Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, accomplished the great Rajasuya sacrifice, a ceremony that proclaimed his sovereignty and drew the eyes of kings and sages alike. This triumph was not achieved by his strength alone; it was made possible by the wise counsel of Vasudeva Krishna and the valor of Bhima and Arjuna, who together overcame the formidable Jarasandha and the proud king of Chedi. In the wake of this grand event, Duryodhana journeyed to Indraprastha and beheld the immense riches gathered there—gems, gold, sparkling jewels, countless cows, elephants, horses, and abundant wealth. He saw too the dazzling array of garments and cloaks, blankets and deer skins, precious rugs and carpets, all testifying to the prosperity of the Pandavas. Consumed by jealousy, Duryodhana’s heart filled with envy at their good fortune. His torment deepened when he gazed upon the wondrous assembly hall, a marvel crafted by Maya himself, which rivaled the palaces of the gods. There, lost in confusion amid its illusory splendor, Duryodhana stumbled and was mocked openly by Vasudeva and Bhima, as if he were unworthy of noble birth. Though he indulged in pleasures and jewels, Duryodhana appeared pale, thin, and emaciated—like a deer haunted by hunger—so great was the shadow cast by his envy. Dhritarashtra, ever fond of his son, permitted the fateful game of dice to proceed. When Vasudeva heard of this, his anger was fierce, for his heart found no joy in the disputes and contentions that followed. He looked on with sorrow as terrible injustices and many wrongs arose from the deceitful game. In the heated conflict that ensued, wise and righteous elders—Vidura, Bhishma, Drona, Sharadvata, and Kripa—were cast aside, their counsel ignored. The Kshatriyas, burning with mutual enmity, clashed in a tumult that shook the very foundations of the house. When the Pandavas were victorious, news of their misfortune spread, and the intentions of Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni became clear to all. After long reflection, Dhritarashtra spoke to his charioteer Sanjaya: “Listen to my words, Sanjaya, and do not take offense. You are learned and wise, respected for your understanding. I desire no conflict, nor do I rejoice in the destruction of our family. I make no distinction between my sons and the sons of Pandu, yet my sons, driven by anger, resent me even in my old age. Out of weakness and blind affection, I have endured this confusion, sharing in the folly of senseless Duryodhana. “At the Rajasuya, when my son saw the Pandavas’ splendor and Yudhishthira’s rise to the throne, he was humiliated. Unable to defeat the Pandavas in battle, though he is a Kshatriya, his spirit faltered, and he could not attain such greatness. Together with the king of Gandhara, he devised the deceitful game of dice. Hear from me, Sanjaya, all that I know of what transpired. “When you listen to my words, spoken with reason and truth, you will know me as one who sees with the eye of wisdom. From the very beginning, I saw signs that victory would not be ours. When I heard that Arjuna, stringing his bow, struck the target and won Krishna’s hand before all the assembled kings, I lost hope for victory. When I learned that Arjuna took Subhadra of Dwaraka as his bride, and the two Vrishni heroes accompanied him to Indraprastha, I lost hope for victory. “When Arjuna repelled the king of the gods with divine arrows and Agni was satisfied at Khandava, I lost hope for victory. When the five sons of Kunti escaped the house of lac, aided by Vidura’s wisdom, I lost hope for victory. When Draupadi was won in the arena after Arjuna pierced the target, and the brave Panchalas and Pandavas were united, I lost hope for victory. “When Bhimasena slew Jarasandha, the foremost of the Magadhas, in single combat, I lost hope for victory. When the Pandavas subdued the kings of the earth and performed the mighty Rajasuya sacrifice, I lost hope for victory. When I heard that Draupadi, weeping and distressed, was dragged into the assembly in a single garment, menstruating, unprotected despite her many protectors, I lost hope for victory. “When Duhshasana, in his folly, heaped up garments and left Draupadi’s humiliation unfinished, I lost hope for victory. When Yudhishthira was defeated at dice by Shakuni, lost his kingdom, and went forth with his incomparable brothers, I lost hope for victory. When I learned of the many hardships the righteous Pandavas endured in the forest, suffering out of love for their elder brother, I lost hope for victory. “When Yudhishthira, dwelling in the forest, was followed by thousands of great-souled Brahmanas who lived on alms, I lost hope for victory. When the sons of Pritha, during their exile, received the friendship and guidance of ancient sages and their disciples, I lost hope for victory. “When I heard that Dhananjaya, while in heaven, received divine weapons from Indra himself and was praised for his truthfulness, I lost hope for victory. When the Kalakeyas and the proud Paulomas, invincible even to the gods, were defeated by Arjuna, I lost hope for victory. When the diademed Arjuna journeyed to destroy the Asuras and returned successful from Indra’s world, I lost hope for victory. “When I heard that Yudhishthira, accompanied by Lomasha, began his pilgrimage to holy places and learned the secret of dice from Brihadashva, I lost hope for victory. When Bhima and the other sons of Pritha met with Vaisravana in that inaccessible region, I lost hope for victory. “When, during the cattle expedition, my sons were captured by the Gandharvas and then released by Arjuna, who delighted in Karna’s wisdom, I lost hope for victory. And when Yudhishthira encountered Dharma in the form of a Yaksha and answered his searching questions, I lost hope for victory. “Thus, Sanjaya, from the beginning, in every trial and triumph of the Pandavas, I saw the signs. My heart knew that victory would not be ours.