40 The dice table
The brahmanas in Hastinapura were so incensed at the idea of Charvaka supervising the building of the gambling hall that Dur was forced to relent on this point, and accept a design of their choice. But Dur also tried to persuade the brahmanas that their sensibilities need not prevent Charvaka from being in charge at least of making the dice; on the grounds that dice were not instruments of war but of sport; and that their ban only applied to Charvaka’s involvement in martial activities. A few thousand of the gold dice used in the royal game would be needed during the contests. Dur argued that only Charvaka had the skill to make such a large number in the time available.
Some of the brahmanas saw this as an opportunity to abandon the proceedings, but the majority believe
