Dharmaputra
returned to Hastinapura and set again for a game with Sakuni, though everyone in the
assembly tried todissuade him.
He seemed a mere pawn moved by Kali to relieve
the burden of the world.
The stake played for was that the defeated
party should go with his brothers into exile to the forest and remain there for twelve
years and spend the thirteenth year incognito; if they were recognised in the thirteenth
year, they should go again into exile for twelve years.
Needless to say, Yudhishthira met with defeat
on this occasion also, and the Pandavas took the vows of those who are to go to the
forest.
All the members of the assembly bent down their
heads in shame. |