The day was fixed for the game of dice.

On one side sat Duryodhan, uncle Shakuni and Dushasan, while other side was occupied by Yudhisthir and his four brothers. Shakuni would throw dice for Kauravas while Yudhisthir would do the job for pandavs.

Initially a small amount of money and jewelry was put at stake. The dice was rolled and Shakuni won the throw. Thus the game progressed on and on, every time Shakuni came up with requisite numbers with his magical dice. Yudhisthir was bound to lose as the game was already corrupted by Shakuni.

But as a losing gambler, Yudhisthir lost reason and discrimination. He put Indraprastha at stake!, and as expected lost that turn too. The king Yudhisthir was stripped of his kingdom and he became an ordinary citizen!

Mocking him further, uncle Shakuni challenged Yudhisthir, "You have lost your kingdom and all money. It is better you say quits and leave this palace. We shall allow you to lead a life of an ordinary lay person in Hastinapur."

The insulting words, instead of dissuading Yudhisthir, further stimulated him to play and regain the lost kingdom. Hope never dies for a gambler! Yudhisthir asked Shakuni to continue the game. When asked as to what he would put at stake, Yudhisthir replied: "Bhim"!

Yudhisthir lost the count and Bhim became the servant - slave - of Duryodhan. On the similar lines Yudhisthir lost Arjun, Nakul, Sahadev, and at last himself to the evil designs of Shakuni. Pandavs were bereft of all rights, even those of ordinary citizens!

The whole court was stunned to see this unusual betting from so righteous a person as Yudhisthir. Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Vidur could foresee the approaching catastrophe, but could do nothing. Their appeal for restrain and reason kept hitting the deaf ears of all concerned. After all it was a game, a sport, which was played according to set rules; both the parties willingly participating.

Ordeal of Draupadi

At last, the desperate gambler in Yudhisthir put Draupadi at stake! Everyone, almost everyone, in court protested, but in vain. The destiny of this great Bharatvarsha -India as was called in those days - could not be changed, as if it had the tacit sanction of Almighty! Male chauvinism put a helpless lady at the mercy of crooks.

As was destined, Yudhisthir lost the dice, and with it started the dark period of India's downfall.

Draupadi became the serving maid of Duryodhan and Kauravas. Victorious and lustful Duryodhan asked his brother Dushasan to bring Draupadi to the court. He obeyed his elder brother and brought helpless Draupadi, dragging her by her hair.

Her protest that Yudhisthir had no right to put her at stake was not heard in the agonizing cries of the ladies in the court. Heads drooped with shame. Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Vidur could do nothing. King Dhritarashtra was silent.

Cries of "shame, shame" were mingled with terrifying laughter of Duryodhan, Shakuni, and Dushasan.

Duryodhan ordered Dushasan to disrobe the lady. Bhishma objected, Dhritarashtra trembled, but the lust, pride and blind power of victory was not prepared to listen or see sense.

Lord Krishna Comes to the Rescue

Helpless Draupadi had but one hope, one last hope to save her grace. Sri Krishna could alone, and would, save her from disgrace! She started repeating and praying to Him, a saviour of his devotees, the Master of the Universe.

And the Lord does not wait when his devotee is in such a grave crisis. Sri Krishna provided unending lengths of cloth on the body of Draupadi.

Here, Dushasan pulled one yard of her robe -sari - and there two yards were added by the grace of Sri Krishna! The evil Dushasan went on and on, his hands aching and paralyzed with fatigue, but there was no end to the covering of Draupadi's body. At last Dushasan collapsed, completely exhausted.

"Victory to Lord Krishna", exclaimed Draupadi and fell down unconscious tears rolling down her eyes.

But still, Shakuni and Duryodhan were not to be put off. Duryodhan baring his thigh invited Draupadi to sit on it. This was the last straw on camel's back. The infuriated Bhim rose to kill Duryodhan but was prevented by Yudhisthir to act. "O brothers, we have no right to protest or fight against our master. We are all slaves of Duryodhan", said he.

At this Bhim vowed, "Listen everyone, listen O Dhritarashtra, I will kill Duryodhan by breaking open his thigh and would drink blood from the same. Moreover, O evil Dushasan, remember and tremble in the heart, for I will break open your chest and dress the hair of Draupadi with that blood." (Draupadi later vowed to keep her hair loose till Bhim fulfilled his pledge.)