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114
 
THE MAHABHARATA
 
There, Sakuni addressed Yudhisthira :
"King, the dice-cloth has been spread in
the hall ( here); everybody is expecting you ;
Yudhisthira, let there be an understand-
ing for casting the dice and playing."
 
युधिष्ठिरः-
'निकृतिर्देवनं पापं न क्षात्रोऽत्र पराक्रमः ।
आहूतो न निवर्तेयमिति मे वतमाहितम् ।
विधिश्च बलवान् केन देवनं मे भविष्यति ॥'
Yudhisthira
 
"Gambling is deceitful and sinful; there
is no martial valour in it. I do not
turn back when called; so have I taken
a vow. Fate is powerful. With whom
shall I have to gamble ?"
 
दुर्योधनः-
'अहं दातास्मि रत्नानां धनानां च विशांपते ।
मदर्थे देविता चायं शकुनिर्मातुलो मम ॥'
Duryodhana –
 
" I shall give, o king. jewels and
money, and on my behalf, this uncle of
mine, Sakuni, shall play."