Section LV - Sakuni challenges Yudhishthira to a dice game
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section LV including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
Sakuni suggests to Duryodhana that they use gambling and dice to snatch the prosperity of Yudhishthira, which Duryodhana agrees to. Dhritarashtra is hesitant and seeks advice from Vidura, who advises against it, warning that gambling can lead to destructive consequences. Duryodhana dismisses Vidura's advice and convinces Dhritarashtra to proceed with his plan to build a grand assembly house for a gambling match.
The assembly house is quickly constructed as ordered by Dhritarashtra, with a thousand columns, adorned with gold and lapis lazuli, and a hundred gates. The palace is furnished with luxurious items and presented to the king as a marvel of architecture. Dhritarashtra then instructs Vidura to bring Yudhishthira and his brothers to the assembly house for a friendly match at dice, intending to use gambling as a means to gain control over their prosperity.
The construction of the palace and the preparation for the gambling match show Duryodhana's determination to use deceit and manipulation to achieve his goals, disregarding the advice of his well-wishers like Vidura. Dhritarashtra's obedience to his son and blindness to the potential consequences of gambling indicate his weakness as a ruler. The stage is set for a dangerous and pivotal moment in the conflict between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section LV - Sakuni challenges Yudhishthira to a dice game, have a look at the following articles:
Section LV, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 31,635 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section LV:
What was Sukuni's plan to snatch Yudhishthira's prosperity?
Sakuni planned to use dice as his weapon to defeat Yudhishthira.
What was Duryodhana's attitude towards Sukuni's plan?
Duryodhana supported Sukuni's plan to snatch Yudhishthira's prosperity through dice.
How did Dhritarashtra feel about the proposed gambling match?
Dhritarashtra was hesitant and felt uneasy about the consequences of the gambling match.
Daily life: Sakuni challenges Yudhishthira to a dice game:
In the tale above, Dhritarashtra is swayed by his son Duryodhana and Sakuni’s cunning plan to defeat Yudhishthira through a game of dice, despite his initial reservations and the wise counsel of Vidura, highlighting the dangers of succumbing to peer pressure and ignoring wise advice. This story can serve as a poignant reminder in our daily lives about the importance of making decisions grounded in morality and wisdom, rather than being swayed by the dubious suggestions of others who may have their own interests at heart. It shows the peril of decision making when it is influenced by those who do not have our best interests in mind and underscores the value of listening to counsel that is ethical and well-intentioned.
The construction of the magnificent assembly house, despite Dhritarashtra’s knowledge of the potential consequences, symbolizes how individuals can be driven to take actions that may lead to their downfall, under the influence of ambition and the desire to please others. This serves as a cautionary tale on the consequences of our actions, reminding us to carefully consider the outcomes of our decisions and to value integrity over temporary gains or the appeasement of others. Emphasizing reasoning and ethical considerations in our choices can help us avoid regrettable situations that stem from impulsive or poorly thought-out actions.