Duryodhana could not take it anymore. He had enough of seeing his cousins, the Pandavas, achieve victories whether is was against the king Jarasandha or Yudhishthira declaring himself a supreme monarch. Yet, Duryodhana had an evil plan to take back the spotlight. He and his cousins were part of the warrior kshatriya class and could not turn down an invitation for a duel. However, this duel would be different. Duryodhana proposed a gambling match as turning down this invitation would be as shameful as turning down a battle to a warrior. Thus it was settled. Duryodhana would invite Yudhishthira for a classic game of Texas Hold'em. However what Yudhishthira did not know was that Duryodhana had the most famed gambler on his side, Shakuni. Yudhishthira soon received the invitation for the poker match and was conflicted with his choices. He knew how easily he could lose his belongings, but also had to maintain his honor. Despite his hesitations, Yudhishthira traveled to Hastinapura to take part in the match. The Texas Hold'em game began upon his arrival, and quickly the stakes were raised. First Duryodhana and Yudhishthira bet all of the treasures each king held. The game began and Shakuni presented a Royal Flush. Yudhishthira knew he was cheating, whether by counting cards or using a manipulated deck of cards, but he could do nothing about it. The game had already begun. Yudhishthira kept losing round after round, forced to give up his cattle, servants, kingdom, and even himself. Finally he decided to stake his wife Draupadi. Shakuni began the round and then both players revealed the cards. Yudhishthira as always had a bad hand while Shakuni presented four-of a kind. Duryodhana was immediately delighted. Not only did he have all of Yudhishthira's possessions, but he also now had his wife. Draupadi was shocked, but Yudhishthira had already given himself up, so how could he give up his wife? She refused to come to Duryodhana and ran to Dhritarashtra for help. The King Dhritarashtra was appalled by what had happened and immediately granted Yudhisthira, his brothers, and his wife freedom.
Source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
Author's Note: I really enjoyed this story while reading the Mahabharata as I found it almost unbelievable that such great importance was placed on gambling. The warrior placed so much importance on the gambling match that turning it down was as shameful as not taking part in battle. I wanted to rewrite the story, but include more modern aspects such as having the gambling match be a poker game, specifically Texas Hold'em. The overall plot is similar with Yudhishthira losing, but I did add parts from later stories such as King Dhritarashtra giving the Pandavas their freedom. As you read on, you will see another gambling match that ultimately leads to the Pandavas' exile.
Source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913)
Author's Note: I really enjoyed this story while reading the Mahabharata as I found it almost unbelievable that such great importance was placed on gambling. The warrior placed so much importance on the gambling match that turning it down was as shameful as not taking part in battle. I wanted to rewrite the story, but include more modern aspects such as having the gambling match be a poker game, specifically Texas Hold'em. The overall plot is similar with Yudhishthira losing, but I did add parts from later stories such as King Dhritarashtra giving the Pandavas their freedom. As you read on, you will see another gambling match that ultimately leads to the Pandavas' exile.
Hey Neal! I loved reading this story! I just came from your introduction blog post so knowing that you are a psych major, and knowing your interests makes this read make a bit more sense! I really like having the perspective of getting to know our classmates before reading their writing because it makes things have a stronger understanding. Overall, awesome story!
ReplyDeleteNeal,
ReplyDeleteI thought your take on the story was really well written. If you would have given me a blind test and changed the name of Texas Hold Em to something else, I might have been inclined to believe that it was directly from the epic. I also found it crazy that someone would bet their wife on a gambling match. I don't know how I would react if I learned that I got my rights traded away because my significant other lost a gambling match. Overall, keep up the good work!