41 The dice hall
The dice tournament was to be spread over four days, but the contestants were already beginning to arrive in Hastinapura ten days before the games were due to start.
The Pandavas took up residence in the royal palace of King Dhrita-rashtra five days before the opening. At Yudhi’s insistence they had travelled without any servants or attendants whatsoever; just six of them: the five brothers and Draupadi.
Only the twins had submitted their names to participate in the tournament. But Yudhi expected that he also would be called upon to play. For it was already common knowledge that Dur intended to honour Yudhi, as King of Kings, by inviting him to a match against the eventual victor of the tournament, whoever this turned out to be. This match, a prelude to the banquet whic
