Free The Mahabharata by R. K. Narayan Page A

my predicament, including Draupadi… that awful woman. Someday it will be my turn to laugh at her, be sure of that… ”
    After much talk on the same lines, Sakuni said, “Give up the idea of challenging them to a war. Some other way must be found to humiliate them… ” He thought over it and said, “Challenge them to a game of dice. Well, I’ll help you; we will finesh them through it. I know Yudhistira’s mind. He can never decline an invitation to a game, though he is a worthless player, the weakest player one could imagine!”
    The idea appealed to Duryodhana and he said, “You must help me. First speak to the King and persuade him to invite Yudhistira…. I cannot talk to the old man about it.”
    At Indraprastha, Yudhistira had a visit from Sage Vyasa. Vyasa had come ostensibly to bless him after the rajasuya, but before leaving he uttered a prophecy which made Yudhistira uneasy. “I read the signs and portents. The next thirteen years are going to prove difficult for you. Actions and reactions will be difficult to arrest, and will produce grave consequences. At the end of thirteen years, the entire race of kshatriyas will be wiped out, and you will be the instrument of such a destruction.”
    After Vyasa left, Yudhistira remained gloomy and reflected, “How can we ward off what is destined to happen? I make this vow: for thirteen years, I will not utter a harsh word to anyone, whatever may happen, whether it be a king, brother, or commoner; I shall not utter any word that may create differences among persons. Harsh words and arguments are at the root of every conflict in the world. I shall avoid them; perhaps in this way I can blunt the edge of fate.”
    When they reached Hastinapura, without wasting a moment, Sakuni spoke to King Dhritarashtra. He reported in detail on the rajasuya, and the distinguished guests, and the grandeur of the whole business. In conclusion he said, “Your son Duryodhana was received and treated well, but I suspect he is not happy. He has lost his colour, a pallor is coming over him, he has no taste for food, he is brooding, there is some deep disturbance in his mind. We must find out the cause of it.”
    Dhritarashtra was upset. Immediately he sent for his son Duryodhana and questioned him. “I learn that you have grown pale, and some worry is gnawing you inside. Tell me what it is. We will make you happy again.”
    Duryodhana described in detail the splendour and richness of all that he had seen in the Pandava country, and concluded, “They are our enemies: that you must understand in the first place.”
    â€œNo, no,” said the old man. “I can make no distinction between you and the Pandavas.”
    â€œThat may be, but I have a different philosophy. They are our enemies. I have read in the scripture that one who does not feel angered at the rise and prosperity of his enemies is like a mud effigy without any feeling. Jealousy is a normal, legitimate emotion. It is our duty to match their luxury and excel them, and impoverish them when the time comes.”
    Dhritarashtra, though he disputed his son’s view, ultimately weakened and agreed to do his bidding. When he heard of the Hall of Marbles at Indraprastha, he decided to build one for Duryodhana immediately. He summoned his minister and ordered, “Let a million men work on this, but I must have this hall of assembly built in the quickest time; it must rise as if by a conjurer’s spell. Let the hall be as wide and long as the Lake of Manasarovar, of which I have heard, so that a man standing at one end cannot be seen from the other end. Let there be a thousand marble pillars supporting the roof. Let the roof be set with countless gems and scintillatelike a starry night. The Prince has described to me vividly all that he saw at Indraprastha. Gold and the nine kinds of precious stones must be embedded in every wall and pillar—not an