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3i6 CRADLK TALES OF HINDUISM brother of Gandhari the Queen, suggested that he should challenge Yudisthira to a game of dice with himself, he being skilful at play — and that the Kuru dice should be loaded, that he might lead the Pandavas to the loss of all their possessions under the semblance of a game. It was well known that the young Emperor loved gambling, though he showed little skill, and that a formal challenge to throw for the stakes was deemed by him as sacred as the call to battle.

The message was duly issued and received, and the Pandava heroes, with Draupadi, set out for Hastinapura, to play the fatal game. For a moment, Yudisthira was startled, to find, on his arrival, that Duryodhana himself would not be his antagonist. Then he recalled the form of the challenge, and realising that honour demanded acceptance of any odds, he staked and threw. Staked, threw, and lost, alas ! Again he tried, with larger risks. Then the fever of the gamester came upon him. It never occurred to him that the play was false. Again and again he threw, always with odds increased — and always the game went against him. till in one short hour he who had entered Hastina- pura as Overlord of all India, stood beggared and a bondsman, beside four brothers, who, with his wife, were all alike the slaves of Duryodhana.

It was now that the first of the Kurus committed his most unknightly deed. A younger