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The Gaming Table-Vol. 1-Part4_Andrew Steinmetz(1816-1877)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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When Yudhishthira heard these words he was troubled in mind,

for he knew that gaming was a frequent cause of strife, and that



he was in no way skilful in throwing the dice; and he likewise

knew that Sakuni was dwelling at Hastinapur, and that he was a



famous gambler. But Yudhishthira remembered that the invitation

of the Maharaja was equal to the command of a father, and that no



true Kshatriya could refuse a challenge either to war or play.

So Yudhishthira accepted the invitation, and gave commandment



that on the appointed day his brethren, and their mother, and

their joint wife should accompany him to the city of Hastinapur.



`When the day arrived for the departure of the Pandavas they took

their mother Kunti, and their joint wife Draupadi, and journeyed



from Indra-prastha to the city of Hastinapur. And when they

entered the city they first paid a visit of respect to the



Maharaja, and they found him sitting amongst his Chieftains; and

the ancient Bhishma, and the preceptor Drona, and Karna, who was



the friend of Duryodhana, and many others, were sitting there

also.



`And when the Pandavas had done reverence to the Maharaja, and

respectfully saluted all present, they paid a visit to their



aunt Gandhari, and did her reverence likewise.

`And after they had done this, their mother and joint wife



entered the presence of Gandhari, and respectfully saluted her;

and the wives of the Kauravas came in and were made known to



Kunti and Draupadi. And the wives of the Kauravas were much

surprised when they beheld the beauty and fine raiment of



Draupadi; and they were very jealous of their kinswoman. And

when all their visits had been paid, the Pandavas retired with



their wife and mother to the quarters which had been prepared for

them, and when it was evening they received the visits of all



their friends who were dwelling at Hastinapur.

`Now, on the morrow the gambling match was to be played; so when



the morning had come, the Pandavas bathed and dressed, and left

Draupadi in the lodging which had been prepared for her, and went



their way to the palace. And the Pandavas again paid their

respects to their uncle the Maharaja, and were then conducted to



the pavilion where the play was to be; and Duryodhana went with

them, together with all his brethren, and all the chieftains of



the royal house. And when the assembly had all taken their

seats, Sakuni said to Yudhishthira:--"The ground here has all



been prepared, and the dice are all ready: Come now, I pray you,

and play a game." But Yudhishthira was disinclined, and



replied:--"I will not play excepting upon fair terms; but if you

will pledge yourself to throw without artifice or deceit, I will



accept your challenge." Sakuni said,--"If you are so fearful

of losing, you had better not play at all." At these words



Yudhishthira was wroth, and replied:--"I have no fear either in

play or war; but let me know with whom I am to play, and who is



to pay me if I win." So Duryodhana came forward and said:--"I

am the man with whom you are to play, and I shall lay any stakes



against your stakes; but my uncle Sakuni will throw the dice for

me." Then Yudhishthira said,--"What manner of game is this,



where one man throws and another lays the stakes?" Nevertheless

he accepted the challenge, and he and Sakuni began to play.



`At this point in the narrative it may be desirable to pause, and

endeavour to obtain a picture of the scene. The so-called



pavilion was probably a temporary booth constructed of bamboos

and interlaced with basket-work; and very likely it was



decorated with flowers and leaves after the Hindoo fashion,

and hung with fruits, such as cocoa-nuts, mangoes, plantains, and



maize. The Chieftains present seem to have sat upon the ground,

and watched the game. The stakes may have been pieces of gold or



silver, or cattle, or lands; although, according to the legendary

account which follows, they included articles of a far more



extravagant and imaginativecharacter. With these passing

remarks, the tradition of the memorable game may be resumed as



follows:--

`So Yudhishthira and Sakuni sat down to play, and whatever



Yudhishthira laid as stakes, Duryodhana laid something of equal

value; but Yudhishthira lost every game. He first lost a very



beautiful pearl; next a thousand bags, each containing a thousand




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