Author: R. K. Narayan
Year: 1978
- Duryodhana hears his father, Dhritarashtra's happiness and enthusiasm when he learns that the Pandavas have won Drupada's daughter. After his son confronts him, Dhritarashtra reveals that it was only a show for Vidura. He could have had a long talk with his son about the family, bringing them closer together instead of pushing them all further apart.
- After visiting the Pandavas in Indraprastha, Duryodhana became to complain about their prosperity to his uncle Sakuni who then advised his nephew to leave the Pandavas alone and to be happy for them, especially since they were much stronger than the Kauravas. - While telling of how the Pandavas laugh at him, Duryodhana sounds like a very disturbed man. This scene could be rewritten as Duryodhana lying on his therapist's couch during a counseling session.
- The same scene could also be rewritten as children at a daycare. The Pandavas could be playing with toys, while their spoiled cousin, Duryodhana pouts and cries because he isn't getting his way. Eventually, Duryodhana would be talked to about his actions, or punished for them, depending on where the story goes.
- Dhritarashtra is very easily persuaded throughout the story. He was highly regarded at the beginning of the story. I do not like the development for his character.
- Dhritarashtra had his marvelous hall built extremely fast. Great things cannot be rushed. When they are, corners are generally cut and shoddy work is done. Perhaps the entire hall could collapse before the dice game between the Pandavas and Duryodhana. Maybe as they are walking to it, a bird will rest on the top, leading to the building's destruction and once again embarrassing Duryodhana in front of his cousins once again.
- Sakuni takes everything from Yudhistira in the dice game. Yudhistira, who is supposed to be very wise, became oblivious to everything around him, except for his unforgiving dice. Perhaps one of his brothers should have advised him to stop before it got out of hand. Perhaps he should have realized it on his own. It reminds me of a person with a gambling problem who can't seem to walk away from the blackjack/poker table/slot machines at a casino until he has nothing left to play with.
- I like the quote "Griefs and fears by the thousands afflict all men night and day, but affect only the ignorant."
- The conversation between Draupadi and Yudhistira has been the best part of the book. Both make great points as to how someone should live and act.
Sakuni Defeats Yudhistira in the Dice Game
Image Author: Ramanarayanadatta astri
Image Source:Wikimedia Commons
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