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196 much against the will of Indra, the god of Thunder and Rain. As Arjuna aided Agni in the struggle, this god gave him, as a reward, the great bow Gandiva and two inexhaustible quivers of arrows.

The Pandavas now dwelt in great happiness in a glorious palace, built for them by a Daitya, or Titan, named Maya, whom they had aided to escape from the burning Khandava forest.

Here Yudhishthira proposed, after a time, to celebrate the so-called Rajasuya sacrifice, in token of his power; but he was told by Krishna that he must needs first overcome and slay Jarasandha, the king of Magadha. A great conflict ensued, in which Jarasandha engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with Bhima, and was finally slain by him. The brothers then extended their conquests towards all four points of the compass, and on their return the Rajasuya sacrifice was performed with great pomp.

Duryodhana, however, who had attended the ceremony, returned to Hastinapura full of jealousy and hatred. In this frame of mind, he was advised by his uncle Sakuni to challenge Yudhishthira to a gambling match. No Kshatriya could refuse such a challenge; and Yudhishthira was fond of dicing, though he lacked skill, while Sakuni was an expert dicer and versed in unfair practices as well.

Accordingly the Pandavas were invited to Hastinapura, and Yudhishthira was challenged by Sakuni to play. In reply, he dwelt on the folly of gambling; but he could not refuse the challenge, and the fateful game began. Yudhishthira, no match for his skilful and unscrupulous opponent, lost throw after throw. Money, jewels, chariots, servants, and troops were