THE GAME BEGINS

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DYOOTA PARVA > CHAPTER 58 - THE GAME BEGINS

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Paarthaas with Yudhishthira at their head, having entered that sabha, approached all the kings that were present there. 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 and also all the kings, Shakuni - the son of Subala addressed Yudhishthira and said, ‘O king, the sabha is full. All had been waiting for you. Let, therefore, the dice be cast and the rules of play be fixed, O Yudhishthira.’

“Yudhishthira replied, ‘Deceitful gambling (Nikruti Devanam in Sanskrit) is sinful. There is no Kshatriya prowess (Kshatriya Paraakrama in Sanskrit) in it. There is certainly no morality (Neeti in Sanskrit) in it. Why, then, O king (Shakuni), do you praise gambling so? The wise applaud not the pride that gamesters feel in deceitful play. O Shakuni, vanquish us, not like a wretch, by deceitful means.’

“Shakuni said, ‘That high-knowledgeable player who knows the secrets of winning and losing, who is skilled in confusing the deceitful arts of his fellow member, who is united in all the diverse operations of which gambling consists, truly knows the play, and he suffers all in course of it. O Paarthaa (Yudhishthira), it is the staking at dice, which may be lost or won that may injure us. 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 instructs us about all those acts that may lead to the doorway of Lokaas (other worlds), has said, that it is sinful to play deceitfully with a gambler. To obtain victory in battle through Dharma is the best sport. Gambling, however, as a sport, is not so. Those that are respectable never use the language of the Mlechchaas, nor do they adopt deceitfulness in their behaviour. War carried on without crookedness and cunning, this is the act of men that are honest. O Shakuni, do not by playing desperately, win of us that wealth with which according to our abilities, we strive to learn how to benefit the Brahmanas. 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 gambler, if it be with deceitfulness, should not be applauded.’

“Shakuni said, ‘O Yudhishthira, it is from a desire of winning, which is not a very honest motive, that one high-born person approaches another (in a contest of race superiority). In addition, it is from a desire of defeating, which is not a very honest motive, that one learned person approaches another (in a contest of learning). Such motives, however, are scarcely regarded as really dishonest. Similarly, O Yudhishthira, a person skilled at dice approaches one that is not so skilled from a desire of vanquishing him. One also who is knowledgeable with the truths of science approaches 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. O Yudhishthira, so also one that is skilled in weapons approaches one that is not so skilled; the strong approaches the weak. This is the practice in every contest. The motive is victory, O Yudhishthira. If, therefore, you, in approaching me, regard me to be actuated by motives that are dishonest, if you are under any fear, then stop from playing.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Summoned, I do not withdraw. This is my established vow (Vrata in Sanskrit). O king, Fate (Vidhi in Sanskrit) is all powerful. We all are under the control of Destiny. With whom in this sabha am I to play? Who is there that can stake equally with me? Let the play begin.’

“Duryodhana said, ‘O monarch (Yudhishthira), I shall supply jewels and gems and every kind of wealth. It is for me that this Shakuni, my uncle (Maatula in Sanskrit), will play.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Gambling for one’s sake by the agency of another seems to me to be contrary to rule. You also, O learned one, will admit this. If, however, you are still inclined on it, let the play begin.’”