The Dice Game
Part 1 / Chapter 19 / 83 chapters
The Dice Game
reaches with 's invitation, warns that gambling is dangerous, and reluctantly agrees because the order comes from an elder and a challenge cannot be refused. In , plays for and wins 's wealth, armies, kingdom, brothers, and finally himself. openly warns to stop the disaster, but the king remains silent. then urges to stake ; she is declared won, and orders her brought to the assembly despite 's protest.
This guide follows Krishna Dharma's retelling as the source of truth. This panel notes broad edition-level framing or compression that helps a reader orient themselves.
- 1
arrives in .
receives with affection, but sees his distress before hearing 's invitation to visit the new hall and play dice.
- 2
warns about the match.
says gambling is the root of misery and explains that wants to play against with 's permission.
- 3
accepts the summons.
Although he does not want to gamble, says he cannot refuse 's command or a ksatriya challenge and prepares to go to .
- 4
The Pandavas enter 's palace.
and his brothers travel with Brahmins, are received by , the Kuru elders, , , and assembled kings, and rest for the night.
- 5
enters the ladies' quarters.
and the other Pandava queens greet 's daughters-in-law, whose envy is stirred by their beauty and prosperity.
- 6
opens the game.
In the new hall, calls for dice. objects to deceitful play, but the silent elders and 's complicity leave him to accept 's arrangement.
- 7
wins the first stakes.
Playing on 's behalf, wins 's pearls, gold, chariot, servants, animals, soldiers, and stores of wealth through repeated throws.
- 8
The Pandavas endure the cheating.
and long for open combat, but remain silent because has not ordered them to act.
- 9
warns in the assembly.
says is leading the Kuru house toward destruction and urges to stop the gambling before war follows.
- 10
rebukes .
accuses of siding with the enemy, while answers that true counsel is often disagreeable but beneficial.
- 11
loses his kingdom.
After sits down and remains silent, resumes the game and loses the rest of his wealth and then his kingdom.
- 12
and are lost.
stakes and then . wins both, then tries to suggest values 's sons less than and .
- 13
and are lost.
stakes and then , and wins each throw while , , and the Kauravas rejoice.
- 14
loses himself.
With his brothers and kingdom gone, stakes himself and is declared won by .
- 15
is staked and declared won.
urges to stake as his last chance to recover himself. does so in anguish, and declares her won while the elders and pious kings react in grief and shame.
- 16
orders brought to the hall.
tells to bring as a servant. refuses the logic of the wager, saying had already lost himself and could no longer stake her.
- 17
Pratikamin is sent for .
When continues warning , orders the palace servant Pratikamin to bring , while the Pandavas sit silent under the authority of their elders.