Mb030. Second Round Of Dice-Game Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

Yudhishthira left Hastinapura
And went back to Indraprastha,
Along with Draupadi and brothers,
And they reached their quarters.

His father Duryodhana told,
How in haste the king spoiled,
Their success in the dice-game,
But they had lost the same.

Another program he brought,
The king's consent he sought.
For a game to call them again,
On a simple condition plain.

"To win the game,
If they fail this time,
In exile into the forest,
There they live at best."

"If you don't listen,
Now to this plan,
We'll face ruin,
One day by then."

The proposal he accepted.
A day for it they selected.
A word Yudhishthira didn't say
But he went there to play.

This time the defeated party
Should live 12 years in exile
And incognito for one year then,
If discovered it will repeat again.


Yudhishthira lost once again.
He was bound by this condition.
They took leave of everyone.
Their days in forest thus began.

To recall them Vidura said.
But the king no heed paid.
What he wanted he got it.
In his son's own interest.