The Game of Dice is a traumatic plug point of the grand Indian epic Mahabharata where the key antagonists Duryodhan and Shakuni trick the protagonists Yudhisthir and the Pandavas into losing their everything while playing the game. The game was used as for gambling where the Yudhisthir one by one lost his empire, then wealth, then his cherished brothers and at last, his wife Draupadi.
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The game
The game is traditionally called Dyut or Chaupar . It is similar to Ludo. The game however had different rules including staking wealth. Kshatriyas (those of royal families) used to have a pact that they can however never refuse to play Dyut. Hence this led to the fall of Yudhistir who could not leave the game mid-way.
Shakuni is said to have magical dices which fell according to its master's wishes. There is a conflict as it may be possible that he was a shrewd dice player and that his expertise on dices made him throw correct numbers.
The Dishonor of Draupadi
Draupadi, the common wife of the Pandavas was tricked to be gambled away by Yudhisthir. On losing her, she was redeemed of her royal Emperess status to a lowly slave status. Duryodhan ordered his slaves to inform Draupadi as to leave the Queens' chambers and relocate to Hastinapur's slave chambers. Draupadi who was menstruating that day refused to subject to as she was residing then at the Royal bath. Infuriated Duryodhan immediately ordered his brother Dushasana to drag her to the court. In the court then were present many of the revered seniors like the family's sire Bheeshma, the masters of the princes Drona and Kripa, and also the King Dhritarashtra. According to Indian traditions, it was highly offensive to see a woman half dressed, that too a royal lady and a Queen. Draupadi was the family's daughter-in-law. Therefore, it was an utter disgrace for such lady to be summoned thus in the court. She pleaded Dushasana not to touch her, but he dragged her with her hairs forcibly all the way through the palace. She was clad in an Ekavastra (one piece attire, a long saree without the other sub-cloths), stained in blood with disheveled hairs.
Draupadi questioned the assembly about her dishonor on which no one raised their voice. The learned Vidura tried to save her but she was mostly mocked over her chastity. The mighty Karna ridiculed "this woman however has many husbands, therefore it must be that she isn't chaste. Thus bringing a woman in an Ekavastra or completely naked makes no difference!" On this note, Dushasana forcibly disrobed Draupadi in public.
Draupadi's Grace and Seeds of the Kurukshetra War
Draupadi was however saved from being completely naked. She prayed to the almighty when she was being disrobed. Her saree never ended and at last Dushasana himself gave up of fatigue and shame. It is seen as Lord Krishna saved her grace by sending a never ending cloth.
This vile act of the Kauravas is still remembered and ridiculed as a proverb in the Indian society over the safety of women. The Game of Dice hence became the ground where the seeds of the cataclysmic Kurukshetra war was first sown. The then helpless Pandava brothers swore to themselves to avenge their wife's dishonor. The second Panadava brother Bhima swore to kill all the true brothers of Duryodhana (the 100 Kaurava brothers). Duryodhan had mocked on Draupadi showing his thigh (as an invitation for her to sit over). Bhima hence swore to break the thigh of Duryodhan. He also swore to rip off the arms of Dusshasan as they had dared to touch Draupadi's hairs. Draupadi swore to never tie her hairs until they are washed in Dushasana's blood. Bhima promised to bring her the bood of Dusshassan's chest. Arjun, the third Pandava brother swore to kill Karna who had dared badmouthed Draupadi. And lastly Sahadeva, the fifth brother swore to kill Shakuni whom he thought to have been the root of all the chaos.
Aftermath
The pandavas were sent on an exile of twelve years and an extra one year in incognito. In case they are caught during their time in incognito they would reprise their exile again for next twelve years and this cycle may go on. The Pandavas however successfully finish their exile and return to reprise their status as rulers. Duryodhan rejects to abide by his promises which breaks the Kurukshetra War in which the entire race is wiped out. All the pandavas fulfil their oaths and Draupadi is washed in Dusshassan's blood. Of the great war with millions of warriors, elephants, horses only ten people survive, prominently the five Pandavas who won the war. Yudhistir is then crowned as the emperor.