmerising” words that we need to be wary about – If we’re entering into a dangerous zone, we shouldn’t get carried away by people who are trying to encourage us to go in further! Our ego would come in the middle and push us to continue our pursuit, but here is where we need to use our sense of discrimination. Yudishtra failed in this aspect and decided to stake both Nakula and Sahadeva! As fate would have it, Sahuni rolls the dice and both of them are lost! The entire courtroom roars with laughter and Duryodhana is all excited and pumped up! Yudishtra is stunned to bits!
Now what does Yudishtra do? As he somehow decides that enough is enough, Sahuni again intervenes and “pinches” Yudishtra’s ego further! He says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Why are you thinking again? Prepare for the next move! Please don’t come to an early conclusion that you’ve lost everything! You still have the remaining two brothers, don’t you?” Even as Sahuni says thus, Yudishtra calmly replies back, “Oh Uncle! I know that I still have Bheemasena and Arjuna! But somehow I’m not interested to stake them and continue playing further! If I lose them, I’m completely doomed! I can’t take this risk anymore!” As Yudishtra says thus, Sahuni quickly rises to the occasion and hurts his ego further. He says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You were prepared to stake Nakula and Sahadeva because they were not your mother’s direct sons! However, when it comes to your own brothers, you’re going a step behind! Why is that so? Why do you treat your brothers differently like this? All are equal aren’t they? Hence, go ahead and show that you equally respect all your four brothers! If you stop now, it would be like disrespecting your own brothers!”
As Sahuni says thus, Yudishtra’s ego is completely hurt! He has no other option but to stake Bheemasena and Arjuna and play! He does so, and the dice are rolled! Again, as fate would have it, both were lost to Duryodhana! Again, the entire courtroom roars with laughter! Yudishtra is completely doomed now! But is this all? Duryodhana however doesn’t think so! Upon looking at the helpless Yudishtra, Duryodhana thunders thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Now that you’ve lost everything and everybody, you’re completely cornered! I pity your state now! However, please do not think that the game is over so soon! You can stake yourself and continue to play! If you win this round, I assure you that I will give back everything that you’ve lost so far, including your brothers!” These kind of words are where one needs to be very careful – Just because someone is luring us into danger more and more, we’ve to be extremely careful not to get carried away! But what did Yudishtra end up doing? He got carried away by Duryodhana’s words and stakes himself to continue playing!
Yudishtra declares thus, “Oh Sahuni and Duryodhana! As per your words, I shall now stake myself and continue the play!” Saying thus, Yudishtra goes forward, only for the dice to show up Sahuni’s favourite number! Yudishtra now has lost himself too! Now Yudishtra says thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Now that I’ve lost myself to you, I really don’t have anything else to stake and play! Let’s call this off right away!” As Yudishtra says thus, Duryodhana, Karna, Sahuni, Ducchaasana, etc. roar with laughter and make fun of Yudishtra’s pitiable state! Yudishtra too is completely helpless, as from now, he has to dance to Duryodhana’s tunes! This is a dangerous situation now, and for today, let us understand up to this point! Vidura’s words are coming true left, right and centre, as Hastinapura is moving towards a huge disaster! Now is this the end game for Yudishtra, or is something else awaiting him? Let us wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 