The Pandavas and Kauravas once played a game of dice (Chausar). But it was not a fair game. The dice were controlled by Shakuni, who cheated using dice made from his father’s bones. Because of this, the Kauravas kept winning every round.
Duryodhan kept provoking Yudhishthira with twisted arguments about dharma. Yudhishthira, wanting to protect his honor and duty, kept playing. Want to know, what were the arguments?
How did Yudhishthra receive the summon for playing the game of dice?
Duryodhana/Shakuni's went to Indraprasth and summoned Yudhishthra for the game of dice with these words: "O King Yudhishthira, your uncle, King Dhritarashtra, has summoned you to Hastinapura for a friendly assembly and a game of dice. It is a pastime of kings. To refuse the call of your elder or a challenge to a game is against the dharma of a Kshatriya (warrior king). You must accept."
Yudhishthira's Reply: "O King, gambling is deceitful and leads to conflict; it is not a feat of honorable warriors. Wise men do not praise it. But if I am challenged, I will not withdraw. This is a vow I have always followed. Since my uncle, the king, commands it, I will play, though I know it is destiny that will prevail."
Yudhishthra, his 4 brothers along with Panchali reached Hastinapur.
The game of dice (Chausar) began.
Stake 1: Jewels and Pearls. Yudhishthira started by betting on a magnificent pearl necklace. Shakuni rolled the dice and declared, "I win!"
Stake 2: Treasure and Gold. Believing he could win it back, Yudhishthira then staked chests filled with gold and treasure. Again, Shakuni rolled, and again he won.
Stake 3: Royal Chariots and Horses. Growing more determined, Yudhishthira wagered his divine chariots and thousands of warhorses. Shakuni won them all with a single throw.
At this point, seeing the pattern of impossible luck, the wise advisor Vidura tried to intervene. He warned King Dhritarashtra that this game would lead to ruin and begged him to stop it. Yudhishthira, too, was shaken. This is when the psychological attack began.
What happened when Yudhishthra wanted to stop: Duryodhana and Shakuni didn't use physical force; they used shame. Shakuni laughed and taunted him, "A king does not show regret over losing mere wealth! You are a great emperor. Such small losses mean nothing. Or has your heart failed you already? Are you a quitter?"
This taunt was like a spear to Yudhishthira's pride as a Kshatriya (warrior). To stop now would mean admitting defeat and being branded a coward. Goaded by this, he continued.
Stake 4: Servants and Handmaidens. Yudhishthira staked his thousands of servants. Shakuni won.
Stake 5: Elephants and Armies. He then staked his entire army and war elephants. Shakuni won.
Having lost all his movable wealth, Yudhishthira was desperate.
Stake 6: The Kingdom of Indraprastha. Shakuni challenged him to stake something truly valuable. Yudhishthira, in a final attempt to win everything back, staked his entire glorious kingdom. The elders in the hall gasped in horror. Shakuni rolled the dice and, with a triumphant cry, won the kingdom.
The hall was in shock. The Pandavas were now homeless and without a kingdom. Yudhishthira was about to remove his royal ornaments, acknowledging his defeat.
One by one, he placed everything at stake—his kingdom, his wealth, his brothers, and finally, even Draupadi.
When Draupadi was lost in the game, Duryodhan ordered Dushasan to bring her to the court. Draupadi refused to come, but Dushasan dragged her by her hair into the Raj Sabha.
In the hall full of elders and kings, Draupadi was insulted. Duryodhan shamelessly asked her to sit on his lap. Karna cruelly called her a prostitute. And when Draupadi tried to question and show them the truth, Duryodhan ordered Dushasan to disrobe her in front of everyone.
The Sabha sat silent. No one stood up for her—except Krishna. When Dushasan began pulling at her saree, Draupadi cried out in pain and despair, folding her hands and shouting, “Govind! Govind!”
At that moment, Krishna came to her rescue. With every pull of Dushasan’s hand, Draupadi’s saree only grew longer and longer. The cloth never ended. No matter how much he tried, he could not strip her dignity. Exhausted and humiliated himself, Dushasan finally collapsed in defeat.
Draupadi stood there, protected by Krishna, her faith shining stronger than ever. The men of the Sabha hung their heads in shame, for they had remained silent when injustice stood before them.
Draupadi’s heart was burning with pain and anger. She was ready to curse the entire court for their silence and injustice.
Just then, her mother-in-law Kunti, and Maharani Gandhari, the wife of Dhritrashtra, arrived in the Sabha. They were shocked to witness what had taken place. Draupadi stood there, her eyes blazing with fury, about to curse everyone. But Gandhari stopped her and pleaded, “Forgive them, just this once. Do not curse the Sabha.”
Draupadi, though broken and deeply hurt, agreed—but on one condition. She demanded that the Pandavas be freed from servitude. At first, Duryodhan resisted, but eventually, he agreed—with a cruel condition of his own. He said, “The Pandavas must go into exile for 12 years, and spend the 13th year in disguise (agyat vaas). If they are discovered during that year, they will once again be exiled for 12 years.”
