Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabarta, Part B

Part B of the reading starts with a conversation between Duryodhana and his father. They are discussing the Pandavas, who have just married Draupadi, the daughter of Drupada. Duryodhana, who thought that the Pandavas had been killed when their house was set on fire, is quite mad when he learns that they are still alive. He and his father disagree as to how to handle the situation. Dhritarashtra does not hate the Pandavas and wants to bring them back, so he gives them land in his kingdom. This difference between Duryodhana and his father is a major focal point. Duryodhana wants to crush the Pandavas, so he tries to circumvent his father.

Duryodhana is made fun of by the Pandavas when he is in their palace and is tricked by the optical illusions that they have placed there. This only fuels his anger for them more and he schemes to destroy them. He and Shakuni plot to use gambling to destroy the Pandavas. They challenge Yudishthira to a game of dice, and he accepts because for some reason it is dishonorable to not gamble, which does not make much sense. It is honestly a pretty weird plot point and kind of makes the developments very cheap. The dice game does work in favor of Duryodhana and Shakuni, and they strip everything from the Pandavas. Dhritarastra restores everything to the Pandavas because his son treats them so poorly after winning. Specifically, Duryodhana severely disrespects Draupadi, and Dhritarastra gives her wishes.

Duryodhana, who still wants to destroy the Pandavas, challenges them to another dice game, and instead of taking everything from them, forces them into exile for thirteen years. The Pandavas leave and go to the banks of the Ganges. The Pandavas pray to the gods and are granted divine weapons which they plan to use to destroy their cousins.

Arjuna. Source
Bibliography
R.K. Narayan. Mahabharata. Kindle

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