Chapter 59

Vaisampayana said,–“When the play commenced, all those kings withDhritarashtra at their head took their seats in that assembly.

And, OBharata, Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and the high-souled Vidura withcheerless hearts sat behind. And those kings with leonine necks andendued with great energy took their seats separately and in pairs uponmany elevated seats of beautiful make and colour. And, O king, thatmansion looked resplendent with those assembled kings like heaven itselfwith a conclave of the celestials of great good fortune. And they wereall conversant with the Vedas and brave and of resplendent countenances.And, O great king, the friendly match at dice then commenced.

Yudhishthira said,–“O king, this excellent wealth of pearls of greatvalue, procured from the ocean by churning it (of old), so beautiful anddecked with pure gold, this, O king, is my stake. What is thy counterstake, O great king,–the wealth with which thou wishest to play with me?”

“Duryodhana said,–‘I have many jewels and much wealth. But I am not vainof them. Win thou this stake.’

Vaisampayana continued,–“Then Sakuni, well-skilled at dice, took up thedice and (casting them) said unto Yudhishthira, ‘Lo, I have won!'”