Nala returns to his land

Nala, decked in all finery that deserved a king, then went to King Bhima with Damayanti. The king was thrilled to see him. The citizens of the country were also very happy to see Nala.  Rituaparna was also very happy to hear that Nala had been reunited with Damayanti. He begged forgiveness but Nala said he was grateful to him. Nala then taught Rituparna all he knew about horses, and Rituparna in return taught Nala, all hew knew about the science of the game of dice.
Employing a charioteer, Rituparna then left for Ayodhya and Nala also left for his land.

He then aproached his cousin Pushkara and asked for a game of dice. Nala won back all that he had lost to Pushkara. Pushkara went back to his kingdom.

Nala lived happily in his kingdom, performing sacrifices and ruling as a just ruler.

When he was old, he made his son the king.

Thus ending his tale of Nala, the sage said to Yudhistira - Nala had suffered more than you. Bad luck will not stay for ever. It will pass.

The sage then took leave of the Pandavas.

Another game of dice

Janmajeya then asked the sage, If Dhritarashtra had pardoned the Pandavas, then why did they have to spend a long time in the forests?

When the Pandavas along with Draupadi had left, Dushasana went to Duryodhana and said Whatever we tried was made futile by the old king.
Along with Karna, Duryodhana, Dushasana and Shakuni went to Dhritarashtra.
Duryodhana said We had captured the lions and you let them free again. An enemy can be vanquished in any way - by right ways or by wrong ways. All the wealth from the Pandavas that became mine was lost, because of you. The Pandavas got their wealth back and they will never forgive me. They will prepare an army and come and attack us. There if Arjuna comes with his Gandiva and his arrows, it would be impossible to defeat the Pandavas.

Dhritarashtra said what was the way out.

Duryodhana said there was a way out. Another game. The loser would go into the forests for twelve years and after that the loser would have to be reside incognito. If spotted, this cycle would continue. If the Pandavas went into the forests, then the kings supporting the Pandavas would come for the support of the Kauravas.

Dhritarashtra agreed and sent a messenger to invite Yudhistira for the game. The elders in the court asked Dhritarashtra not to take this step, but the king blinded by the love for his sons, did not listen.

Gandhari then said to the king, why do you sway when your son says something. Why do you not take a decision on your own. When Duryodhana was born, he had noises like an animal. Do you not remember that? His decisions will bring the downfall of the dynasty. He is your death, in the form of your son. Why are hell bent on ending your dynasty? Listen to me, DO not send for the Pandavas again.

Dhritarashtra said Whet you are telling me, I know already. I can foresee then end of the Kuru dynasty. Let destiny take its path. Let the Pandavas come and play again.

The messenger left for Indraprastha and told Yudhistira about the invitation. Yudhistira said he would not be able to deny the order of Dhritarashtra.

The brothers left for Hastinapura and started the game. Shakuni said the loser of the game would go for twelve years of exile and after that the loser would have to lay hidden for one year. If spotted in that year, another twelve years of exile and one year of hiding would happen and the cycle would continue, if spotted. If not spotted, the loser would claim the kingdom after the thirteen years of exile.

The game started. All asked Yudhistira not to play. He did not listen and Shakuni won the game. 

The game of dice

In the morning, Yudhistira entered the hall where the game would be played. All sat in their designated seats. Shakuni then came with the dice and the mat on which the game would be played.
Shakuni said he had heard like to play dice, so let us have a game. Yudhistira said he had heard that the game was trouble for the one who played.
Shakuni said the game was a just game. One needed to think and play, like war.
Yudhistira said It seems you are bent on winning the game by unjust ways.
Shakuni said If you are not interested in the game, you may return back to your kingdom.
Yudhistira said As he had come there, he would not leave.
Duryodhana said Shakuni would play on his behalf.

The game started and all came to have a look. Vidura watched, feeling uneasy.
Yudhistira said he would lay Indraprastha and its wealth at stake. Shakuni won that in the game.
Yudhistira then played the horses of Indraprastha. Shakuni won that,
Yudhistira then put his chariot at stake, which was won.
Yudhistira played the elephants, which was won.
Yudhistira played all maids in his kingdom, they were won too.

Yudhistira played the brahmans serving Indraprastha. They were won.
He then played the horses given by the gandharva Chitraratha. They were won.
The army of Indraprastha was then played, which was won by Shakuni.

Vidura said to Dhritarashtra - Stop this game. Stop your son. Remember your son who had brayed like a donkey when he was born. He will bring about your downfall. Your son is intoxicated with grief. Stop him and let things be. Let the Pandavas go and you be separate from them. Let there be no connections between the two. Do not invite your downfall and the death of your sons. Shakuni is scheming. He has left his own land to bring about the downfall of your clan.

Turning to Shakuni, Vidura said - Shakuni, stop this game.

Angry, Duryodhana said - Who has asked for your opinion and advise. You have always thought ill for Dhritarashtra. You have always preferred the sons of Pandu.

Vidura said I did not say anything to you, but I spoke to your father. He is not listening to me.

The game resumed.

Yudhistira played his cattle. That was won.
Yudhistira played the lands that had been won by m. That was won.
Yudhistira then played the ornaments he and his brothers were wearing. That was won.

Shakuni asked the king. what would be play now.
Having nothing, he then played the most handsome of his brothers, Nakula. Nakula was won.
Yudhistira then played the learned and wise Sahadeva. He was won too.
Shakuni then asked the king did he want to stop as he had given by brothers who were from a different mother.
Yudhistira then said he did not see any differences between any of his brothers.
Yudhistira then played Arjuna who was won. He then played Bhima. Shakuni won Bhima too.
Seeing nothing else left, Yudhistira then played himself.
After winning him, Shakuni said you still have Draupadi. Why don't you play her too?

In a daze, Yudhistira said, roll the dice.

Hearing this, Karna and Duryodhana started laughing.

Dhritarashtra asked what was the result. His evil nature, was coming out.

Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Vidura had tears in their eyes.

Invitation for the game

Janmajeya asked the sage - Please tell me about the game of dice where my ancestors lost everything and went through lot of grief and trouble. Who all played the game? Who were in the all when the game was played?

The sage said Hearing the words of his son, disturbed the blind king. He called Duryodhana and said - Stop this game of dice. Vidura has not given his consent to this. Why are you jealous of the Pandavas? You gave the land the Pandavas have and they have made the best of it.

Duryodhana said - It was natural to admire what the other person had. Pandavas have prosperity which I do not have. Krishna and the kings listen to Yudhistira. I was in charge of the treasury during the sacrifice and I saw the wealth they have. I was also insulted in their palace. When I could not figure out where to go, I was laughed at when I tried to lift my clothes thinking the floor was water. When I saw water, thinking it to be crystal, i unknowingly stepped into it and I was laughed at by the Pandavas and Draupadi. I was then given dry clothes. I find this insulting. When I was trying to go out, I kept bumping my head into the crystal walls. The sons of Madri came and helped me. I desire what the Pandavas have.

Dhritarashtra said - It is not good to desire what the other has. Organize a sacrifice like Yudhistira did. Invite kings. All kings will come. You will also get a lot of wealth and gifts. Do not look for short roads to success.

Duryodhana refused to listen.

Seeing his son would not listen, Dhritarashtra sent for Vidura. Vidura said - The entire clan will be destroyed because of this game. Stop this.
When Vidura saw the king was going to listen to his son, he set forth for his journey.

He went to Indraprastha where he was heartily welcomed. Vidura said to Yudhistira that the king, Dhritarashtra wanted him to come to Hastinapura along with his brother for a game of dice.

Yudhistira said Dice is known to be a game that destroys all. Please advise what I should do.

Vidura said I know of the evils of Dice. I told the king to not have the game but the king did not listen.

Yudhistira said the game of dice was like war and if invited, a kshatriya would attend the same.

Along with his brothers , Yudhistira started for Hastinapura.

They reached Hastinapura in the evening and went greeted Gandhari and all women of Hastinapura.