वैशम्पायन उवाच उपोह्यमाने द्यूते तु राजानः सर्व एव ते। धृतराष्ट्र पुरस्कृत्य विविशुस्तां सभां ततः॥
Vaishampayana said When the play commenced, all the kings, Dhritarashtra being at their head, took their seats in that Assembly hall.
भीष्मो द्रोणः कृपश्चैव विदुश्च महामतिः। नातिप्रीतेन मनसा तेऽन्ववर्तन्त भारत॥
O descendant of Bharata, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, the high-souled Vidura followed their example with cheerless heart.
ते द्वन्द्वशः पृथक् चैव सिंहग्रीवा महौजसः। सिंहासनानि भूरीणि विचित्राणि च भेजिरे॥
Those lion-necked and greatly effulgeit (kings) took their seats separately and in praise on may high (royal) seats of various make and colour.
शुशुभे सा सभा राजन् राजभिस्तैः समागतः। देवैरिव महाभागैः समवेतैस्त्रिविष्टपम्॥
O king, that Assembly-hall looked beautiful with the assembled monarchs like the heaven with a conclave of greatly fortunate celestials.
सर्वे वेदविदः शूराः सर्वे भास्वरमूर्तयः। प्रावर्तत महाराज सुहृद्यूतमनन्तरम्॥
O great king, they were all heroes, they were all learned in the Vedas, and they all bore resplendent countenances. The friendly match at dice then commenced (in due form).
युधिष्ठिर उवाच अयं बहुधनो राजन् सागरावर्तसम्भवः। मणिर्हारोत्तरः श्रीमान् कनकोत्तमभूषणः॥
Yudhishthira said O king, this excellent and most valuable chain of pearls, so beautiful and adorned with gold and procured from the ocean by churning it,
एतद् राजन् मम धनं प्रतिपाणोऽस्ति कस्तव। येन मां त्वं महाराज धनेन प्रतिदीव्यसे॥
O king, is my stake. O great king, what is your counter stake, the wealth with which you wish to play with me?
दुर्योधन उवाच सन्ति मे मणयश्चैव धनानि सुबहूनि च। मत्सरश्च न मेऽर्थेषु जयस्वैनं दुरोदरम्॥
Duryodhana said I have many jewels and much wealth, but I am not proud of them. However, let yourself win this stake.
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो जग्राह शकुनिस्तानक्षानक्षतत्त्ववित्। जितमित्येव शकुनियुधिष्ठिरमभाषत॥
Vaishampayana said Thereupon Shakuni, well-skilled in dice, took up the dice and said to Yudhishthira, “Lo, I have won it".