Vaisampayana said,—­“Hearing this Sakuni, ready with the dice, adopting unfair means, said unto Yudhishthira, ‘Lo, I have won!’

Yudhishthira said,—­’I have my city, the country, land, the wealth of all dwelling therein except of the Brahmanas, and all those persons themselves except Brahmanas still remaining to me.  With this wealth, O king, I will play with thee.’

Vaisampayana said,—­“Hearing this, Sakuni, ready with the dice, adopting foul means, said unto Yudhishthira, ‘Lo!  I have won.’

“Yudhishthira said,—­These princes here, O king, who look resplendent in their ornaments and their ear-rings and Nishkas and all the royal ornaments on their persons are now my wealth.  With this wealth, O king, I play with thee.

Vaisampayana said,—­“Hearing this, Sakuni, ready with his dice, adopting foul means, said unto Yudhishthira, ‘Lo!  I have won them.’

“Yudhishthira said,—­’This Nakula here, of mighty arms and leonine neck, of red eyes and endued with youth, is now my one stake.  Know that he is my wealth.’

Sakuni said,—­’O king Yudhishthira, prince Nakula is dear to thee.  He is already under our subjection.  With whom (as stake) wilt thou now play?”

Vaisampayana said,—­“Saying this, Sakuni cast those dice, and said unto Yudhishthira, ‘Lo!  He hath been won by us.’

Yudhishthira said,—­“This Sahadeva administereth justice.  He hath also acquired a reputation for learning in this world.  However undeserving he may be to be staked in play, with him as stake I will play, with such a dear object as it, indeed, he were not so!”

Vaisampayana said,—­“Hearing this, Sakuni, ready with the dice, adopting foul means, said unto Yudhishthira, ‘Lo!  I have won.’

“Sakuni continued,—­’O king, the sons of Madri, dear unto thee, have both been won by me.  It would seem, however, that Bhimasena and Dhananjaya are regarded very much by thee.’

“Yudhishthira said,—­’Wretch! thou actest sinfully in thus seeking to create disunion amongst us who are all of one heart, disregarding morality.’

“Sakuni said,—­’One that is intoxicated falleth into a pit (hell) and stayeth there deprived of the power of motion.  Thou art, O king, senior to us in age, and possessed of the highest accomplishments.  O bull of the Bharata race, I (beg my pardon and) bow to thee.  Thou knowest, O Yudhishthira, that gamesters, while excited with play, utter such ravings that they never indulge in the like of them in their waking moments nor even in dream.’

“Yudhishthira said,—­He that taketh us like a boat to the other shore of the sea of battle, he that is ever victorious over foes, the prince who is endued with great activity, he who is the one hero in this world, (is here).  With that Falguna as stake, however, undeserving of being made so, I will now play with thee.’”

Vaisampayana said,—­“Hearing this, Sakuni, ready with the dice, adopting foul means, said unto Yudhishthira, ‘Lo!  I have won.’