Reading Notes: Mahabharata

The Gambling Match by Donald A. Mackenzie

• Duryodhana jealous at the riches of the Pandavas 
• Yudhishthira is who he wants to take revenge on, but he knows he must find a way to beat him without strength or power
• he plans to outwit him in a game of dice, specifically known as Parcheesi
• he hire's Shakuni to do the betting for him. Shakuni is good at gambling, he uses loaded die
• they invite the Pandavas to Hastinapura for a gambling match
• Shakuni invites Yudhishthira to gamble with him, however, the stakes are between Yudhishitra and Duryodhana 
• Yud knows its a trap, but he cannot back out of a match at battle or gambling, so he has to do it
• he lost every single hand, losing all his riches, his cattle, his elephants, everything he owned until he gave up his life
• then he gives up Vidura
• Vidura says that he can't bet on her life because he already gave up his own, so she won't comply
• Duryodhana doesn't care and has guards take her anyway
• strange series of events, could be made into a comedy



Gambling