One of the worst evils in the world, even today, is gambling, betting etc. Even in very ancient days, king Nala lost everything because of his passion for gambling. A stage came when he deserted his wife Damayanti even at midnight.

All is lost

Dharmaputhra lost his wealth, his kingdom and faced a situation when he had nothing to offer as stakes. Sakuni said very cleverly, "Yudhisthira! Do you have now anything to offer as stake? I will offer all that my nephew Duryodhana had won from you as stake from my side. What have you to say now?"

Madness must have seized Yudhisthira now. He offered his younger brother Nakula as his wager and then Sahadeva, then Arjuna, then Bheema and then himself. He lost his brothers and also himself. They all became Duryodhana's slaves. The joy of the Kauravas knew no bounds.

Now came the most tragic moment in the life of the Pandavas. Yudhisthira lost control of all good sense. He just could not think cogently. He offered his queen as wager now, the one and only asset he had with him. The whole assembly was shocked into incredible silence.

Bharati's 'Panchali Sabatham'

In his immortal poem 'Panchali's Vow' (Panchali Sabatham) our national poet Subramania Bharatiar portrays the entire tragic and poignant scene most graphically. He calls the queen of the Pandavas 'ambrosia in human body, the fruit of Panchala's (country) good deeds'. The immortal poet points out angrily thus: 'Like offering sacred portions to a low-caste mongrel, like inviting a ghoul to reside in a golden palace, or crowning the loathsome owl with a costly gem-encrusted diadem, Yudhisthira, the son of Dharma, staked his queen as wager, and, woe betide all, none dared to question him!'

The poet moans: 'Is there a parent who would kill his dear child to make a pair of sandals for himself...' When Draupadi was won by Sakuni and lost by Yudhisthira, 'the Kauravas danced like a pack of horrible wolves' and what is more dared to proclaim 'virtue has won!' Can there be anything more tragic than this?

Sakuni was raised aloft and placed on the shoulders of the Kaurava princes shouting all the while most disgustingly, 'Wealth won from Yudhisthira matters not. This woman - object of lust - is our wealth now. Our uncle Sakuni is indeed our God. How can we ever reward thee, uncle Sakuni dear?" - This was Duryodhana's ceaseless refrain.

Sakuni's goal draws nearer

Sakuni smiled. He could sense that his own goal - the destruction of the Kaurava race - was almost within his grasp. Like the poet says, "How can we report all that happened then in prose or verse?"

We will cut the tragic episode short here. Draupadi was dragged to the court and, under the orders of Duryodhana, Dussassana attempted to disrobe her with the entire assembly impotently watching the entire proceedings completely paralysed. It was then Lord Sri Krishna came to her help and saved her from impending humiliation.

Dreadful vows

Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva then made terrible vows on the floor of the royal hall promising that they would kill Duryodhana, Dussassana, Karna and Sakuni in the most horrible manner imaginable. Sakuni knew he would also have to die. It mattered not!