The Palace of Illusions

The Pandavas decide to end their visit with Duryodhan. When Yudhisthir tells Duryodhan that they are leaving, Duryodhan challenges him to one last game of dice. Until this point, Duryodhan pretended to be a poor player at dice. However, on this day, he eviscerates Yudhisthir, who bets away “his jewels, his weapons, and all his personal wealth” (189). On top of that, he bets away himself, his brothers, and Panchaali, who all have to become Duryodhan’s slaves.

Panchaali is dragged into the hall by Duryodhan’s brother Dussasan, and Duryodhan demands that she sit on his lap. He then demands that all the Pandavas remove their clothes and jewels and hand them over to him. When they try to take Panchaali’s sari, she sends her thoughts to Krishna, who appears to her. Instead of becoming naked, “more and still more fabric appeared until he was exhausted with tugging,” and Panchaali remains clothed (193).  

In response to the way she is treated, Panchaali curses the Kauravas, saying that she will kill them all. She vows to leave her hair uncombed and unwashed until then.