Studies in the Mahabharata. Wilfried Huchzermeyer

stake and lose rapidly all his wealth. His rational mind is no more active from this moment onwards; he seems only to be in a haste to be devoured by the spider in whose net he has been caught. Even while he is thus gambling away all his possessions, the embarrassed Kuru elders look on impassively and nobody tries to come to his rescue - except Vidura.

      Iravati Karve has pointed out in Yugānta72 that Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s half-brother may actually have been Yudhiṣṭhira’s real physical father – a thesis which is well supported by several passages in the text.73 Thus it was Vidura who warned Yudhiṣṭhira about the plot of burning the lacquer palace at Vāraṇāvata and sent an expert miner to dig a tunnel. He always argued on behalf of the Pāṇḍavas and openly took their part. Furthermore, he gave shelter to Kuntī during the thirteen years’ exile of the Pāṇḍavas. Indeed, a close reading of various passages describing meetings between Vidura and Yudhiṣṭhira reveals their intimate relationship.

      In the same way, during the dice game Vidura alone tries now to intervene on Yudhiṣṭhira’s behalf.74 But his efforts to influence Dhṛtarāṣṭra against Duryodhana are – as always – fruitless. He reminds the assembly of the evil omens which manifested at Duryodhana’s birth and quotes that well-known guide-line for safeguarding the harmony and survival of a small or big unit:

      For the sake of the family, one should abandon a man; for the sake of the village, one should abandon a family; for the sake of the country, one should abandon a village; for the sake of the soul, one should abandon the earth.75

      However, Duryodhana is quick to reject Vidura’s suggestions and secures his hold over his father’s mind with a counter-attack on Vidura:

      You always praise, kṣattā, the fame of our opponents, while secretly abusing the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. We know, Vidura, on whose side you are, you despise us as if we were stupid children.76

      So Dhṛtarāṣṭra does not heed Vidura’s warning and the game goes on. Yudhiṣṭhira stakes and loses all his brothers. Then nothing is left and he stakes himself. His words, addressed to Śakuni, reveal that he has entirely stopped being his real self now:

I am left now, cherished by all my brothers. Defeated, we will labour for you until we perish.77

      Nala’s Dice Game