Mb026. Sakuni's Evil Design Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

Rajasuya came to a close,
From their seats up all rose,
They took leave one by one,
With their kith and kin.

It was Veda Vyasa's turn,
He came there to warn
Of the next years thirteen,
That foretold bad omen.

"Oh son of Kunti, listen.
I foresee more destruction.
Kings in hundreds will perish,
Despite peace you may wish."

"It'll end in the annihilation,
Of Kshatriya's race in destruction,
Against destiny none can go,
That'll bring woe after woe."

"Be firm and steadfast
In righteousness till last,
Of your cousins beware,
Who're jealous and unfair."

So said Vyasa in his address,
That threw Yuthishthira in distress.
A racial disaster the prediction
How to avoid any friction?

It was uppermost in his mind.
A solution for this to find.
Arjuna and Bhima queried,
Why he was so worried?

He told them in brief,
What caused his grief?
Not to worry they told.
And to keep himself bold.

While he was for no quarrel,
Duryodhana had no moral
In his action or thought,
Full of hatred it brought.

Burnt in fire of jealousy
At Pandava's picture rosy
And at their vast prosperity
He had a complex inferiority.

"Well, what's in you less?
Why entertain this distress?
You can conquer the world."
This way Uncle Sakuni told.

"O Uncle, why not we fight
And drive Pandavas out? "
Duryodhana wanted war,
He went ahead this far.

"With no blood shed, listen,
We can make them run.
Invite Yudhishthira here
To play dice, have no fear."

"Against the tricks what I know,
Sure, he'll make a bad show.
Thus we'll use our wisdom,
And shall win his kingdom."

Sakuni assured him this way.
He waited for that black day.
The destiny's role peculiar one,
Can anyone resist and win?