Vidura Warns Dhritarashtra Against the Dice Game
Dhritarashtra, having ordered the construction of a grand dice hall, summons his brother Vidura for counsel, knowing he disapproves. Vidura bows and delivers a blunt warning: this act will cause discord among the sons. The king, invoking fate and his own authority, overrules him and commands him to fetch Yudhishthira.
Having heard his brother’s order for the dice hall, the intelligent Vidura knew that the door to kali (the age of strife) was nigh. On seeing that the path to destruction was about to be opened, he quickly came to Dhritarashtra.
The brother approached the great-souled elder brother, bowed down, touched his feet with his head, and uttered plain words. “O king, O lord, I do not approve of the decision you have taken. You should act in such a way that discord does not arise among your sons because of this gambling.”
Dhritarashtra replied, “O Kshatta! If the gods in heaven show us their favour, there is no doubt that there will be no quarrel between my sons and my other sons. Auspicious or not auspicious, benign or malign, let this gambling match between relatives occur, as it is certainly destined. When I and Bhishma, bull among the Bharata lineage, are there, no evil can possibly occur, even if fate has decreed it.”
He then gave his command. “Immediately ascend a chariot yoked with steeds with the speed of the wind. Go to Khandavaprastha and bring Yudhishthira. O Vidura! I tell you that there will be no going back on my decision. I think it is supreme destiny that has led to this.”
Having heard this, the intelligent Vidura thought that this should not be. Extremely unhappy, he went to the immensely wise son of the river — Bhishma.