(Kavitraya) MAHAA BHAARAT
(In Simple English)

Originally written in Sanskrit by Bhagavan Veda Vyaasa
(Krishna Dvaipaayana)
Translated into Telugu (a Regional Language of South India)
b y
Sri Nannaya Bhattaarakah
Sri Tikkana Somayaaji
Sri Yerra Pragada.
in Eleventh Century
( popularly known as Kavitrayam)
Commentary in simple English
by Sri. M.V.Subrahmanyam,

In Naimisaaranya, Ugrasravasa, the sooti ( story teller) continued to narrate the great story Mahabharata to Saint Sounaka and other sages and saints assembled there.
Maya, the divine sculptor and a great architect, told Arjuna:
"Arjunaa, with your generosity and kindness, I escaped from fire. I want to do something to you. Kindly tell me what do you want.You know, I am a great sculptor and architect. I can construct magnificent, marvellous and memorable buildings" said Maya.
Arjuna looked at Sri Krishna for his advise. Sri Krishna told Maya "Dharma Raja is the king and emperor of Kuru Dynasty. You have to construct a building which will match to his status and prestige." said Krishna.
"Krishna, you are correct. There is no other emperor on this earth who can match Dharmaja. Hence, I will construct a magnifi- cent building which will be acclaimed by one and all. Previously, I collected building material for constructing a marvelous building to one Vrushaparva, a Danava King. But I could not construct the same for some reason or other. I preserved the collected material in a pond called "Bindu sarovaram". With that material, I will construct a marvellous building for the sake of Dharmaraja. Besides that, one Rajarshi Bhomaaditya kept one Samkha(conche) called Devadatta and one Gadha (mace like weapon) with me. I will give that Gadha to Bheema and Conche(Devadatta) to Arjuna." so saying, he gave Samkha and Gadha to Arjuna and Bheema, took leave from Dharmaja and proceeded to Bindu Sarovara. Sri Krishna also left for Dwaraka.
Mayaa, the great builder, by using the building material hidden in Bindu Sarovara, constructed a huge, magnificnet and marvellous building called Maya Sabha. He used blue diamonds to resemble water; rubies for resembling red lotus flowers, and other red flowers; silver for resembling white lotus, white swans and other white flowers; he used diamonds for resembling fish in water; he used pearls for creating whitish foam, he used emaralds and other green diamonds for creating green leaves and green water plants. Any body who looks at them shall feel that they are real lotus flowers in blue waters, and green plants etc. He used water fountains for sprinkling water and artificial trees, nests for birds, and artificial animals etc. He spent fourteen months for constructing such a magnificent building. He constructed that building on the banks of Bindu Sarovara. Then he carried that building from Bindu Sarovara to Indraprastha by air through eight thousand raakshasas (demons). He presented the same to Dharmaja.
On one auspicious day, Dharma Raja, along with wife, brothers entered Maya Sabha, with the blessings of his Purohit Dhoumya. All the Saamanta kings (the kings who were under his rule and control) visited Dharma Raja and offered him valuable gifts.
One day, Narada, the divine saint, visited Dharma Raja. Dharmaja welcomed Narada. He offered Arghyam and paadyam to Narada and offered him a convenient seat.
Narada began to ask Dharma Raja about the political administration of Dharmaja and how he was ruling his people.
(Here, we have to observe one thing. We usually see Narada in our mythological films and stories as a saint who was wandering from one Loka to other Loka, carrying tales from one person to other, creating quarrels between wife and husband and brothers etc. In some films, Narada was shown as a humourous character. But if you go through the following questions asked by him, you will find how wise and intelligent he was, how stalwart he was in political administration and political science. Several things which have to be followed by Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers and other Cabinet Ministers were told by Narada in those days. Kindly read and think about them).
Dharmaja, are you ruling your country by following Dharma, morals and virtues.
Are you discharing your duties by following Dharma and morals and using your own wisdom.
Are you applying your mind alone to important matters at mid night in a serene atmosphere and taking correct decisions?
Are you employing persons with stable mind and with good morale, in important posts?
Have you employed efficient Brahmins and those who know about our customs and ancient scriptures.
The victory of a king depends on his secret thinking. Are you preserving your administrative secrets carefully, without any leakage?
Is your Chief Priest discharing his duties efficiently by performing important sacrifices time to time?
Have you employed fit, faithful and efficient persons as your Army Generals? Is any of your ministers, who got more popularity than you, betraying you, by joining hands with your enemies? Becuse, money and power always corrupt a man. He will become greedy always.
(Nowadays, This act of betrayal and backstabbing and chair pulling is prevalent anywhere and everywhere in the world).
Are The scientists in your country engaged in predicting the future events with regard to earth and space and taking preventive measures by taking suitable actions to avert them.
Are the Doctors in your country discharing their duties efficiently with an intention to serve the common man and with love and affection towards common people.
(For some silly reason or other, Sudden strikes and abstaining from duties is the daily routine of today's doctors).
Have you employed experts in financial matters, and people with great morale, and people with good administrative skills, for discharing duties in the financial wing in your country?
Have you employed persons by assessing their talent and ability, in higher, middle and lower categories.
Are you disbursing salaries to your employees promptly and in time. Because, if you do not disburse salaries in time, you have to see sadness in their faces which is not good for the King.
Are you recognising the services of the persons who have been working with you hereditarily. Because they sacrificed their lives for your sake.
Dharmajaa, have you provided food and shelter to those families, who have sacrified their lives for your sake in the battles. Are they feeling happy?
I hope you are not sending persons with evil mind, thieves, greedy people, and pesons who are joining hands with your enemies, cowards, bad characters, for discharing administrative duties?
Is your country is free from thefts? Are your security personnel who are greedy for money, taking bribes from criminals and leaving them free and protecting them?
(How Narada predicted in those days, the day to day activity of the present day Police Personnel?).
Dharmajaa! whether all the tanks in your country are filled with water? I think there is no scarcity of water both for drinking and agricultural purposes?
(Nowadays, all the tanks are transgressed, converted into house plots, buildings are constructed and whenever there are heavy rains and floods, all the buildings are inundated and people are in neck deep water for days together).
Dharmajaa! are you liberally supplying seeds to all the poor farmers for raising crops?
Are you extending loans to citizens and farmers at the rate of one percent ?
Dharmajaa! are you extending help to handicapped like blind, deaf and dumb and also orphans and maintaining them carefully?
Are you extending omnesty to your enemy soldiers who are captued in war?
Are you recognizing persons who extended their help to you?
Dharmaja! do you know that only one-fourth, or one-third or atleast only half of the revenues should be spent and the remaining half shall be kept as reserve?
(Nowadays, deficit budget, worldbank loans are quite common for our country).
Dharmajaa! have you employed persons with good virtues and trustworthiness in Treasuries, Banks and Defence sectors and armoury..
(The recent tehelka scandal in defence sector, story of Bangaru Lakshman, the greediness of Natwarsingh and his son are India's current affairs).
Dharmajaa! are you taking care of senior citizens, retired teachers, sculptors, great businessmen and extending help to them for their livelihood in their old age?
Are you conducting assembly daily with your ministers, army generals and discussing about important problems?
(In the live telecast of parliament and assembly proceedings, we generally find three-fourth of the house vacant and the remaining one fourth will be drousing, while only few were discussing important issues)
Dharmaja! are you protecting yourself, from the internal disturbances and outside aggresion, and are you keenly observing the movements of your enemies through your spies.
Are you administering justice to one and all without illwill or favour, without any partiality or partisan attitude.
Dharmajaa! are you collecting uptodate news regularly and running the administration efficiently?
Dhamaja! whether all the regions, countries and forts under your control are filled with food grains, arms and ammunition, army, other groceries, drinking water, and fuel in abundance.
Whether all the forts under your control are fortified and could not be attacked by your enemies?
Whether you have conquered your inner enemies like kaama(lust) krOdha(anger), lObha(greediness), mOha(delusion), mada(pride and arrogance), maatsarya (envy and jealousy), and keeping yourself under control?
Whether you conquered your enemies who are more jealous, filled with pride, and inimically disposed towards you always?
Dharmajaa! before waging a war, are you trying all the possible methods for maintaining peace?

{Here Narada told Dharmaja about 14 don'ts (things not to be done) in detail.}
1.King should not be a non-believer in God.
2.King should not be a lier.
3.King should not be lethargic (noticing dangers at late hour).
4.King should not allow flatterers and useless fellows around him for important discussions.
5.King should not get anger unnecessarily.
(Our political leaders are scolding IAS officers and other officials in public in filthy language)
6.King should not allow Execution of works with abnormal delay and incurring additional expenditure.
7.King should not spend time unnecessarily repenting for the past events and deeds.
8.King should not ignore talented persons and giving them due recognition.
(Though reservations were meant only for ten years at the inception, it was being exended from time time for the last 50 years and still extending them even to private sectors; destroying the talent by appointing and promoting worthless persons under the guise of reservations.)
9.King should not think illogicaly while planning important productive works.
10. King should not allow delay in completing the public works within the stipulated period.
11.King should not leak Official Secrets and important decisions taken before they are officially announced.
12.King should not ignore implementation of social welfare projects.
13.King should not always engage himself in sensual pleasures.
(Nowadays, Involvement in Sex scandals has become a routine for political leaders, bureaucrats and highly reputed personnel).
14.King should not be lazy, lethargitic, evasive and reluctant.

(The above are the prime qualities of the present time political leaders)
(So far you have read what Saint Narada asked Dharmaja. In Maha Bharata story, there are characters like Sri Krishna who was well versed in political matters, and Vidura, an embodiment of morality and virtues. But Veda Vyasa selected Saint Narada only to put Dharmaja the above questions on politics. Therefore, Narada is not a humourous character as shown in in our films, a vagabond roaming from one loka to another loka, creating quarrels. Narada was a great saint and genious. If atleast half of the above principles enunciated by Narada are followed by our rulers, every state and country will flourish in no time )
King Dharmaja patiently and with great devotion heard what all that was told by Narada.
He obediently replied
"Saint Narada! I am running the administration following the existing Dharma. I never did injustice to anybody knowingly or unknowingly. Have you seen Maya Sabha. How is it?
"Dharmajaa! I have seen many Sabhas viz., Devendra sabha, Yama Sabha, Varuna sabha, Kubera sabha, Brahma sabha. But Maya Sabha is no match to any other Sabha. Maya Sabha is marvellous.
Once I visited Brahma Sabha. There I found Manuvu, Atri, Mareechi, Soorya, Chandra, Deva Ganas, Vasuvu, Rudras, Siddhas, Saadhyas, Maharishis, Aswins, Viswa Devatas, Viswa Karma, Pitru Devatas, Dharma, Ardha, Kaama, Mokhsha, Sabdha, Sparsha, Roopa, Gandha, etc., all the time factors in Kala cakra, four vedas. They were all serving Brahma.
In Yama Sabha I found your fore fathers Kruta Veerya, Janamejaya, Janaka, your father, King Pandu. But I found King Hariscardra in Indra Sabha." said Narada.
Now Dharmaja got a doubt "Saint Narada, How my father King Pandu was in Yama Sabha whereas King Harischandra was in Indra Sabha. Kindly explain" asked Dharmaja.
"Dharmajaa! Harischandra, son of Trisanku, conquered all the kings. He performed Raajasooya Yaagaa. That was the reason why King Harischandra was in Indra sabha.
When I visited Yama Sabha, your father, King Pandu, told me "Narada! all the kings who performed Rajasooya Yaga is in Indra Sabha. Hence I request you to kindly convey to my son, Dharmaja, my desire to perform Rajasooya Yaga and direct him to immediately perform Raajasooya Yaaga".
Therfore, Dharmaja, as per the wish of your father, King Pandu, you have to perform Rajasooya Yaaga and see that your father, King Pandu, finds a place in Indra Sabha." Then Narada left Indraprastha.
Dharmaja discussed this matter with his Purohit Dhoumya and other ministers.
"Dharmaja! as a son, it is your bounden duty to accomplish the wish of your father, King Pandu. If you perform Rajasooya Yaaga, all the kings will be under your control. Besides conquering other kingdoms, you can acquire more wealth also. Therefore, this is the proper time to perform Raajasooya Yaaga." said Dhoumya.
Dharmaja also discussed this matter with his four brothers and took a decision to perform Rajasooya yaga. He thought that Sri Krishna was the only person tobe consulted.
Dharmaja immediately sent his ministers to Sri Krishna to invite and bring him to Indraprastha. On arrival of Krishna, Dharmaja received him with due honours.
"Krishna, Saint Narada informed me about the wish of my father, King Pandu, and directed me to perform Raajasooya Yaga. I discussed this matter with my purohit Dhoumya, other ministers and my brothers and all are agreed for the same. I am awaiting for your approval." said Dharmaja.
"Dharmaja! I am very happy that you have taken such a timely and important decision.
In the ancient past, Parasurama, son of saint Jamadagni destroyed all the Kshatriya dynasties. After that, only two dynasties survived. Those are Ila and Ikshvaaku. Those are the prime and real Kshatriya Dynasties. The other dynasties are all subsequent creations. Those two dynasties developed into 101 dynasties. Another 14 dynasties were created from out of Yayati and Bhoja dynasties.
King Jarasandha conquered all these dynasties. King Sisupala, the king of Chedi, was the Army General of King Jarasandha. There were two mighty personalities called Hamsa and Dimbhaka. They were close associates of King Jarasandha. Their original names were Kousika and Chitrasena. They were the right hand and left hand for Jarasandha.
Chedi King, Purushothama, Anga, Vanga, Pundra, Kiraatha kings, and Poundraka Vaasudeva were serving King Jarasandha. The Eastern and Southern kings viz., Purujit, Karoosa, Kalabha, Nakula, Samkarshana, Soopakita, Manodatta, Chakra, Saalveya, Yavanas were also serving Jaraasandha.
The 18 dynasties on the northern side also were serving Jarasandha out of fear. The sister of Kamsa, whom I killed, was the daughter of Jarasandha. Hence, Jarasandha bore grudge on me. With the help of Hamsa and Dimbhaka, King Jarasandha could conquer all the three Lokas.
Once King Jarasandha, along with Hamsa and Dimbhaka, declared war on Madhura, my erstwhile capital. I killed Hamsa and Dimbhaka. Now King Jarasandha became helpless. Out of enmity with King Jarasandha, me and my brother Balarama moved to Raivatakaadri and constructed a fort there. Therefore, our primary aim is to kill King Jarasandha. Then only you will become an Emperor. You can perform Rajasooya Yaaga also. However strong he may be, because of his misdeeds, he should be killed." said Sri Krishna.
"Brother Dharmaja, we will get victory only after making proper trials. With the blessings of Sri Krishna, with the help of Arjuna and with your best wishes, I will kill Jarasandha" said Bheemasena.
"Brother Dharmaja! we will conquer all the kingdoms and dynasties and will perform Rajasooya Yaaga. Otherwise, our vigour, valour, strength, Gandeevam and Mayasabha are of no use." said Arjuna.
On hearing the heroic words of his two brothers, Darmaja and Krishna felt very happy.
"Krishna! how Jarasandha became so powerful, autocrat and unconquerable. Please tell me" asked Dharmaja.
Sri Krishna continued to say:
"King Brahadhradha was the king of Magadha kingdom. He married the daughters of King of Kasi. But he had no issues for a long time. Along with his two wives, he went to forest and visited the Ashram of Saint Chanda Kousika. They served him with utmost devotion. Saint was satisfied with their devotion and services and asked them what they want. Bruhadhradha requested the Saint to bless him with a son. By God's grace, a fruit fell on his thigh from the tree under which he was sitting. The saint chanted some mantras and gave that fruit to the King and his wives and blessed them with a son.
King Bruhadhradha along with his wives returned to capital. The king cut the fruit into two equal halves and gave them to his wives. Both the wives ate the equal halves of the fruit. They became pregnant. Each of them delivered half baby, i.e., if we cut the baby in to equal halves verticially, how it appears, like that; one eye, half nose, half mouth, one side cheek, half breast, half trunk, one hand, one leg, one thigh.
On seeing these half babies, both the wives were afraid and also felt ashamed. Both the wives wrapped the half children in a cloth and gave them to their servantmaids and asked them to dispose them off at the outskirts of the town.
Accordingly, in the mid night, the servant maids threw both the half children on a cross road, at the outskirts of the town. At that time, one demon called Jara, was wandering there in search of food. She found the wrapped bundles. She opened the bundles and found the strange children. Casually she held both the halves with her hands and just put them together. Strangely, both the halves joined together into one and transformed into a beautiful male child.
As a new born child, he began to weep. On hearing the weeping sound, Jara left that child there and went away. On hearing the weeping sound of a child, the people in the vicinity gathered there. On hearing the news, the king along with his two wives arrived there. He found the male child. He felt very happy on seeing the child.
Now, the demon, Jara also came there and told the truth.
"O king. I am a demon by name Jara. I am wandering here for food. I found two halves of a human body. Casually I held them together. Both the halves transformed into a child. As I held him while he was born, his body became strong like a diamond. Please receive the child. He is your son." said Jara.
King Bruhadhradha was very happy. He told Jara "This child was born with the blessings of Saint Chanda Kousika. With your blessings he transformed into a beautiful child. As the child is attached by you, he will be called with your name as "Jarasandha". Then Demon Jara went away. King Bruhadhradha along his wives and newly born baby returned to capital.
Jarasandha was growing day by day and became a mighty personality with great physique and valour. One day Saint Chanda Kousika visited King Bruhadhradha and blessed the child Jarasandha.
" Bruhadhradha, your son will become a great king and emperor with good valour and heroism. None can kill him with any weapon. He will conquer all the kingdoms and grab their wealth and kingdoms.." said Saint Chanda Kousika.
Then the saint went away. Later, King Bruhadhradha enthroned Jarasandha as King of Maghadha.
Therefore, Dharmajaa, only Bheema can kill him with his hands as weapons. You please send Bheema and Arjuna along with me. We will conquer Jarasandha" said Sri Krishna.
Dharmaja was very happy. "Oh Krishna, if you are by their side, whatelse I want. Jarasandha will be killed. I can perform Rajasooya without any hurdles." said Dharmaja. Bheema and Arjuna received the blessings of Dharmaja and followed Sri Krishna to Girivrajapura, capital of Magadha.
Girivrajapura was surrounded by five mountains like a fort. By the side of that town, there was a small hillock called Chaityaka. On top of that hillock, there were three large size trumpets. Sri Krishna showed them to Bheema and Arjuna.
"Look at them. If any stranger enters the city without permission, these three trumpets blow violently of their own accord and give signal to the guards about the stranger". said Sri Krishna.
Bheema undersood the situation. He broke the three tumpets with his hands and averted that trouble. Then they entered the city in the attire of Brahmins as Snaatakaas, not through the main gate, but through GOshaala .
( Snaataka means a well-educated brahmin seeking financial help from the king).
Jarasandha had greatest respect and devotion towards Brahmins. A Brahmin can enter the city and the king's palace without any restrictions at any time.
Jarasandha received the three Brahmins and offered them Arghyam and Paadyam. But they refused to receive them. Jarasandha entertained a doubt. "Are you really snaathakas? Though you are looking like Brahmins, I think you are not Brahmins, your physique look like Kshatriyas. Who are you? What made you to come over here?" asked Jarasandha.
Sri Krishna smiled and said "We are Kshatriya Snatakas. Friends will enter through main gate. Enemy will enter through back door. That is Kshatriya Dharma. We are your enemies. We desire to have a dual fight with you" said Sri Krishna.
"Oh is it. I never committed any harm to any body. I worship Brahmins, divine bodies, Sages and Saints. I am following the best Kshatriya Dharma. Why you have become enemies to me. Please tell me" asked Jarasandha.
"O Jarasandha, As per the directions of King and Emperor Dharmaja, we have come here to kill the enemies. Besides that, you just said that you are following the best Kshatriya Dharma. You are conquering all the kshatriya kings, imprison them, and offering them to Lord Sive as human sacrifice. Is it best kshatriya dharma? Is it not a sin to kill innocent Kshatriyas under the guise of offerings to Lord Siva?. Will Lord Sive satisfy with your offerings? Will those sinful offerings give any good results to you? If we leave a sinner like you, we will become sinners. Now we reveal ourselves. I am Krishna. He is Bheema. He is Arjuna. We have come here to punish you. At least, by now, mend your ways and attitude. Release all the kings who are in your prison. Otherwise, we ourselves will kill you and release those kings." said Sri Krishna.
"What? What you are telling? Is it a wrong to conquer the other kings and imprison them? Is it not kshatriya dharma? I brought them to make offerings to Lord Siva. How can I leave them? O Krishna. You know much about me. I am ready for war. If you have come with your army, my army will fight with you. If you have come alone, I will fight with all of you or any one of you who is equivalent to me. Come on. Tell. who will fight with me?" challenged Jarasandha.
"Jarasandha, it is not just and proper for three of us to fight with you. One for one is just. You choose one of us who can fight with you. He will have a dual fight with you". said Krishna.
Jarasandha chose Bheema for a dual fight. Jarasandha immediately made arrangements for the enthronement of his son on the throne. He got the blessings of his Purohits and other Brahmins. He was ready for dual fight with Bheema.
The fight began. Both were fighting fiercely with an intention to get upper hand on the other. The fight went on from Kaarteeka Sudha Paadyami upto TrayOdasi (i.e., 13 days). Jarasandha was very much tired.
Krishna observed this and told Bheemaa. "Bheemaa! Jarasandha is very much tired. It is a good opportunity to kill him. Use your full vigour and strength and kill him" suggested Krishna.
Bheema thought about his father, Vayudeva, in mind, got his blessings, held Jarasandha in his two hands, lifted him into air, threw him on the ground hundred times, broke his bones and killed him fiercely.
Bheema brought the dead body of Jarasandha to his palace and threw it near the main gate. Sri Krishna released all the kings who were imprisoned by Jarasandha. Sri Krishna consoled the son of Jarasandha and installed him on the throne of Magadha.
After conquering Magadha, Sri Krishna, Arjuna and Bheema returned back to Indraprastha and informed Dharmaja what had happened. All the kings who were released by Srikrishna bowed before Dharmaja and became his Samanthas. (Kings under his rule). Sri Krishna also returned back to Dwaraka.
Then Dharmaja sent his four brothers to four sides of the country to conquer all the kings on all four sides.
Arjuna, with mighty army, proceeded to northern side. Arjuna conquered King of Pulinda, Prativindhya, Akhila Dveepa Mandalaadheesaas and brought them under the rule of Dharmaja.
He surrounded Praagjyothishapura and declared war with King Bhagadatta and fought with him eight days. Bhagadatta lost his courage. He made friendship with Arjuna and paid royalty to Arjuna and became Samantha to Dharmaja.
Then Arjuna conquered Antargiri, Bahirgiri,Upagiri kings and received Royalty from them. He also conquered the King of Ulooka by name Bruhanta, northern Ulooka king, Senabindu, king of Devaprastha, Vishvagashva, King of northern mountains, Barbara, Sabara, Turushka King, Kings of Maalava, Poundra, king of Kashmeer and brought them under the Rule of Dharmaka and received royalty from them.
He then proceeded towards north and conquered Chitraayudha, king of Simhapura, all kings of hill areas, kings of Kaambhoja and Kataka.
He reached Mountain Meru in Himalayas. He proceeded further and conquered the northern Kuru Kingdoms and received diamonds, gold and other precious things.
Thus Arjuna conquered the entire northern India upto Meru Mountain.
Bheemasena, went towards eastern part of Bharat. He conquered the kingdoms of Panchala, Videha, and Dasaarna and entered Chedi Kingdom. Sisupaala, the King of Chedi surrendered to Bheemasena and offered Kappam (royalty) and other gifts to Bheemasena.
Bheemasena proceeded further towards east and conquered all the eastern kingdoms and collected innumerable diamonds, gold and money towards royalty.
Sahadeva proceeded towards south. He conquered Sumitra, Soorasena, Dantavaktra, Yavanas and collected royalties from them.
He crossed River Narmada and conquered all the Avanti Kingdoms. Then he fought with King Neela of Maahishmatipura. But King Neela instigated Agni and Flames of fire surrounded the army of Sahadeva.
The Saints who were hearing the Maha Bhaarata story asked Sooti "Why Agni surrounded the army of Sahadeva. Please explain". Ugrasravasu (Sooti) continued to say:
Once, King Nishadha, the ancestor of Neela, was ruling Maahishmatipura. At that time Agni, in the guise of a Brahmin Youth, was learning Vedas in Maahishmatipura. Accidentally, he had to have sexual intercourse with the neighbouring house- wife. On coming to know of this, the Rakshaks of Mahishmatipura caught him and produced him before King Nishadha.
Agni grew angry. He showed his original form of fire before King Nishadha. King was afraid of him and prayed mercy. Agni cooled down and asked the King "What do you want?".
King replied that whenever any enemy surrounded Mahishmatipura, his army should be surrounded by flames of fire and destory that army. Agni agreed for the same.
In return, Agni asked the King "O King Nishadha! the ladies in this city appear to be more passionate and are having lustful desires. Hence you have to bear with them. Even if they have extra marital relations with anybody and involve in debauchery, they should not be punished." asked Agni. King Nishadha accepted the same. From then onwards, debauchery in that city was not a wrong. As per the word given to King Nishadha, now Agni surrounded the army of Sahadeva" replied Sooti.
Sahadeva understood the situation. He prayed Agni with utmost devotion. Agni appeared before him. Sahadeva explained to Agni about Rajasooya Yaaga and the desire of King Dharmaja. Agni retracted all the flames and saved the army of Sahadeva. Nishadha made friendshp with Sahadeva and paid Royalty to Sahadeva in the shape of diamonds, gold, money and other innumerable gifts.
From there, Sahadeva proceeded to the Kingdoms of Rukmi, Bheeshmaka, Soorpaaraka, Dandaka and defeated them and collected Royalty from them. He also conquered all the Kings on southern coast. He defeated the Kings of Taalavana, Paandya, Kerala, Kaalinga, Dravida, Yavana, KarahaaTaka and collected Royalty from them.
At last, he reached the end of the earth. He sent message to Vibheeshana, the King of Lanka through his emissaries about Dharamaraja performing Raajasooya Yaga and about his conquering the entire southern part upto Lanka and requested Vibheeshana to surrender and paid royalty. King Vibheeshana accepted the request of Sahadeva and paid Royalty.
Thus Sahadeva completed his mission.
Nakula went towards West. He conquered the kingdoms of Mahitaka, Maru, Maalava, Barbara, Karbara, Saireeshaka, Dasaarna and collected royalties.
Nakula reached Dwaraka and sent word to Sri Krishna about his arrival.
Nakula reached Kingdom of Madhra and met King Salya who was no other than his maternal uncle. Nakula collected Royalty from King Salya in a respectable manner.
Thus Nakula conquered all the kingdoms on the western side and collected enormous wealth and returned to Indraprastha.
Thus all the four brothers viz., Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva conquered all the four sides of Bharata Khanda and collected innumerable wealth by means of money, gold, diamonds, vehicles and oher valuable items.
Sri Krishna came from Dwaraka to Indraprastha with plenty of presentations and gold and diamons and gave them to Dharmaja. Dharamaja was very happy.

He intended to commence Raajasooya Yaaga.
Dharamaja requested Krishna "Krishna, you are embodiment of Dharma. With your blessings I have become an emperor. I got huge, innumerable and enormous wealth. Kindly permit me to perform Rajasooya Yaga."
"Dharmajaa! Now you are fit to perform Rajasooya Yaga. Start the Yaga immediately. You can depute me and others for any works as you like." said Krishna.
After obtaining permission from Sri Krishna, Dharmaja started Rajasooya Yaga.
For making all preprations for Rajasooya Yaga, he deputed Sahadeva. A magnificent Yaga Saala was built in Indraprastha. Invitations were sent to all the Kings throughout the country. They secured all kinds of food items in abundance.
Accepting the invitation of Dharmaja, Bheeshma, Dhruta-raashtra, Vidura, Drona, Krupaacaarya, Asvathaama, Soamdatta, Karna, Bhoorisrava, Salya, Sakuni, Saindhava, Duryodhana, Dussaasana, Vikarna and others attended Rajasooya Yaga. Dharmaja received all the dignatories with due respect and made arrangements for their comfortable stay.
Dharmaja deputed Krupaacaarya for making charities to Brahmins and ritviks.
Bheeshama and Drona were deputed as s Chief Executives.
For organising and controlling the expenditure, Vidura was deputed.
Duryodhana was deputed as Reception Committee Chief for receiving all the presentations and gifts brought by all the kings.
On one auspicious day, Dharma Raja took "Yajna Deeksha" and entered the Yajna Saala.
Saint Paila and Dhoumya were fixed as Rigveda ritviks.
Yaajnavalkya was fixed as Yajurveda Ritvik.
Susaama was fixed as Saamaveda Ritvik.
Veda Vyaasa was fixed as Cheif Ritvik for all the Vedas.
Saint Narada and other Saints were Chief Patrons.
Bheeshma was acting as a Helper.
With the above arrangements, Raajasooya Yaaga started.
In Naimisaaranya, Ugrasravasa, the sooti ( story teller) continued to narrate the great story Mahabharata to Saint Sounaka and other sages and saints assembled there.
Rajasooya yaaga commenced. At the conclusion of the yaga, Bheeshma told Dharmaja:
"Dharmaja, now you have to honour and worship an eminent personality, a scholar, a virtuous personality, highly intellectual, a person who is liked by one and all." said Bheeshma.
In turn, Dharmaja asked Bheeshama "I do not know who he is. Kindly identify him and tell me. I will worship him" said Dharmaja.
"Whoelse is there except the incarnation of Mahavishnu on this earth. He is no other than Sri Krishna. He is a fit personality for this great honour (Agra Pooja) at the end of Yaga." said Bheeshma.
Dharmaja was very happy for his choice because he also chose Sri Krishna for Agra Pooja. Sahadeva brought Arghya to Sri krishana. Dharmaja offered Arghyam, paadyam and other honours to Srikrishna.
King Sisupaala who was present there could not tolerate this. He looked at Dharmaja and said:
"Look Dharmaja! In this gathering, there are many kings. Ritviks and Brahmins who are learned. But with the ill advise given by this Bheeshma, you are worshipping Srikrishna and offering him Agra Pooja. Is it not foolish on your part? Is Krishna fit for Agra Pooja? Bheeshma cannot think in a right way. He ill adivsed you. If you like Krishna very much, you can call him to your house and do whatever you like. But you cannot offer Agrapooja to Krishna here, on this occasion and dont insult the Kings and Great personalities who assembled here. Why, because, Krishna is not for for Agra pooja.
Dharmaja! I will ask you one thing.
Are you worshipping Krishna because he is older than all? Here, his father Vasudeva, who is much older than Krishna, is very much present.
Are you worshipping him because he is a great Ritvik? It cannot be, because, Saint Veda Vyaasa is gracing this occasion.
Are you worshipping him because he is a great teacher or Guru, your Guru Dronaacaarya and Kruaacaarya are here.
Or, are you worshipping Krishna because he is a famous king, there are many famous kings present here like Yadava Kings.
On what basis you have offered Krishna, the Agra Pooja?
On follow-ing the ill advise of Bheeshma, you lost your face in this gathering. Because Dharmaja is a great king and emperor, many kings have visited this Yaaga. But you have insulted them.
Even if you have offered him Agra Pooja, I do not know how Krishna shamelessly accepted it. You know, Dharmaja, offering Agra Pooja to Krishna is nothing but giving a beautiful bride in marriage to an impotent person; singing a beautiful song before a deaf person; and, showing a beautiful girl to a blind man.
Dharmajaa! Look! all are laughing at you!" so saying Sisupaala left that gathering.
Dharmaja followed Sisupaala and said "Sisupaala! kindly listen to me. Is it proper for a King like you to speak like that. Having known that Sri Krishna is an incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu, Bheeshma suggested him for Agra Pooja. How can it be a fault on my part? How can you under stand Sri Krishna more than Bheeshmaa. Is it possible for small people like you to understand about great personalities? When each and everybody is praising Sri Krishna as a Great Personality, how can you object it?" Dharamaja tried to pacify Sisupaala.
At this juncture, Bheeshmaa intervened and said "Dharmajaa! Sisupaala is childish. He is a bad character. Why you try to pacify him? After all he is a king of a small kingdom. For that he became headstrong. He accuses elders for no reason. How can he know about Dharma and Adharma. "
Then Bheeshma turned towards Sisupaala and said "Sisupaala! How can you say that Sri Krishna is not fit for Agra pooja. All the kings who assembled here are no other than the Kings who were freed by Sri Krishna from the prison of Jarasandha. If a person is wise and intellectual, he is fit for worship even though he is a boy and younger. A valiant Kshatriya is also fit for worship. Sri Krishna is a great intellectual. Sri Krishna killed a Raakshasa called Mura and got a title as "Muraari". Hence he is worshipped by one and all on this earth. Though there are lakshs of old and elder people, we worship only a person who is intellectually old. If you worship an elderly peson or old person, he alone will satisfy. But if we worship Sri Krishna everybody on this earth will satisfy.Yyou better know about it" said Bheeshmaa harshly.
Now Sahadeva rose to his feet. "We have decided to offer Agra Pooja to Sri Krishna. If any bad characters objected to this, I will crush them under my feet" Sahadeva rose his foot violently. All the kings were frightened on seeing Sahadeva.
One Suneetha, the Army General of King Susupaala made operations to wage war against Dharmaja by deploying his army and also the Kings who are allys to Sisupala.
On seeing these developments, Dharmaja was very much annoyed. He approached Bheeshmaa "My Dear Grand father, all the invitee kings are very much annoyed. Kindly pacify them and make them cool" said Dharmaja.
"Dharmajaa! Sri Krishna who is no other than the destroyer of all demons is protecting this Yaaga. Nobody can cause any kind of obstruction to this Yaaga" said Bheeshma.
On hearing these words of Bheeshma, again Sisupaala grew angry. "This old Bheeshma is praising that Yadava as God and the Pandavas as virtuous fellows. So, do they mean to say that all the kings assembled here are cowards.
Killing a lady who has come to give breast to a child, kicking a old rotton cart, felling a dried out tree, lifting a small bush---Are these the deeds of valour done by Krishna?
Do you praise them as heroic deeds?
Do you honour a person who killed a lady?
Are you not ashamed of it?
Your tongues should be cut into pieces. You old fellow. What do you think about you? You kidnapped a lady who fell in love with another, and forced her to marry your brother.
Because your brother knew Dharma, he left Amba and sent her to her lover.
You are issueless. How can you preach sermons to others? I know much about Krishna and about his past heroic deeds. Krishna was afraid of King Jarasandha and fled away ten Times.
Unable to attack Jarasandha, he took the help of Bheema and Arjuna and killed Jarasandha in the attire of Brahmins. Is it a heroic deed and valiant act?" said Sisupaala.
While Sisupaala was scolding Sri Krishna in such a manner, Bheema could not control his anger. He rushed against Sisupaala to kill him. But Bheeshma stopped him.
"My dear Bheema, killing Sisupaala is not your duty. Sisupala was born to Saatvaki and Damaghosha, with four hands, one eye on the forehead and with donkey voice. Saatvaki and Damaghosha was very much annoyed on looking at this strange boy. At that time a divine voice from space was heard
" This boy will be killed by a person, by whose touch this boy will get his normal body"
From then onwards, the parents of that boy were waiting for such a persoality.
One day, Sri Krishna and Bala rama went to see the boy. First Sri Krishna took the boy into his arms. To the surprise of one and all, the extra hands are vanished and the third eye dis-appeared. Sri Krishna is no other than the nephew of Saatvaki. Saatvaki prayed Sri Krishna not to kill Sisupaala until he commits 100 wrongs. Sri Krishna agreed for that. Whenever Sisupaala completes his 100th wrong, he will be killed by Sri Krishna." told Bheeshma.
But Sisupaala continued his scolding. "O Krishna, this brainless Bheeshma, these Paandavas offered Agra Pooja to an useless fellow like you. I cannot tolerate this. Come on. Be ready for a fight with me." challenged Sisupaala.
Sri Krishna smiled at him. He addressed all the kings and coutiers assembled there.
"When we were engaged in a war against Praagjyothisapura, this Sisupaala burnt out our Capital City Dwaraka.
While the Kings of Bhoja were spending their time with their wives on Raivatakaadri, this Sisupaala killed all of them ruthlessly.
While my father, Vasudeva was performing Asvamedha Yaaga, this Sisupaala stole away the horse.
This Sisupala kidnapped the wife of Babhru and married her.
But, asper the wish of my aunt, Saatvati, I pardoned him till he completes 100 wrongs. Now it is completed. Sisupaala is now my bitter enmy. It is now time to kill him." said Krishna.
Then Sisupaala again scolded Krishna "You bad fellow! Besides kidnapping the bride whom I intend to marry, Still you are shamelessly talking like this" scolded Sisupaala.
Krishna could not tolerate this attack any more. Immediately he killed Sisupaala with his Chakraayudha. The head of Sisupaala was cut. His body fell on the ground.
Srikrishna asked Dharmaja to perform the funerals of Sisupaala with all honours.
The son of Sisupaala was made the King of Chedi kingdom.
With the killing of Sisupaala, Rajasooya Yaaga concluded.
Dharma Raja gave enormous gifts to his Gurus, Brahmins, Ritviks and satisfied them. As per the directions of Dharmaraja, Bheemasena gave sendoff to Bheeshma, Dhrutaraashtra.
Arjuna gave send off to Drupada. Nakula gave send off to King Salya, Subala. Sahadeva gave send off to Dronaacaarya, Krupaacaarya, Asvathaama. Dhrushtadyumna gave send off to Viraata, Bhagadatta. Abhimanya and other sons of Pandavas gave send off to other kings.
Sri Krishna also took leave from Dharmaja and left for Dwaraka. All the Pandavas gave a warm send off to Sri Krishna.
But Suyodhana along with his uncle, Sakuni, remained in Indraprastha for sometime to see the gilmses of Mayasabha.
One day Suyodhana visited Mayasabha along without any aide. He was astonished for its amazing beauty. But he had some bad experiences.
In Maya Sabha the doorways are appearing as if there no doors. Where there are no doors, it appeared as if there is a door, as a result, he hit against a wall. There are some ponds built inside the mayasabha. But, even the plain ground looks like a pond and water in it. In fact there is neither pond nor water. Where there is really a pond with water, it looks like a plain ground.
Suyodhana walked on such a plain ground and fell into a deep pond and his clothes were wet. On seeing this Pandavas and Droupadi laughed. Dharmaja immediately gave him some clothes and ornaments.
Suyodhana felt ashamed of that. He immediately left for Hastinapuram. His heart was filled with jealousy and the magnifi-cent Maya Sabha became a heartburning for him. He was deterio-rating day by day.
Sakuni observed this. "Suyodhana! what happened to you? Why you are worrying like this? Why you are not talking with others? Why you are not attending to your day to day adminis-trative duties as before? What is the reason for your sorrow? Kindly tell me" asked Sakuni.
"My dear uncle! Have you seen Maya Sabha? Have you ever seen such a magnificent building anywhere on the earth? You have seen that all the kings on the earth were prostrating before Dharmaja and offered enormous gifts to Dharmaja. Now Dharmaja is an Emperor. When Krishna killed Sisupaala, not a single king objected to that. Uncle! I could not tolerate Pandavas enjoying such pleasures. Any king can ever tolerate his enemy's prosperity and his own degradation." said Suyodhana in a sorrowful voice.
"O Suyodhana! For this small thing, why should you worry? Take the permission of your father. The Pandavas' wealth will be yours in no time. I will make them to stand in the streets" said Sakuni.
Both of them went to Dhrutaraashtra. Dhrutarashtra heard everything.
"Suyodhana! Listen. I have given the entire the Kingdom and wealth of Kuru dynasty to you. Here nobdoy will object you. You are enjoying the wealth and pleasures equivalent to Devendra. All the kings are prostrating before you. Why you are worrying like this?" asked Dhrutarashtra.
"O father! you have not assessed the wealth of Pandavas properly. The wealth and pleasures of Pandavas are much more than Devendra. Their fame expanded to the four corners of the earth. When the entire Bharata Khanda is under the control of Pandavas, how can I tolerate this and remained like an ordinary prince. You know, my father, during Rajasooya Yaaga, I was kept in-charge of receiving all the presentations and gifts given by the visiting Kings. All the kings gave enormours and innumerable gifts to Pandavas. The entire wealth of all the Kings on the earth is no match to the wealth of Dharmaja. Even the Rajasooya Yaaga performed by King Harischandra was no match to the Rajasooya Yaaga performed by Dharmaja and lost its dignity. While Dharmaja was sitting on the throne as Emperor, Saatyaki was holding an umberalla studded with pearls, Bheema and Arjuna were holding the royal fans. Sri Krishna introduced all the kings and made them to prostrate before Dharmaja. Krishna, Saatyaki and Droupati were laughing on seeing our faces pale. It becomes unbearable for me to think about the wealth and pleasures of Pandavas for a single moment." said Suyodhana.
At that time, Sakuni intervened and said: "My dear brother in law, listen to me. Dharmaja likes gambling. But he does not know the intricacies in gambling. He is a plain gambler. I am an expert in gambling. I will defeat him in gabling and grab all his kingdom and wealth and hand over the same to Suyodhana" said Sakuni.
"My dear father, kindly accept the words of my uncle Sakuni and allow us to proceed" requested Suyodhana.
"Vidura got a foresight in such affairs. He is a well wisher of Pandavas and Kouravas. I will discuss this matter with him and take a final decision" said Dhrutarashtra.
"You are well aware, my father, Vidura got partisan attitude towards Pandavas. He will never agree for my proposal. Hence you have to take a final decision. Otherwise, I will consign myself to flames. You and Your Vidura will be happy." said Suyodhana with great sorrow.
Dhrutarashtra was in great dilemmaa. Any how, for the present, he ordered for constructing a magnificent Sabha building. One day Dhrutarashtra called Vidura and expressed the desire of Suyodhana.
"I will never agree" said Vidura firmly. "Why you are trying to create differences between Pandavas and your sons. You know, gambling will create enmity even between thick friends and persons with cool mentality. So try to develop friendly atmosphere between Pandavas and Kouravas." said Vidura.
"Viduraa! you are unnecessarily suspecting troubles. When yourself, Bheeshma and other elders are there, why differences will arise between brothers? Therefore, kindly agree for this game of dice. You visit Indraprastha and bring Dharmaja to Hastinapura" said Dhrutarashtra.
Vidura consulted Bheeshmaa about this. Even Dhrutarashtra tried to convince Suyodhana
"Suyodhana! Why you are insisting for this game of dice or gambling? It may create differences and ill feelings between you. It is not good even for the people at large. Even Vidura is discou-raging this kind of gaming. You are ruling this earth equally. You are having wealth five times more than Dharmaja. You also perform some Yaga and show your pomp to all. The kings will also give innumerable presents and gifts to you also. Kindly give up this idea" said Dhrutarashtra.
But Suyodhana paid a deaf ear to the words of his father.
"O my King Dhrutarashtra! To have a glance of Dharmaja plaing dice game is itself a Yaaga. That is the only way left to grab all his wealth. I will tell you one thing. Please listen. After you all returned back to Hastinapura, I remained in Indraprastha to see Maya Sabha. In Maya Sabha I experienced some unpleasant-ness at the hands of Pandavas especially Droupadi. She laughed at me when I fell into a pond by mistake. That laughing of Droupadi is still piercing my heart like an arrow. If we tolerate the prosperity of our enemies, it will destroy us. Therefore, we have to grab the kingdom and wealth of Pandavas by hook or by crook. Then only my heart will remain in peace." said Suyodhana.
Immediately Sakuni took the lead "Suyodhana, without help of any army, without waging any war, without shedding a single drop of blood on ground, by simply playing the dice, I will grab the entire kingdom and wealth of Pandavas in an easy manner and hand over the same to you. Except with dice game, it is highly impossible to grab the wealth of Pandavas, in any other manner. You need not worry about it. Invite Dharmaja for dice game." suggested Sakuni.
"Whatever may be your argument, I wont agree for this proposal. Vidura knows everything about it. He told me that gambling is disastrous. I will follow his words. Leave that idea and remain as before" said Dhrutarashtra firmly.
Suyodhana again tried to convince his father. "O father! I already told you that Vidura is always having a partisan attitude and always favours the welfare of Pandavas. How can he be our well wisher. Kindly tell me? Thsi dice game is not of todays affair. It was played in ancient times also. There is no wrong in playing dice game in a friendly manner. Kindly permit Sakuni to play dice game with Dharmaja. Send for Dharmaja from Indraprastha" said Duryodhana.
Dhrutarashtra was left with no other alternative except to heed to the words of his son, Suyodhana. He again consulted Vidura.
"Vidura we also constructed one magnificent building. You go to Indraprastha and invite Dharmaja and his brothers along with his relatives and friends, to visit Hastinapura to see our magnifi-cent building. You bring them along with you. Just for a while, Dharmaja may play dice-game with Suyodhana on the specially erected stage." said Dhrutarashtra in a soft voice.
Vidura again reminded Dhrutarashtra that gambling is disas-trous and creates enmity betwen brothers .His words were of no use. . In such a helpless condition, he left for Indraprastha.
Dharmaja welcomed Vidura with due honous. Vidura told Dharmaja the reason for his visit.
"Viduraa, my paternal uncle deputed you to bring us to Hastinapura. You have come. We will certainly come to Hastina-pura to see the newly built magnificent building. If it stops there, it will be OK. But playing dice game is not proper. On account of that, differences may arise between us. Anyhow, obeying the order of my paternal uncle is our duty. We are coming." said Dharmaja.
Dhamaja followed Vidura to Hastinapura along with his brothers and their wife.
At Hastinapura Dhrutarashtra, along with his sons, and elders like Bheeshma and Drona, Salya, Sakuni, Saindhava, Somadatta, received Dharmaja and his brothers. Dharmaja and his brothers along with their wife, Droupadi, sought the blessings of his paternal uncle Dhrutarashtra and aunt Gaandhaari.
The wives of Suyodhana and other brothers, were astonished on seeing the stunning beauty of Droupadi. They felt a bit jealousy.
Dharmaja and his brothers visited the newly built Sabha. After that they were comfortably seated in a big auditorium built exclusively for playing dice game.
At that time, Suyodhana said "Brother Dharmaja! I heard that you are an expert in playing dice game and you are very much interested in that game. Why cannot we spend some time by playing dice game ? said Suyodhana.
"Suyodhana! gambling that too a wicked gambling is not proper for Kshatriyas. It is a sinful act for a king to play dice game that too with wicked persons. In such a type of gambling any body, however expert he may be, he will loose his entire wealth and prosperity. But if dice game is played strictly according to rules and without crossing Dharma, it is not a sin. But a wicked game is a great sin." said Dharmaja.
Now Sakuni intervened. "Dharmaja! you are an expert in playing dice game. You are also worldlywise. Is it proper for a stalwart and a great kshatriya like you, to accuse dice game. It is quite common that while playing with experts in dice game, the weak players will follow some wicked methods. Still, if you are afraid of playing dice game with weak persons like me, we will give up this idea." said Sakuni wickedly.
Dharmaja smiled at Sakuni. "Sakunee! we are brought here by force to play dice game. We have to play it! Why talking un-necessarily. Let us start the game" said Dharmaja.
Dharmaja played the dice game knowing pretty well that gambling is wrong. He looked at Sakuni, Vivimsati and Citrasena, and Vikarna "Who will play dice game with me?" asked Dharmaja.
"Dharmaja! Sakuni will play on my behalf. If you win, all the bettings will be yours" said Suyodhana.
"What is this? Playing one for the other is quite improper" murmured Dharmaja. Anyhow, he proceeded to play the game.
First he put his diamond bracelets as his first bet. The game was continuing in a friendly atmosphere. Bheeshma, Dhrutarashtra, Vidura, Krupaacaarya, Drona were observing the game with broken hearts. Sakuni was using the dice specially prepared for that purpose. Sakuni was winning each and every game.
Some kind of greediness developed in Dharmaja. One by one he was betting and losing. The entire golden treasures, diamond treasures, other precious stones and metal treasures, horses, ele-phants, servants, cows, entire army, what not, everything he betted and lost.
Vidura became restless. He approached Dhrutarashtra.
"Listen! Duryodhana is a wicked personality. Due to his acts, the entire Kuru Dynasty is tainted with sin. Pandavas are not your enemies. Stop Suyodhana and save Dharma. Save the people on the earth. Avoid a great war between brothers. Your son is provocating Pandavas for a great war. Dont remain as a silent spectator. Stop this wicked dice game" said Vidura to Dhruta-rashtra.
Due to the undue love towards his sons, Dhrutarashtra remained silent.
Then Vidura approached Suyodhana "Look Suyodhana! If you grab all the wealth of Pandavas with the help of Sakuni in this wicked game, your subjects will hate you. Is it proper on your part to cheat Pandavas like this?" asked Vidura.
Suyodhana grew angry. "Vidura! Though you are in my house and eat and drink with our moneys, you always speak on behalf of Pandavas. You are a poisonous snake in our house. You better know that grabbing the wealth of enemies by hook or crook is Dharma. Dont try to preach morals. Keep quiet" said Suyodhana.
"Suyodhana! you always heed wicked ideas of wicked people. But it is my duty to tell you the truth even forcibly. I am telling you again and again. Enmity with Pandavas is not good for your health." said Vidura.
There, Sakuni looked at Dharmaja "You have betted all your wealth, moneys, horses, elephants, army, servants. What is your next bet?" provoked Sakuni.
Even by that time, Dharmaja became a slave to dice game. He forgot good and bad. He placed his entire kingdom as a bet and lost it. Then, he betted all his lands and buildings except those which have been given in charity to Temples and Brahmins, and, as usual, lost the bet. Then he put his four brothers as bet and lost them. Then remains himself. He also betted himself and lost himself.
"Look Dharmajaa! Why you betted and lost yourself in this game? It should happen when you have got nothing to bet. Is not your wife, your property? You would have betted her first and then yourself." said Sakuni wisely and wickedly.
Dharmaja took the dice in his hands and placed a strange bet, i.e., his wife and lost her. Then he stopped the game.
Bheeshma, Drona, Vidura who were observing these fast developments, remained speechless.
Dussaasana, Karna and Sandhava were in jubilant and in mood.
"Viduraa! I want a slave to clean my house. Bring the slave Droupadi immediately" ordered Suyodhana.
"I donot find such a fool like you anywhere. How dare you send me for this heinous work. You better know that Droupadi is the Queen of an Emperor of this Universe.Will you insinuate her like this? " said Vidura.
Then Suyodhana called one Pratigami "You go and bring Droupadi to this assembly. It is my order" said Suyodhana.
Acordingly, Pratigaami went to Droupadi. "Madam! Your husband, Dharmaja lost all his kingdom, properties, wealth and even his brothers and himself along with yourself. Suyodhana ordered me to bring you to the assembly. Please come along with me" prayed Pratigami.
Droupadi was astonished "Have you ever heard or seen any such dirty gambler who lost his wife in gambling? How Dharmaja acted like this? You are telling that Dharmaja betted himself and lost. Whether he lost himself before betting me in the game or whether he lost me before losing himself in the game. If you know about this kindly tell me. If you donot know, kindly go and ask that gambler to answer this question" said Droupadi in a choked voice.
Pratigami returned to Suyodhana and told him about the question of Droupadi.
"This is a matter which cannot be answered. Let her come and ask that question in this open assembly. You go and bring Droupadi here" again ordered Suyodhana.
"Madam, King Suyodhana ordered that you yourself should come and ask that question in open assembly. Kindly follow me" said Praatigaami.
Droupadi with a single garment came down to that assembly and stood by the side of Dhrutarashtra. Pandavas bowed down their heads, unable to see Droupadi in that situation.
Suyodhana grew angry. "Dussaasanaa! Go and bring Droupadi here" ordered Suyodhana.
Droupadi ran to the seat of Gandhari and stood by her side.
Dussasana was laughing wickedly. "Where will you go? Sakuni won you as a bet in dice game. Your husbands lost you in the game. You are now the property of Suyodhana. Come before Suyodhana" said Dussaasana.
"I am out of doors. I am with only one garment. Dont touch me. I cannot come before the elders. Leave me" prayed Droupadi.
Dussasana heckled at Droupadi "Whether you are with one garment or without garment I donot care. You have to come before the King. Otherwise I will drag you to the king." so saying, Dussa-sana caught hold of the tuft of Droupadi and dragged her to the assembly.
Droupadi with folded hands prayed all the elders in the assembly "This Dussaasana dragged me before you and insulted me like this. Is it proper? Is Dharma deteriorating like this" she prayed Lord Krishna in her mind with great devotion.
Viewing all these untoward incidents Bheemasena could not control himself. "Dharmaja! th entire kingdom, we four brothers are under your control. You betted the kingdom and your brothers in game and lost us. It maybe proper. But how can you put Drouadi, daughter of Drupada, as bet. Is it proper on your part? Because of that, she is being insulted before all. Knowing fully well that what is going on is a wicked dice game, you continued the game. For that your hands are to be burnt" told Bheemasena with anger.
Arjuna tried to pacify Bheemasena "My dear brother! Following the present day dharma that an invitation for a friendly game or a virtuous battle should not be rejected, Dharmaja came here. But fate reversed. What can we do?" said Arjuna.
Vikarna, one of the brothers of Suyodhana rose to his feet.
"In this great assembly, all the elders, teachers, and ancestors of Kuru vamsa are maintaining silence towards these untowards incidents. Atleast, the other intellectuals who are pre-sent here just think about it. Do you think that what is going on here is according to Dharma? " asked Vikarna.
There was no reply from any quarter. Vikarna continued.
"Now I will tell what is dharma. Gambling, hunting, drink-ing, over-eating – these four are bad habits. A person addicted to these four bad habits will always violate dharma. Therefore, any act done by the above addicts cannot be taken into account.
Here, one gambler (Sakuni) invited another gambler (Dharmaja) for gambling. The later gambler lost all his wealth including his brothers. He also put the joint property ( wife) which belongs to all the five brothers as a bet and lost it.
Is it dharma?
No. It is not.
It cannot be.
Besides that, it is unjust and improper to bring a lady who is out of doors and having only one garment, to a place where elders are assembled." said Vikarna.
Karna was annoyed about the speech given by Vikarna.
"Vikarna! you are a small boy. Why you speak about dharma, which nobody desires to speak. While elders are main-taining silence, youngsters cannot speak. Dharmaja lost his wife in dice-game. Droupadi is the property of Dharmaja. Therefore she was won according to Dharma. Otherwise, why pandavas accept this and keep silent. Droupadi got more than one husband. There-fore, she is "bandhaki". Such a lady can be brought to a public place even without clothes. There is no wrong in it. Therefore please keep quiet." said Karna.
With the words of Karna, Suyodhana entertained a new idea. "Oh. fine. marvellous. Dussasana. Take off the clothes of Pandavas and Droupadi" ordered Suyodhana.
Dussaasana lost his discretionary power. He was not in a position to think whether it is right or wrong. He caught hold of the phallu of the saree worn by Droupadi. He was pulling the saree.
To the surprise of one and all assembled there, only the phallu was coming out. The part which was covering her waist and below remained in tact. Several sarees are coming out and formed into a heap. Still the original saree remained in tact around her waist. Dussaasana ashamed of his act.
Viewing this unpleasant incident, Bheemaa grew angry. He rose up and took a vow "In the forthcoming war, while all these elders of Kuru Dyansty are viewing, I will kill this Dussaasana, who has insulted Droupadi in this public place, and pierce his heart with my hands and drink his warm blood. If I fail to do so, I was not born to my father and fore fathers." told Bheema in a forceful voice.
All the people in that assembly began to murmur that Dhrutarashtra did all this only due to his excessive love towards his sons.
Now Vidura rose and addressed the gathering.
"You all should think about the clarification sought for by Droupadi. This Vikarna, though young in age, spoke like Deva Guru, Bruhaspati. Even if you know Dharma, if you do not express it either with fear or greediness or expecting any unlawful gain, or for any other reason, it will be equivalent to speaking falsehood.
In the ancient days, Virochana, son of Prahlada and a poor Brahmin youth, Sudhanva were quarelling with each other, with regard to a certain girl. They both approached Prahlada for justice. Prahlada was in dilemma because his own son is involved. He consulted Saint Kashyapa.
"Prahlada! now you are not the father of Virochana, your son. You are a Judge. The duty of Judge is to do justice and follow dharma. If you fail to do so, you are committing sin. Not only you, the people in your court also will be sinners because they are not doing justice though they are capable to do justice. Therefore, you have to Judge the matter without fear or favour, Kama and Krodha." suggested Kashyapa.
Prahlada was very happy. Prahlada decided the matter against his son. Therefore, now, we have to do justice to Droupadi. Other-wise, we all will become sinners" said Vidura, keeping the long silence of Bheeshma in mind.
Having afraid of the King, Suyodhana, nobody opened their mouth.
Now Droupadi looked at the gathering and said
"I am the wife of five Pandavas. I am the sister of an Eminent Personality, Sri Krishna. Now I am insulted like this. Why you are not giving reply to my question? Am I a slave? or Not? Come on! Tell me !" asked Droupadi in a choked voice.
Now Bheeshma opened his mouth "Droupadi! The only person who can answer your question is your husband, Dharmaja and none else" said Bheeshma.
Now Karna intervened "Droupadi! Listen! Instead of having five inefficient husbands, one efficient husband is better. Is it not? Select one from out of us who will not again bet you in gambling" heckled Karna.
Suyodhana just patted his lap and winked at Droupadi "come on! sit on my lap."
Bheemasena could not control himself. He again spoke in a forceful voice "You stupid Duryodhana! with the pride and arro-gance that you are a king, you have winked at Droupadi to sit on your lap. Listen! Now itself I will break your both thighs with my mace and kill you. Mind it!" so saying Bheemasena, rushed towards Suyodhana.
Bheeshma, Drona and Vidura stopped Bheema and pacified him that this is not proper time.
Now Gandhari took the lead. Along with Vidura, she approa-ched King Dhrutarashtra and appraised him of all what had hap-pened so far and also the insult meted out by Droupadi.
Dhrutarashtra immediately called his son Suyodhana "Suyodhana! Insulting the wife of Pandavas is not proper. Pandavas are very much annoyed due to your silly and foolish acts. Stop this nonsense" said Dhrutarashtra.
Dhrutarashtra called Droupadi "Droupadi! amongst all my daughter-in-laws, you are the most respectable lady. Ask me What do you want ?
"First of all, kindly get rid of my husband, Dharmaja, from slavery." asked Droupadi.
"Yes. Granted. What is your next wish?" asked Dhrutarashtra.
"Please also relieve his four brothers from slavery and restore them to their original positions, and return their arms and residences.." asked Droupadi.
"Yes. That is also granted. What is your next wish?" asked Dhrutarashtra.
"A vysya lady can ask once; a kshatriya lady can ask twice; a Soodra lady can ask thrice. Therefore, I cannot ask again" said Droupadi.
Dhrutarashtra was very happy for the virtuous behaviour of Droupadi. He called Dharmaja, and his brothers. Dhrutarashtra res-tored the entire kingdom, wealth, houses, landed property, gold, diamonds, pearls and all treasures lost by them during the dice game.
"Dharmaja, foolishly I supported this dice game. I am old and feeble minded. Having seen the face of me and my wife Gandhari, dont keep in mind the foolish acts of my son. Kindly go back to Indraprastha and rule your Kingdom peacefully.God bless you." said Dhrutarashtra.
Bheema was not happy with this development. "There is no other sad state of affair in this world except saying that Pandavas are ruling the kingdom got at the mercy of their wife. It is better to fight with Kouravas and got back our Kingdom after defeating them in war." thought Bheemasena. All of them returned back to Indraprastha.
In Hastinapuram, Suyodhana was not happy with the later developments. He consulted Karna and Sakuni. He again approached his father, Dhrutarashtra.
"My dear father! As per the words of Bruhaspati, Deva Guru, doing away with enemies is Dharma. Pandavas are our enemies. What ever good we do for them, we are bad in their looks. We committed a great blunder by releasing them from slavery. If Arjuna with Gaandeeva, Bheema with his mace, and Nakula and Sahadeva with their swords, stand before us. it is highly difficult to defeat them. Therefore, dice game is the only solution to defeat them. Kindly send invitation to Dharmaja again for dice game. We will defeat them and make them homeless." requested Suyodhana.
For some reason or the other, Dhrutarashtra agreed for the same. He extended invitation to Dharmaja through Pratigaami.
For the same reason that if invited by Paternal Uncle, we should not disobey, Dharmaja along with his brothers and wife visited Hastinapuram.
All sat down for playing dice game.
This time Sakuni played another trick.
"Dharmaja! King Dhrutarashtra gave back all your King-dom and wealth lost by you in the dice game. Now you cannot again put them as bet. Therefore, let us have a variety bet.
Those who are defeated in the dice game, should relinquish the worldly pleasures, wear clothes made up of fibre, and live in forest for a period of 12 years. After that they can live in any city but spend underground life, without being identified by any body. If they are once identified, they have to again ungergo living in forest for another 12 years and another one year underground life. If you agree for this , we can commence the game" said Sakuni.
Dharmaja agreed for this strange bet. He played the game and lost it in no time. Pandavas were ready to go to forest.
They took leave from Bheeshma, Drona, Krupaacaarya. They went to their mother Kunti.
"O my sons! what is this? Am I living only to see your fate like this? Unable to bear this, Your father and mother Madri pro-ceeded to heavens much earlier. I am an unfortunate lady remained on this earth to see all these happenings. O Lord Krishna! Save my sons" she prayed. She blessed her sons and daughter in law.
Pandavas were walking through the streets of Hastinapura. Dharmaja covered his face with upper cloth, thinking that the peo-ple of Hastina will be burnt away by his fierciful looks. Bheema was keeing his mace on his shoulder and walking straight thinking that with this, he got an opportunity to kill his enemies in war.
Arjuna was walking with anger, sprinkling sand on earth, resembling that he will shower arrows on his enemies like sand. Nakula and Sahadeva were walking in the streets with muddy bodies.
Droupadi accompanied her husbands with a sorrowful face, thinking that the wives of Kouravas also will meet the same fate after losing their husbands in the final war. Dhoumya, the Purohit of Pandavas, and Brahmins, chanting Vedas, thousands in number, accompanied Pandavas.
In this manner, Pandavas proceeded to forest.
With the blessings of God, The Almighty, I have completed Mahabharat, Sabha Parva. After completing Sabha parva, knowingly or unknowingly, I intend to write an analysis, on the role of Dharmaja and Sakuni. If you accept it, kindly send me a word of appreciation; otherwise, just ignore it.
In Sabha Parva, there are Two Sabhas. One is Maya Sabha built by Maya, the Great Sculptor and the other which was got constructed by Dhrutarashtra to satisfy his son, Duryodhana, where the dice play was conducted between Dharmaja and Sakuni.
Sabha, in common parlance, means a place where people gather and discuss important matters. In England, there are Two Sabhas. One is House of Commons and the other is House of Lords. Similarly, in India, there are Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
But here in Mahabharat, Maya Sabha means a huge, magnificent building built by Maya in Indra Prastha. The other is in Hastinapura got built by Dhrutarashtra for the purpose of inviting Dharmaja for dice play. These two Sabhas are most important in Mahabharat. Without these two buildings, the story of Mahabharat would not have proceeded further. The Maha Bharat story would have been concluded with the performance of Rajasuya Yaga by Dharmaja.
On completionof Rajasuya Yaga, all the dignatories have departed to their original places. But Suyodhana remained in Indra Prastha along with Sakuni, to see the glimpses of Maya Sabha.
He visited Maya Sabha alone. He was insulted there. Besides that, Suyodhana was kept in charge of Reception Committee to receive all the gifts and presentations brought by all the kings. He felt jealousy on looking at the enormous wealth like gold, silver, pearls, diamonds, etc., etc., given by all the Kings.
In Raja Suya Yaga, all the kings prostrated before Dharmaja and their crowns touched the feet of Dharmaja. Suyodhana could not tolerate this. How two emperors could survive in one Country? He wanted to grab all the wealth of Pandavas. He wanted to teach a lesson to Pandavas especially to Droupadi, for the insult caused to him in Maya Sabha.
Sakuni added fuel to fire. As a result, Dharmaja was invited to play dice game at Hastinapura. Dharmaja lost all his wealth and kingdom including his beloved brothers and their wife. Droupadi was insulted in the Sabha in Hastinapura. At last, Pandavas along with Droupadi were sent to forests.
Now we will see how the dice game was conducted.
Why Dharmaja accepted to play dice game?
At the inception, Dharmaja did not like to play dice game because it was not Kshatriya Dharma. If kings indulge in dice game, it is a sin. That was his original opinion. Again he changed his opinion. If the dice game is played according to rules and regulations, it is like waging a Dharma Yudha. (a war following rules and regulations strictly). Dharmaja quoted a citation of Devala. Hence he supported Dice game but with rules.
(Even today, Rammi, cards game, is considered to be a game of skill. But if it is played with betting it is a crime).
But Dharmaja was hesitating to take part in Dice Game. Sakuni provocated him. "If you are not dare enought to play dice game, you can withdraw". "Once invited to play dice game it is not proper to go back" thought Dharmaja. He played the game.
Therefore, at first, Dharmaja did not like to participate in dice game. Slowly he changed his opinion. He was procovated by Sakuni. Hence reluctantly he took part in the game. That may be so.
How the Dice Game was played?
There are to participants. One is Dharmaja and the other is Suyodhana. But Sakuni is playing on behalf of Suyodhana. Dharmaja knew that according to Dharma, it was not correct. Still, Dharmaja continued the game with reluctance. He didnot express any protest that that was not correct and proper. Was Dharmaja addicted to the vice of Dice game?
Dice Game continued. Sakuni won the first game. "Look, I will defeat you?" thought Dharmaja in mind. Dharmaja continued the game with a kind of challenge.
Generally, a common man, if he loses one game, he feels false prestige. He challenges his opponent"Come on I will defeat you".. Here Dharmaja also behaved like a common man. Was it proper for Dharmaja, an embodiment of Dharma, to behave like that?
Dharmaja was betting and losing one by one. Still he continued the game.He did not think it proper to stop the game. Why?
In common parlance, while playing cards also, if one player was suffering with losing hand, he will stop the game for the present. Similarly, in stock market also, a trader will buy a share for certain amount and put stop loss to minimise the loss, in case the rate falls suddenly. It appears that Dharmaja was not having this much of common sense while playing dice game with Sakuni.
What we deduce from out of this? By that time, Dharmaja learnt some Dharma Sutras. He knows them. But he did not try to put them in action. He was an ordinary king. While the flatterers around him praised him that he was an embodiment of dharma, he thought that he knows the entire dharma. Knowledge is quite different from practising it. Dharmaja had no self control. His mind was not serene between the opposites like joy and sorrow, honour and ignominy. His senses were not completely under his control. He was not having neutral mind. As a result, when he lost one bet, he put another bet. Again he lost it. Again he put another bet. He behaved as a common gambler. That may be the reason why Droupadi called Dharmaja as a "bad gambler" (kitavu) Kitavu means gambler.
Let us look at the political state of affairs obtaining at that time.
When they left Hastinapura for Khandraprastha, they were without wealth. They conducted Rajasooya yaga with the help of one and all and got enormous wealth and great kingdom. Dharmaja with one hand, lost all the wealth gained by his brothers, and remained with empty hands.. How they had come, they have gone in the same way.
Even when Narada visited Dharmaja and told him all the Principles of Dharma to be followed by a wise king, Dharmaja did not care them much. He asked Narada whether he has seen Maya Sabha? There is no better lesson than experience. Hence fate determined to teach him a lesson. Dharmaja lost all.
That may be the reason why Vidura did not say a single word to Dharmaja to stop the game. Vidura tried to convince Dhrutarashtra and Suyodhana? Even Bheeshma, Drona, Krupa and other elders did not intervene and tell Dharmaja to stop the game. Why?
At last, when Droupadi challenged in the open assembly whether she was lost even before Dharmaja lost himself or otherwise, Bheeshma said only few words "Only Dharmaja could answer your question and none else". It may be the idea of Bheeshma that when Dharmaja lost his entire wealth, kingdom, brothers and wife of his own misdeed by playing dice game, he alone should answer that question because he was embodiment of dharma.. What can we do? Is it still flattering or heckling?
Now we will discuss about the character of Sakuni, the King of Gandhara.
Sakuni is the maternal uncle of Suyodhana. Brother of Gandhari. The character of Sakuni entered Maha Bharata in Adi Parva, Panchamaasvaasa (5th chapter), in 12th prose. "Sakuni followed Gandhari to Hastinapura for performing marriage of Gandhari with Dhrutarashtra.".
Even after the marriage of Gandhari with Dhrutarashtra, Sakuni remained in Hastinapura. After a long time, Suyodhana, along with 99 others, was born.
An anecdote is appearing in some books with regard to Sakuni. Suyodhana imprisoned Sakuni along with his father and brothers for some misdeeds committed by Sakuni and they were offered a fistful of rice per day. The father and other brothers offered that little amount of rice to Sakuni and they all died without food, with the hope that Sakuni would wreak vengeance against Suyodhana. Sakuni got prepared dices with the bones of his father and played dice game with Dharmaja and won the game. But there is no basis for this anecdote in Mahabharata.
It will not stand for reasoning also. Because, after advent of Sakuni to Hastina, after a long time Suyodhana was born. After Suyodhana grown up and became youth, this might have happened. In Mahabharata, Sakuni was always faithful to Suyodhana since inception. Hence there is no basis for the above anecdote. That might be a fiction.
Sakuni was the King of Gandhara (now called Khandahaar). He left his kingdom and remained in Hastinapura. Why?
Since child hood, he was supporting Suyodhana. He was observing Suyodhana from his child hood. He knows that Suyodhana would be the future emperor of this entire Bharat. The Political situation at that time appears to be like this.
"Kuru" Dynasty was the powerful Dynasty at that time. By inheritance, Dhrutarashtra became the king, being the eldest. Because he was blind, his brother King Pandu was ruling the country on his behalf. King Pandu waged many wars and extended the Kuru Kingdom. For some reason or other, he left Hastina and went to forests and begot five sons, Pandavas. Later he died. Pandavas reached Hastinapura.
There was an internal fight for kingship. There was a partition. Dhrutarashtra allotted Khandava prastha, waste land filled with forests and hills, to Dharmaja. With help of Krishna, they burnt away Khandava forest and constructed Indraprastha and Maya Sabha.
Dharmaja performed Rajasooya. All the four brothers, conquered the foursides of Bharat and extended their kingdom upto Kashmeer on north, Lanka on south, Dwaraka on west and Chedi kingdom on east. So the entire kingdom was under the control of Dharmaja.
The kingdom of Suyodhana naturally became smaller. Suyodhana was jealous about Dharmaja. Suyodhana wanted to grab the entire kingdom of Dharmaja. He consulted Sakuni.
With this back ground, we can deduce some logical inferences.
Now the problem before Sakuni was who would be the future Emperor who was capable of ruling this entire Bharat?
Only two options are left. Suyodhana and Dharmaja. With a peer comparison, he thought, without any favour towards anybody---
Suyodhana is the son of existing Emperor Dhrutarashtra. Dhrutarashtra was the Emperor for name sake. In fact, entire administration was being run by Suyodhana.
Suyodhana was an autocrat. Cruel. Jealous. Always thinks about war and aggression by hook or crook. A man of vices. People were not leading peaceful life in his regime. He was not fit to continue as an emperor for the entire Bhart Khanda.
The second option is Dharmaja. He was good, intelligent. Studied jurisprudence. Acclaimed by one and all. He rules people with kindness by understanding their difficulties. But, while the flatters around him praised him as an embodiment of Dharma, he thought that he was great and knows everything.
Instead of making Suyodhana who was an incorrigibe as Emperor, it would be better if Dharmaja was made the Emperor, Sakuni might have thought.
Before doing so, it would be better if the entire country is brought under one umbrella. How it would happen?
Suyodhana was more powerful. He was having the support of his brothers 99 in number and Karna, the unconquerable. Besides that, Bheeshma and Drona are there. Therefore, it was highly difficult to grab the kingdom from Suyodhana and keep under the control of Dharmaja.
Instead, it was easy to grab the kingdom of Dharmaja and bring it under the Control of Suyodhana. Besides that, he wanted to test Dharmaja about his capability.
The insinuation metedout by Suyodhana and the jealousy arose in his mind, helped Sakuni to execute his plan. He fomented the jealousy in Suyodhana. He promised that the entire kingdom of Dharmaja and all his wealth will be grabbed without shedding a drop of blood and without waging any war. He suppressed the ideas of Karna who said that war would be the only solution to grab the kingdom of Dharmaja.
Sakuni knows that Dharmaja likes dice game. Sakuni instigated Suyodhana to convince his father, Dhrutarashtra, for inviting Dharmaja for dice game through Vidura. Dharmaja could not reject the invitation.
Dharmaja started to play the game and lost all his wealth, kingdom, his brothers and wife. But due to the intervention of Gandhari, Pandavas got back all his kingdom and wealth.
Sakuni might have thought that with this vice of dicegame, Dharmaja did not even hesitate to bet his entire wealth, kingdom, his brothers and even their wife. Sakuni thought that Dharmaja requires some improvement of knowledge and experience before becoming an Emperor to the entire Bharat.
In the present days, we have got Indian Limitation Act. If any body is in possession of any property belonging to others, to the knowledge of one and all including the true owner, for a period of 12 years, he will be entitled to the property. It is called the "doctrine of adverse possession". This was in vogue in Tretayuga for 14 years. In Dwaapara as 12 years.
That was the reason why Sakuni put the condition that who ever loses the game, they should renunciate their kingdom and wealth and live in forest for a period of 12 years. After 12 years they will lose their right to claim the kingdom back. As a precautionary measure, he put another condition of Agnatavasa viz., living in a city in disguise. If they are once identified, they have to again live in forests for 12 years. It is nothing but an "asidhaaraa vrata" (walking on the edge of a sharp sowrd). This will prove how Dharmaja would be very cautious and make himself tobe more intelligent.
On the other hand, the above condition was nothing but a death warrant for Suyodhana written by Sakuni, limiting his life and his rule for 13 years. That means—
It is certain that Dharmaja will lose his game and go to forest along with hisbrothers and wife. On completion of 13 years successfully, as they cannot claim their king dom back, the only alternative left for Pandavas would be waging war against Suyodhana.
Within these 13 years, with the autocratic rule of Suyodhana the people will fed up. The way he grabbed the kingdom of Pandavas will be known to all the kings. It will cast a negative vote to Suyodhana.
On the other hand, the behaviour of Pandavas and the woes they suffered in forest will be known to one and all. It will cast a positive vote to Pandavas. That was the plan of Sakuni.
Even after the Pandavas left for forests, Sakuni instigated Suyodhana for Ghosha Yatra thus created a bad image to Suyodhana as a jealousy man in the eyes of one and all, as he was not allowing Pandavas to live peacefully even in forests. Thus the entire sympathy of all the Kings was in favour of Pandavas.
In the meanwhile Dharmaja will realise his mistakes. He will learn many things under the guidance of great sages and saints in the forests and gained vast knowledge. He will develope serene mind, equal vision towards joy and sorrow and keeping his senses under his control, not influenced by outward attractions.
Arjuna acquired Pasupataastra from Lord Siva. Indra, the father of Arjuna, invited Arjuna to Indra Loka and gave his half throne to him, and sent signals to the kings and he was supporting Arjuna and Pandavas.
Sri Krishna gathered all the yadava kings and gained their support for Pandavas.
On completion of 13 years, there was a great war at Kurukshetra. Pandavas won the war. At the end of war, Sakuni lost his life at the hands of Sahadeva. The entire Bharata Khanda was brought under the rule of Dharmaja. I think that would be the vision of Sakuni.
Till today, India, the Bharat, is united. In this way, in my view, Sakuni's vision was fulfilled. Mera Bharat Mahaan.
Om tatsat. Om tatsat. Om tatsat.
Om Tat Sat

(Continued...)
(My humble salutations to Brahmasri M V Subrahmanyam     for the collection)