Knowledge Bank

The Dice Game was Played Twice

The game of dice between the Pandavas and the Kauravas was orchestrated by Duryodhana, who envied the Pandavas' power after their Rajasuya Yagna. The first game, played in Hastinapura with Shakuni's deceitful help, resulted in Yudhishthira losing his kingdom, wealth, brothers, and Draupadi. After Draupadi's humiliation, Dhritarashtra intervened, returning their wealth and freedom. A few months later, Duryodhana convinced Dhritarashtra to arrange a second game. During this time, the Kauravas plotted to ensure severe consequences. The second game's terms dictated that the losing party would be exiled for 13 years, with the last year incognito. Yudhishthira lost again, leading to the Pandavas' exile. The short gap between the games allowed tensions to build, furthering the rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas. These events were pivotal in setting the stage for the Kurukshetra war, showcasing the Kauravas' treachery and the Pandavas' resilience. The repeated losses and Draupadi's humiliation fueled the Pandavas' desire for justice and revenge, ultimately leading to the great war depicted in the Mahabharata.

Original boundaries of Aryavarta

Aryavarta was the heartland of Aryan culture. Its original boundaries were - Kurukshetra to the north, Gaya to the east, Viraja (Jajpur, Odisha) to the south, and Pushkar to the west.