Wilfried Huchzermeyer - Studies in the Mahabharata

In the same way, during the dice game Vidura alone tries now to intervene on Yudhiṣṭhira’s behalf.74 But his efforts to influence Dhṛtarāṣṭra against Duryodhana are – as always – fruitless. He reminds the assembly of the evil omens which manifested at Duryodhana’s birth and quotes that well-known guide-line for safeguarding the harmony and survival of a small or big unit:

For the sake of the family, one should abandon a man; for the sake of the village, one should abandon a family; for the sake of the country, one should abandon a village; for the sake of the soul, one should abandon the earth.75

However, Duryodhana is quick to reject Vidura’s suggestions and secures his hold over his father’s mind with a counter-attack on Vidura:

You always praise, kṣattā, the fame of our opponents, while secretly abusing the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. We know, Vidura, on whose side you are, you despise us as if we were stupid children.76

So Dhṛtarāṣṭra does not heed Vidura’s warning and the game goes on. Yudhiṣṭhira stakes and loses all his brothers. Then nothing is left and he stakes himself. His words, addressed to Śakuni, reveal that he has entirely stopped being his real self now:

I am left now, cherished by all my brothers. Defeated, we will labour for you until we perish.77

Nala’s Dice Game

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