Q.- How did Duryodhana and Shakuni convince Dhritarashtra to play the game of dice ?
Ans: Duryodhana and Shakuni convinced Dhritarashtra to play the game of dice by following :-
1. Jealousy and Insult:After the Rajasuya Yajna, the Pandavas became very powerful and Yudhishthira was honored as an emperor. Duryodhana visited Indraprastha to attend the ceremony. There he saw their magnificent palace built by Maya. The palace was full of illusions—he slipped and fell on the floor, and Draupadi laughed at him. This incident deeply hurt his pride. Already jealous of the Pandavas’ wealth and fame, he now burned with humiliation and decided to take revenge.
2. Complaint to Dhritarashtra:Returning to Hastinapura, Duryodhana went to his father, King Dhritarashtra. He complained that the Pandavas had become too rich and strong, and their growing power was a danger to his own sons. He argued that if something was not done quickly, the Kauravas would lose their kingdom and status. Dhritarashtra tried to console him, but Duryodhana’s mind was restless with jealousy.
3. Shakuni’s Plan:At this moment, Shakuni, Duryodhana’s maternal uncle, stepped in. Shakuni was very cunning and clever in playing dice. He reminded Duryodhana that Yudhishthira had a weakness for gambling. He proposed that instead of fighting openly, they should invite Yudhishthira to a game of dice and defeat him with trickery. Shakuni promised that if he played on Duryodhana’s behalf, victory was certain, and the Pandavas could be robbed of everything.
4. Emotional Pressure on Dhritarashtra:When Duryodhana and Shakuni placed this plan before Dhritarashtra, the king hesitated. He knew gambling was dangerous and feared conflict between his sons and the Pandavas. But Duryodhana emotionally blackmailed him, saying that if his father did not agree, he would stop eating and even give up his life. Dhritarashtra, blind in love for his son, could not see the danger.
5. Dhritarashtra’s Consent:Finally, Dhritarashtra gave in. Shakuni convinced him by saying it would only be a “friendly game.” Blinded by affection for Duryodhana and misled by Shakuni’s cunning words, Dhritarashtra allowed the game and invited Yudhishthira to Hastinapura. This decision led to Yudhishthira’s defeat, Draupadi’s humiliation, and sowed the seeds of the great Kurukshetra war.
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