THE PLAN OF SHAKUNI

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DYOOTA PARVA > CHAPTER 47 - THE PLAN OF SHAKUNI

“Shakuni said ‘O Duryodhana, you should not be jealous of Yudhishthira. The Paandavaas are enjoying what they deserve in consequence of their own good fortune. O slayer of enemies, O great king (Duryodhana), you couldst not destroy them by repeatedly devising numberless plans, many of which you had even put to practice. Those tigers among men (Paandavaas) out of sheer luck escaped all those plots. They have obtained Draupadi for wife and Drupada with his sons along with Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna) of great prowess as allies, capable of helping them in subjugating the whole world. O king (Duryodhana), having inherited the paternal share of the kingdom without being deprived of it they have grown in consequence of their own energy (Tejasa in Sanskrit). What is there to make you sorry for this?

“Having satisfied Hutaashana (Agni), Dhananjaya (Arjuna) has obtained the bow Gandeeva, the couple of inexhaustible arrow baskets and many divine weapons. With that unique bow and by the strength of his own arms also he has brought all the kings of the world under his rule. What is there to make you sorry for this?

“Having saved the Asura Maya from the forest fire, Arjuna, that slayer of enemies, using both his hands with equal skill, caused him to build that sabha. It is for this also that commanded by Maya, those grim Rakshasas called Kinkaraas supported that sabha. What is there in this to make you sorry?

“You have said, O king (Duryodhana), that you are without allies. This, O Bharata (Duryodhana), is not true. These your brothers are obedient to you. Drona of great prowess and wielding the large bow along with his son (Ashwatthaama), Radha’s son Karna, the great warrior Gautama (Kripa), myself with my brothers and king Saumadatti – these are your allies. Uniting yourself with these, you conquer the whole of the earth.’

“Duryodhana said, ‘O king (Shakuni), with you and also with these great warriors, I shall subjugate the Paandavaas, if it pleases you. If I can now subjugate them, the world will be mine and all the monarchs, and that sabha so full of wealth.'

“Shakuni replied, ‘Dhananjaya (Arjuna), Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna), Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, Nakula, Sahadeva and Drupada with his sons – these cannot be vanquished in battle by even Devas, for they are all great warriors wielding the largest bows, accomplished in weapons, and delighting in battle. But, O king (Duryodhana), I know the means by which Yudhishthira himself may be vanquished. Listen to me and adopt it.’

“Duryodhana said, ‘Without danger to our friends and other respected men, O uncle (Shakuni), tell me if there is any way by which I may vanquish him.’

“Shakuni said, ‘The son of Kunti (Yudhishthira) is very fond of dice-play (Dyoota in Sanskrit) although he does not know how to play. That king (Yudhishthira) if asked to play, will not be able to refuse. I am skillful at dice. There is none equal to me in this respect on earth, no, not even in the three worlds, O son of Kuru (Duryodhana). Therefore, ask him to play at dice. Skilled at dice, I will win his kingdom, and that splendid prosperity of his for you, O bull among men (Duryodhana). But, O Duryodhana, represent all this to the king (Dhritarashtra). Commanded by your father I will win without doubt the whole of Yudhishthira’s possessions.’

“Duryodhana said, ‘O Saubala (Shakuni), you yourself represent properly all this to Dhritarashtra, the chief of the Kurus. I shall not be able to do so.’”