Intro
Dyuta parva is the story of the dice match
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/dyuta
As It Rhymes
Colloquy Between Yudhishthira and Shakuni
1-2.
Vaishampayana said,
The Pandavas followed their priests into the Sabha with Yudhishthira in the lead.
The hallowed Sabha had been turned into a den of greed.
As they took their seats the kings and priests gave worship or a salute to one another as befit their suit.
3.
Soon the kings settled in ready for dice rolls to begin.
Saubala’s son Shakuni asked Yudhishthira to advise rules to win.
4.
Shakuni said,
The moment has come to cast the dice.
Play fair. Play with skill.
Players shall not rely on divine will.
5-6.
Yudhishthira said,
O’ King! Is your advice a vice?
To obtain a fortune by dice is sin.
Shakuni, do you seek to win what’s mine by a twisted device?
7-8.
Shakuni said,
In a match of skill, one who has knowledge bests one who is ignorant.
One with intellect knows to triumph over the intolerant.
Your wealth and skill do not decay.
Partha, among the Kurus, compared to you who has more in play?
9-13.
Yudhishthira said,
Recall the sage Devala’ advice.
Gambling shuts heaven’s door.
To win by sin is Dharma’s floor.
The right karma is victory by fight.
Your desires are inferior.
War would be superior.
Shakuni, we see your stealth.
Brahmans are served by our wealth.
Is it better to give than receive?
14-17.
Shakuni said,
Yudhishthira - I hear one inferior idea after another when you speak.
Brahman stoke the sacrificial fire with an iron poker.
The intelligent man deals with the joker.
The strong man takes from the weak.
One with limited knowledge falls prey to one who knows.
This is the way the wind blows.
So you insist I aim to deceive.
Why not desist from play if the challenge is one you fear to receive?
18-19.
Yudhishthira said,
O’ King! I don’t back down.
I sit situated in full subjugation to my crown.
But who in this assembly is fit to sit at my table?
Let him put his money down if he is able.
20.
Duryodhana said,
I have precious stones and vast wealth to stake.
My maternal uncle Shakuni will play for my sake.
21.
Yudhishthira said,
Gambling another’s wealth is an odd way for a warrior to play.
You are learned and know this so if you so desire then let it be that way.
Notes
[1] Sabha means assembly hall. This is where the kings may congregate.
Vaishampayana is a narrator of the Mahabharata - he is telling the story to Janamejaya, the last descendant of the Kuru dynasty in the line of Parikshit beget by Abhimanyu who was beget by Arjuna.
[2] Shakuni and Duryodhana conspired to challenge Yudhishthira to the dice match. Shakuni is skilled in dice, Yudhishthira is not. They rigged the dice to further weight the odds in their favor.
[8] Partha in this context means Yudhishthira, though it is usually an epithet for Arjuna. Most of the characters are Kurus. The Mahabharata is the story of the Kuru dynasty’s end.
[16] Brahman are priest. Kshatriyas are warriors. Dharma is righteous behavior according to one’s varna, stage in life, and context of action. Karma is action that results in cause and effect.
Chapter 60
Commencement of the play
1.
Vaishampayana said,
The kings placed their stakes.
The Sabha became filled with the clank of coin, the clatter of precious stone and bettors scream.
2.
Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Vidura staked.
Vidura alone felt this was a mistake.
3.
The kings roared from their necks like lions in triumph and defeat.
The finest stakes were strange and extraordinary and the stuff of dream.
4.
The betting Kings shook their hands and stamped their feet.
Wearing their best ornament and finery while they gambled, it looked like the Gods had assembled.
5.
The Kings set their knowledge of the Vedas aside.
Some had luck.
Some had skill.
Some were elite.
Some would hide.
Some knew lingo.
Some were unfit for bingo.
Some took a bad beat.
Some let it ride.
Some could afford the loss.
Some lost the rent to a toss.
Some rolled zero.
Some were capable.
The Kings in the great gambling tournament were all hero.
6-7.
Yudhishthira said,
I have a string of ocean pearls to flatter a king’s favorite girl.
Plus a Sri Man’s gemstone ornament.
O’ King! Bring your stake to the table.
Match my bet as best you are able.
8.
Duryodhana said,
O’ King! You are the boss.
May these precious stones and gems of mine give you pleasure.
It’s not me to feel anger, jealousy or envy by loss of treasure.
I can stack more from my vast store of stuff.
It’s for you to say when I’ve staked enough.
9.
Vaishampayana said,
Yudhishthira was pleased.
The dice were released.
‘Look’, Shakuni said, ‘I win.’
Notes
[2] Bhishma is a great uncle to all the Kurus. Also known as Gangeya, Bhishma is considered the son of the Ganges. Drona is the preceptor of the Kuru prince warriors. Kripa was the preceptor before Drona. Vidura is also a great uncle of the Kurus.