Yudhishthira stakes a gem chain and Shakuni wins it
Yudhishthira offers a magnificent gem chain from the ocean as his opening stake. Duryodhana scorns his own wealth in reply, and Shakuni, the expert, takes the dice. With a single throw, he declares victory, claiming the first prize and beginning the cascade of loss.
Yudhishthira placed his stake on the carpet. "O king," he said to Duryodhana. "This is a beautiful chain of gems, inlaid in supreme gold. It represents a lot of riches and has been procured from the whirl of the ocean. This is my stake. What is your counter-stake? Let it be placed in the proper order and I will win this gamble."
Duryodhana glanced at the priceless chain. "I also possess many gems and riches," he replied. "But they serve no particular end for me. I will win this gamble." The value of the counter-stake was irrelevant; the outcome, to him, was already decided.
Then Shakuni, who knew the heart of the dice—who understood their weight, their balance, the secret language of their fall—grasped them in his hand. The dice rattled. He threw.
He did not announce the number. He looked at Yudhishthira and stated the result. "I have won."