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THE SEQUEL TO DICING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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Short Essay Type Questions with Answers
1. What was Duryodhana’s opinion during his plotting with Karna and Sakuni?
Duryodhana during plotting opined that enemy-killer, enemies must be cut down by any means before they could do him evil, with war or force. He suggested that they should pay homage to all the kings with gifts obtained from the Pandavas’ treasure. If they then could attack them, they could not fail. He told his father that the Pandavas had grasped their swords, they had mounted their chariots and they were enraged. In their fury, they would annihilate them like poisonous snaked. Arjuna was going fully girt, uncovering his two great quivers, he kept picking up his Gandiva and looked upon him, panting heavily. Bhima had suddenly and swiftly raised his heavy club, and was fast riding out on the chariot he had teamed. Nakula had taken his sword and his shield with the eight moons. Sahadeva and the king had made their attitudes clear with gestures mounted on their chariots that was equipped with all weapons and whipping the chariot teams, they were rushing out to raise their army. They would not be able to bear the molestation of Draupadi. They must dice again with the Pandavas. Whoever was defeated must go into the forest clad in deerskin for twelve years. The thirteenth year they should live disguised among people and if they were found out again go into the forest for another twelve years. Sakuni knew all the tricks of dicing. Dhritarashtra should permit to roll again dice and they would defeat. If they survive after thirteen years they would vanquish them with their power.
Q. 2. Critically appreciate the defeat of the Pandavas of the second game of dice in brief.
Ans. Being defeated, the Pandavas set their minds on journing in the wilderness and one after another they put on clothes made out of deerskins. Seeing the enemy tamers, how they were bereft of their kingdom, how they donned the deerskins and got ready to depart for the forest, Duhsasana taunted that the wheel had begun of the great spirited king., the son of Dhritarashtra then. The Pandavas had been overcome. They had come to the direct travails. That day the God had come there by their smooth aerial pathways, for they were their elders in virtues, their elders and more numerous than they are. The Pandavas had been thrown into hell, for a long long time. The time was endless, they had been fallen from happiness and bereft of their kingdom. The Pandavas were power craving persons. They used to laugh at the Kouravas. They had to go to the forest wearing deerskins being defeated and deprived of their wealth.
Q. 3.What was Bhimasena’s and Arjuna’s resolution during departure?
Ans. Bhimasena, during departure, warned Duhasasana for his boasting, as rthe latter had won everything out of trickery. The former swore that he would rip open his chest and drink blood in the battlefield in front of all the bowmen. Then only peace would prevail in his mind. He swore he would kill Duryodhana, Arjuna would kill / Karna and Sahadeva would kill Sakuni. He solemnly uttered the grave word in the middle of the hall that the God should make it true when there would be war between them. He would kill Duryodhana with his club in the fight. He would push his head into earth with his own foot. He would kill that harsh and evil Duhsasana and drink the blood like a lion.
Q. 4.What were Vidura’s observations during the departure of the Pandavas?
Ans. Vidura, during the departure of the Pandavas, observed that Kunti, the virtuous lady must not go into the forest in her old age with her sons. Rather she wouyld remain with him with requisite honour and health.
He advised Yudhisthira that no one who had been defeated against the Law should suffer from his defeat. Yudhisthira knew thev Laws, Dhananjaya was wise in war, Bhima was the killer of foes, Nakula was a great collector of wealth, Sahadeva was a subduer whereas, Dhaumya is the most learned of those who knew the Brahman. Draupadi too walked in the Law and was wise both in Law and Profit. All these persons loved one another and always spoke kindly of the other. Being contented, they could not be split by enemies. Pandavas surpassed Pururavas Aila, with their ability they surpassed other kings and wit their obedience to the law they surpass the seers. He advised the Pandavas to set their mind on the victory that was Indra’s, on the restraint of their wrath that is Yama’s on Kubera’s liberality and on Varuna’s self-constraint. Yudhisthira himself was gifted like the moon. Vidura advised him to get his sustenance from water, forbearance from earth and all heat from the sun. His strength would come from wind and his own origin sprang from the elements. Vidura wished him good health and blessings. He wished to see them return, blessed and contented. He bade farewell to them.
Q. 5.Describe the scene of the departure of Draupadi and her farewell.
Ans. In the time of departure, Draupadi went to the glorious Kunti and bitterly grieving took her leave from her and the other women in the hall. In the time of her move, a loud lament arose in the women’s quarters of the Pandavas. Kunti, being blurred in pain, could speak in difficulty. She advised Draupadi that she might not worry in that grave trouble that she had found. She knew the Laws of women and she had manners and characters. She was sweet smiling woman. She adorned two families with her virtues. She found the Kurus lucky that she had not burnt them to ashes, Kunti said that good women were not timorous. Draupadi, being guarded by the Law of her elders, she would soon come to better times. She reminded her to look to her son Sahadeva when he would live in the forest.
Draupadi, spotted by the flowing tears and in her sole garment, besmirched with blood, she departed with her hair undone. She walked away weeping. Kunti followed her wretchedly. She saw all her sons bereft of ornaments and with deerskins, lowering their faces and mourned by their near and dear ones.
Q. 6. Briefly describe the lamentations of Draupadi during the departure of the Pandavas.
Ans. During the departure of the Pandavas, Kunti lovingly hastened to her sons, in the state they were in, she lamented a lot and piteously asked them and their kinsmen a number of questions. She asked them why should they been overtaken by misfortunes, when they should who had been ever adorned by their fortitude in a conduct that had followed the law. She again asked what that contrary fate was. Her third question was whose fault born from envy it had been that she then must see them so. She consoled that as they were the great men of virtues, it was her own fault to give them birth. She wanted to know how they should, devoid of their wealth, dwell in the impassable wilderness, lean of body without prowess, mettle, strength, energy and enterprise. She lamented that if it was known to her that forest would be their destiny in future, then, she would never take them down from the Hundred Peak Mountains to Hastinapur, after the death of Pandu. She opined that their father was lucky enough to go early to heaven before witnessing his sons’ sufferings.
When Kunti was lamenting the Pandavas, consoled her, bade her farewell and went forth to forest with joyless spirit. Vidura and others comforted her through various reasons and took her to the house of the steward.
Q. 7. How did Vidura explain about the departure of the Pandavas to Dhritarashtra? What was the reply?
Ans. When the Pandavas set out for the forest, there arose a great clamor of lamentation from people who thronged the streets and climbed the roofs and towers and trees to see them ge. The princes, who, rode in jeweled chariots or on lordly elephants to strains of auspicious music, now walked away from their birthright on weary feet, accompanied by weeping crowds. On all sides cries arose of: “Fie and Alas! Does not God see this from His heaven?”The blind Dhritarashtra sent for Vidura and asked him to describe the departure of the Pandavas into exile. Vidura replied: “Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, went with his face covered with a cloth. Bhima went behind with his eyes lowered on his arms. Arjuna proceeded scattering sand on his path. Nakula and Sahadeva besmeared their bodies with dust and closely followed Yudhishthira. Draupadi accompanied Dharmaputra, her disheveled hair covering her face and her eyes streaming with tears. Dhaumya, the priest, went along with them singing the Sama hymns, addressed to Yama, the Lord of Death.”
In reply Dhritarashtra opined that the Pandavas were going in many different postures they had assumd. He ordered Vidura to tell him the reason of travelling of the Pandavas in such strange ways.
Q.8.How and why were the Pandavas travelling in different postures?
Ans. In reply to such questions done by Dhritarashtra, Vidura vividly described about the matter Dhritarashtra’s son deceived the Pandavas with trickery depending on the deceitful connivance of Dhritarashtra They took all their riches and kingdom. Still Yudhisthira did not stray from the law. He refused to cast an evil eye So he departed with his eyes covered, being compassionate to the Dhritarashtras.
Bhima on the other hand knew that no one there had the same strength as he had. He being confident enough, went away with his arms extended wide, showed his arms proud of the bulk of his arms and always ready to get employed them in accordance with his arms might. The great left-handed archer, Arjuna followed his King while scattering about sand to forecast the number of enemies that would burn with arrows. His grain of sand were separated one another. He should loose severely on his enemies the showers of his arrows. Sahadeva travelled with his king without giving anyone opportunity to recognize him. He streaked his face on his behalf. Nakula was a very handsome youth. He should steal the hearts of the women in outlooks. He had covered his whole body with dust. He then followed his king. Draupadi was in her sole garment. She had disheveled hair and wept in her courses. Het cloth was wet and besmirched with blood. She, in accordance, followed her king, Yudhisthira.
Q.9. What do you think is the significance of the palace of Illusion “Maya” palace in The Mahabharata?
Ans. In the epic, The Mahabharata, the palace of illusion “Maya” palace takes a significant note. The palace was made by Danava Maya and it is a palace of illusion, where the Pandavas live. This palace of illusion reminds Duryodhana of his humiliation at the palace of Indraprastha. In the palace of Indraprastha, Duryodhana was mocked at by the Pandavas. Mighty Bhimsena, Arjuna and the twins burst out laughing looking at Duryodhana. He could not bear it and he tried to save his face and he did not look at them. Then, he once more pulled up his robe, as though crossing a pool, to ascend firm land and again that laughed at him. Duryodhana once tried a door, which appeared to be opened and hurt his forehead; another time, thinking the door was closed, he shrank from the doorway. Thus, he was humiliated and therefore the palace of illusion is a sign that makes difference between Pandavas and Kauravas specially Duryodhana. It shows that Pandavas are rich and wealthy and lucky by fate, where Duryodhana is nothing to them. This difference and humiliation make The Mahabharata jealousy and by the help of his uncle Sakuni, the game of dice is held. It is the significance of the palace of illusion “Maya” palace in The Mahabharata.
Q. 10. Is Duryodhana’s inanipulation of his father Dhritharashtra effective?
Ans. In the epic The Mahabharata, Duryodhana was jealousy of his cousins Pandavas and therefore he was humiliated in the palace of Indraprastha. So, he wanted to take revenge by defeating them in the game of dice, because Pandavas were undefeatable in war. Now, Duryodhana faces a problem that how he will tell his father Dhritharashtra
that he will take revenge from his brothers and so he will arrange a game of dice. So, he decides to manipulate his father. So, he goes to Dhritharashtra with a sad face and Sakuni tells Dhritharashtra that Duryodhana is very sad though he has all luxuries, because he wants the lucky fortune like Pandavas and also wants to live in a palace like the palace of Indraprastha. Dhritharashtra is impressed hearing the description of that palace from Duryodhana because he exaggerates the description. So, when Dhritharashtra calls on Vidura to know the final decision, Duryodhana blackmails Dhritharashtra and tells that he will suicide after his father will turn down. Then, Dhritharashtra’s heart is melted and gives permission to arrange the game of dice and he also says that his words are the final words and no one can circumvent it and therefore Dhritharashtra also says that he considers his words as supreme destiny. Thus, Duryodhana’s manipulation of his father Dhritharashtra is effective and Duryodhana gets success in it.
Q. 11. Examine the role of Shakuni in the game of dice with reference to the structures of power that operate in this context.
Ans. Shakuni is the prince of Ganhar. He is the cheating gambler and villain of the Mahabharata. He is one of the four wicked characters of the epic with others that include Dyryodhana, Dushyansana and Karna. The two episodes of the game of dice and the sequel of dice centre on Shakuni. Shakuni proudly asserts: “I am skillful at dice. There is none equal to me in this respect on earth, no not even in the three worlds”. Shakuni teaches us that the whole idea of revenge can actually consume an entire civilization, a whole order of things as we see at the end of the Mahabharata.
Q. 12. Examine the structure and the thematic relevance of the game of dice in The Mahabharata.
Ans. The Dicing episode provides a critique of the heroic ideal in The Mahabharata. If there had been no game of dice there would have been no humiliation of the Pandavas and molestation of Draupadi. Had these not taken place, the provocation for all the vows of bringing destruction upon the Kauravas and their allies would have been lost. Draupadi’s violent curses and Bhim’s vows of revenge are rooted in this episode.within the larger context of the epic there is a large number of characters who have to fulfil their destiny and it is the Mahabharata war, which will provide the
opportunity.
The question that often comes to our mind is why does the game of dice have such a crucial role in the Mahabharata? The game of dice is about Yudhishthira, Duryodhana, Sakuni and the loss of the kingdom, the brothers, and the beloved wife. The game of dice is a dramatic point in the mahabharata where Duryodhana and Sakuni trick Yudhishthira and the Pandavas into losing all their wealth and possessions, including themselves and their wife Draupadi.
Dicing is a part of the religious and cultural history of India. Gambling has two significances in religion. It is usually discouraged or prohibited. In Hinduism gamblers are associated with thieves, assassins and other dpraved characters. they are dangerous
characters utterly devoid of truth. Shiva and Parvati play dice and dicing is also a part of Deepawali, the beginning of the financial year in Hindu society. Dhritharashtra himself knows the perils of dicing. Dicing involves uncertainty, chance, and the vagaries of fortune the game of dice is representative of the challenges that a king must endure during his reign.
Q. 13. What does the Sabhaparva deal with in The Mahabharata?
Ans. The Sabhaparva deals mainly with the performance of the Rajasurya sacrifice by Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandava princes. The game of dice and its sequel are the chief episode of the sabhaparvamaeuvered by the wily Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas and its tragic consequences for the former.
Q. 14. Who is Dhritarastra? What role does he play in The Mahabharata?
Ans. Dhritarashtra is the blind king. He had his assistant Sanjaya by his side to provide him commentary of the game. Dhritarastra was fathered by Vysa. This blind king of Hastinapura was father to a hundred children by his wife Gandhari. Every time Dhritarashtra heard the dice roll, he eagerly asked, “Who won? Who won?” Every time, Shakuni won. Yudhishthira lost the whole treasury. He lost his army. He lost his personal jewels. Then his brothers had to give the ornaments they were wearing, and he lost them. These ornaments had not only monetary value, but were objects of prestige. Losing them was almost like losing their status.
Q. 15. Locate and annotate: “Don’t dice! and “Let there be peace!”
Ans. As Dhritarashtra seconded to his son’s proposal to the sequel to the game of dice, Drona, Somadatta, BahlikaVikarna, all of them said that would would be better to give up the trick for the sake of peace. Gandhari, tormented by grief because of her love for her son, yet yoked to the law. The quoted line brings out the significance of the game of dice.
Q. 16. Locate and annotate: “Such were the grave portents that occured when the Pandavas departed for the forest.”
Ans. The quoted lines occur in the Sequel to the Game of Dice episode of The Mahabharata. When the Pandavas departed for the forest, nature reacted strangely. The lightning flashed on the cloudless sky and the earth trembled. Rahu swallowed the Sun when no eclipse was due, and Meteors exploded widdershins around the city.
Q. 17. How did Narada react in the hall?
Ans. Narada appeared before the Kurus in the middle of the hall and amidst great seers he ghastly uttered that thirteen years from then the Kauravas who were there would perish through Bhim..’s and Arjuna’s might and Duryodhana’s guilt.
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