Mahabharata Condensed in the Poet's Own Words /130

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 वव्रतमाहितम् ।

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."