Intro
Dyuta Parva is the story of the gambling match with dice.
All the chapters in this parva are available -
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/dyuta
As It Rhymes
1.
Vaishampayana said,
‘Dhritarashtra’s ninety plus demon sons got a look at the Goddess bare.
The virtuous ones cast their eyes aside.
No big news or surprise to their wide-eyed stare.
2.
A wave of rowdy Sabha silence met Draupadi’s un-shook defiance.
The Vedas all but forgot in their attuned senses.
Partha’s son simmered like a stoic mute.
Yudhishthira’s tongue was unable to roll like a chariot sunk in a rut.
Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana took the opportunity to speak directly to Panchali.
3.
Duryodhana said,
“Yajnaseni, your question stands.
Why not ask your husbands?
Ask Bhima, Arjuna, Sahadeva, Nakula to speak.
Is Yudhishthira really your lead?
Just say no and you are all freed.
4.
King Yudhishthira’s indecision is the cause of your distress.
With the Sabha as witness, Yudhishthira could free you in an instant if he would just speak.
Maybe Yudhisthira is a weak leader gone meek?
5.
What Sharduli cat caught the ballyhooed Dharmaraja’s tongue?
Your husbands are all Shiva like lords, yet they sit on the shelf.
Dharma’s son Yudhisthira squatted on the throne like Indra himself.
6.
Your husbands eschew your question means it’s all true but tough to swallow.
The Kauravas have won all the Pandavas’ wealth.
That includes the Pandavas themselves.
All of you are our servants.
We order, all six of you follow.
You will deliver love service on demand.”
7-8.
After the Kuru King spoke the Sabha brahman hissed.
The Kuru princes felt shivers of pleasure at Duryodhana’s declaration.
Duryodhana’s mind bent to cruel intent a wicked guru miss.
9.
The Partha five led by Yudhishthira felt stricken.
The Pandavas turned their ashen faces south.
The Sabha assembly waited for Yudhishthira’s forthcoming restriction on what should be done or not done.
Yudhishthira sat silent with a gape mouth.
10-11.
The Sabha assembly looked then to Bibhatsu, the king of the fight Bhimasena and the twins of death with eager curiosity.
The five feared warriors sat as though bound and gagged moot for all their ferocity.
They could not break the dilemma’s bonds with warrior charms.
Tasting bitten lip blood and smeared in sandalwood, Bhima stood waving his arms.
12.
Bhimasena said,
“Our illustrious guru Dharmaraja may be momentarily subdued.
As the master of the body’s strength is its breath, Yudhishthira is the Pandava root.
13.
Like Lord Siva, Yudhishthira is pious and fair.
It’s Yudhishthira’s call if we are won or not won in this affair.
14-15.
But consider yourselves lucky I follow Yudhishthira’s unequivocal lead.
If I had a more independent mind, I might get an idea to tear apart you Kuru dears like a lion tears apart ruru.
I have a powerful urge to bludgeon anyone with these arms whose feet touch ground in this world who would grab Panchali’s hair like Shatakratu.
16.
In this gambling hall, I saw Dharma’s noose slip.
I saw calamity draw near.
Like a cow I stopped frozen biting my lip.
Checked by Arjuna I could not intervene.
17.
Know if Dharmaraja gives the word, your Kuru lives are as insignificant to me as game animals are to lions.
Dhritarashtra, on his command I will commit terrible deeds, trample or crush every one of your scions.”
18.
Vaishampayana said,
Bhishma, Drona and Vidura nodded in agreeance.
“All is possible through Bhimasena.”
Notes
[1] Vaishampayana is one of the principal narrators of the Mahabharata.
Vaishampayana narrates the story to Janamejaya, who is the last surviving descendant of the Kuru dynasty after it falls apart.
Janamejaya was Parikshit's son. Parikshit was born from Arjuna's son Abhimanyu.
[2] Panchali is Draupadi.
[3] Yajnaseni is Draupadi.
Draupadi is married to all five Pandavas. The story of how they all met and this unusual arrangement came to be is told in Svayamvara.
Draupadi asked the question if Yudhishthira lost himself to dice or Draupadi first. Yudhishthira first bet all his riches, then his brothers, and finally himself before betting Draupadi.
The dilemma this poses is crucial. If Yudhishthira, or any of the Pandavas answer yes, Yudhishthira was lost - freeing Draupadi - they would concede that they and Yudhishthira are now slaves. Similar if any Pandava claims Yudhishthira did not have standing to bet his brothers - freeing Draupadi and himself - Yudhishthira would be considered a slave and a thief. To answer of no - that Draupadi was bet by Yudhishthira and rightfully lost also affirms there own condition as servants who were rightfully won or lost. The question of Dharma turns around both the personal rights of freedom and duty or obligation.
[5] Sharduli is the mother of all tigers.
Shiva is one of the three principle Hindu deities, along with Brahma and Vishnu.
Indra is the king of Gods and a brother to Vishnu as one of the 12 Adityas - all forms of sun.
[9] South is the direction of Yama, or death.
[10] Bibhatsu is Arjuna. The twins of death are Sahadeva and Nakula. Madri is the mother of the twins. Sahadeva and Nakula are the best sword fighters of Drona’s students.
[15] Ruru are deer.
Shatakratu is another name for Indra.
[17] Dharmaraja is Yudhishthira. It means Dharma King.
[18] Bhishma is a stepbrother (sort of) to Dhritarashtra and Pandu. Pandu's sons are the Pandavas. Dhritarashtra's sons are the Kauravas, led by Duryodhana.
Drona is the preceptor, or trainer, for the Kuru warriors. Drona's enmity with Drupada factors in Draupadi and the Pandavas' marriage.
Vidura is a Kuru uncle, known for truth and virtuous mind.