Shakuni Advises Duryodhana to Cajole Dritarashtra Into Inviting Yudhishtra For A Game of Dice : Episode 81 (21-09-2014)

Shakuni is busy playing a game of dice when Duryodhana and Dushshasana enter his chamber. Duryodhana taunts him for expressing mighty words of revenge-taking against Yudhishtra but doing nothing about it except playing dice throughout the day. Shakuni says that was the only way left to score over the Pandavas, as they cannot be defeated in a battle. As Pandavas were outside their purview, they couldn't employ other treacherous means either. The only way would be to defeat them in a game of dice.

Duryodhana is dubious whether Yudhishtra would accept an invitation for a game of dice. Shakuni assures him that Yudhishtra was very fond of playing dice game and would never refuse an invitation, especially if it came from King Dritarashtra, whose words he always respected. He then asks Duryodhana to hook him with a show of affection and pursuade King Dritarashtra to use threat of death, if need be.

Duryodhana asks his father what he thinks of the Pandavas, and makes DRitarashtra confess that he isn't very comfortable with Pandava's supremacy. Duryodhana admits that he is envious of Pandava's prosperity. He explains to Dritarashtra that unlike a Brahmana who is expected to remain content with the fulfilment of everyday needs, a kshatriya should aim to conquer the entire earth and should never rest contented with his lot. That is why Duryodhana aims to acquire Indraprastha and make it his own. And this would be possible if Dritarashtra agrees to invite pandavas for a game of dice. Dritarashtra is worried over what the world would say, but Duryodhana tells him not to bother about public opinion. Then he uses his ultimate weapon of threatening to resort to death if his demands for a game of dice with Pandavas is not met.

Vyasa, who has come to Indraprastha to attend Yudhishtra's Rajasuya Yagna, decides to leave. He asks Yudhishtra to ascend the steps to his throne. Then he tells Yudhishtra he has achieved the highest state in his life. One wrong step and he could fall from the great heights. From this height every word that he utters is powerful and can alter his destiny. Kunti understands that Sage Vyasa is indirectly warning them of certain future pitfalls and asks the sage to be more explicit. Vyasa says that knowing the future would be of no use since they cannot alter the course of their life. He tells Yudhishtra that in future the dharma that he holds dear may turn against him, but ultimately dharma will win. Dharma is the force that moves the universe and though its path is rough shod, it leads finally to an orchard-like serene destination. Then the sage takes leave of the Pandavas.

Sage Vaishampayana asks Vyasa why he was obliquely alluding to future. Vyasa says Yudhishtra would not be able to bear the harshness of the projected events, and that is why Vyasa chose to speak obscurely. He explains that Yudhishtra would be the cause for a war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas in which innumerable kshatriyas would be killed.

King Dritarashtra is conferring with Bhishma and Shakuni. Shakuni suggests that they should try to repair the impaired relations with the Pandavas. For this, they could invite the Pandavas for a royal feast and shower them with gifts, after which they could entertain them with a game of dice. Bhishma protests that the gambling game of dice was the precursor of destruction and should never be resorted to. Gandhari supports him, but Duryodhana questions the fear that a pair of dice can destroy the military might of the Pandavas. Bhishma leaves after reiterating his stand against the game. Dritarashtra, however, acquiesces to Duryodhana's proposal for the game of dice between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

Draupadi and Bhima approach Krishna. Draupadi expresses her concern that her laughter has enraged Duryodhana and could cause serious repercussions, as warned by Sahadeva. Krishna teases her saying she should have asked him before her laughter. Every action had a reaction and one must be prepared to face it. Bhima says that Krishna's act of asking Mayan to build the magical sabha was the cause of Duryodhana's slip and the subsequent laughter of Draupadi. Krishna says he had warned not to save the asura architect Mayan from fire, but Arjuna paid no heed to his advice.

Shakuni and Duryodhana are discussing with Dritarashtra about building a new stadium that would rival the mayan's sabha of the Pandavas built by the Deva's architect Vishwakarma and Asura's architect Mayan. This would give them the excuse to invite the Pandavas, as they could not simply invite them for a game of dice. Shakuni instructs a minister with building a new stadium with thousand pillars and hundred gates, the doors of which should be studded with rare gems and have hitherto unseen rare features. Dritarashtra expresses his uneasiness over the constant twitching of his left eye ever since they visited the Indraprastha and wonders whether building a stadium and inviting the Pandavas to witness it is indeed necessary, but Shakuni and Duryodhana try to quell his fear.

Vidura meets Dritarashtra who has invited him for a discussion. Dritarashtra tells Vidura to go to Indraprastha to invite Pandavas for a stay at the new stadium at Hastinapur and enjoy their hospitality. When Dritarashtra mentions the game of dice to be played between the Pandavas and Kauravas, Vidura is alarmed, and he dissuades Dritarashtra, citing that this could have disastrous repercussions for Hastinapur. Dritarashtra shuts his advice by issuing the order as a king's command that had no appeal.

Rukmini and Revati (Balarama's wife) are offering prayer to God. Revati assures Rukmini that Krishna would return soon, after wiping himself clean from the charge of theft of Shyamantaka gem. Balarama informs Rukmini about the return of Krishna. Rukmini rushes out of the Puja room, only to find Krishna with another woman, and both are garlanded.