The Mahabharata by R. K. Narayan

this assembly? I have wealth, gems, and gold—an inexhaustible source. Whoever can match my stakes, let him begin.”
    At this point, Duryodhana said, “I am also pouring out my wealth and jewels on this occasion and Sakuni, my uncle, will play on my behalf….”
    Yudhistira said, “Playing by proxy is not permissible. But if you insist, let the game begin; here is my stake.”
    Beginning modestly with a handful of pearls, the stakes grew in size. Yudhistira slipped into a gambler’s frenzy, blind to consequences, his vision blurred to all but the ivory-white dice and the chequered board. He forgot who he was, where he was, who else was there, and what was right or wrong. All he knew was the clatter of the rolling dice, followed every few minutes by Sakuni’s raucous chant, “I win,” and the cheers that burst from Duryodhana’s party. Yudhistira was provoked to raise his stakes higher each time Sakuni’s voice was heard.
    â€œI have hundreds of women of ethereal beauty and capacity to serve and please…. I have a chariot drawn by eight horses before whose pace no mortal can survive; it has gold-inlaid wheels and bells that can ring across the earth….” At each stage he was hoping that the other side would give up, but they accepted the highest challenge calmly as they were in no doubt about Sakuni’s “I win.” Again and again it happened. The elders in the assembly hall were aghast atthe trend of the events. Yudhistira endlessly described the enormous wealth that he possessed in elephants, armies, cattle, and territory, and offered each item in the hope it would be unmatched. But within two minutes, an interval just sufficient to roll the dice, Sakuni would declare, “I win, I win.”
    Suddenly Sakuni was heard to say to Yudhistira, with a great deal of mock solicitude, “King, I notice that you have lost a great deal. I’ll give you time to recollect anything you may still have in your possession, and tell me… ”
    Yudhistira’s ego was roused. “Why do you ask for an estimate of my wealth? I have still enough in millions and trillions. You don’t have to concern yourself with my limits…. Here is…”
    â€œI win,” declared Sakuni.
    â€œNever mind, I still have cattle, horses, and sheep extending up to the banks of Sindhu. I will play with them, continue.”
    â€œI win.”
    â€œI have my city, the country, land and wealth, and all dwelling houses… ”
    â€œI have won.”
    â€œNow my wealth consists of my allies, princes. You see them decked in gold and royal ornaments… ”
    â€œI win.”
    Within a short time Yudhistira had lost all his dependent princes, soldiers, and attendants, and Sakuni asked with a leer, “Have you anyone left?”
    At this point, Vidura said to Dhritarashtra, “This has gone too far. Stop it, and if you are not obeyed, get that jackal in our midst, your son, destroyed. Otherwise, I see the complete destruction of your entire family, sooner or later. To save a family or a clan it is proper to sacrifice an individual. Even at birth, Duryodhana never cried like a baby, but let out a howl like a jackal which everyone understood as an evil sign. They advised you to destroy that monster forthwith,but you have allowed him to flourish in your family. You are partial to him and accept all his demands, and you have sanctioned this monstrous game, which is undermining the Pandava family. But remember that this setback to them is illusory; whatever they lose now, they will recover later with a vengeance. Before it is too late, stop it and order Dhananjaya * to kill Duryodhana here and now, and you will save the entire race….”
    It took a lot of courage to offer a suggestion like this openly, but Vidura was sure of his stand, and saw that Sakuni was practising some subtle deceit. “Those who collect honey after ascending