Duryodhana reached his father Dhritrashtra and told him about the miraculous palace of the Pandavas and the cutting remarks of Draupadi. This infuriated Dhritrashtra. Taking advantage of the situation Duryodhana said, “O Father! I have made a plan with maternal uncle Shakuni to avenge the insult heaped on you and me. If we invite Yudhishthira over here to play a game of dice, we shall capture their palace.”
Again and again, he repeated the bitter remarks of Draupadi and thus instigated his father. King Dhritrashtra liked the plan of his son Duryodhana. He thought that they would win over the kingdom of Indraprastha without any bloodshed.
At last, King Dhritrashtra blind in his son’s love had to yield to Duryodhana’s wish. He ordered to invite Yudhishthira to compete in the game of dice. Though unhappy, Vidura had to carry out the king’s order.
Vidura invited Yudhishthira and told him that he was against the idea of the game of dice. But Yudhishthira did not wish to make King Dhritrashtra unhappy by refusing. So, he went for the game with his four brothers and Draupadi.
Next day all assembled to play the game of dice. The hall was crowded with all the members of the royal palace. Despite Bhishma’s refusal the game got under way. Shakuni, who was a trickster, played with his charmed dice on behalf of Duryodhana, who decided what would be staked for each game. The game began. One by one, Yudhishthira lost his jewels and wealth, his army, his servants, cattle, villages, citizens and his kingdom. Then he staked his brothers and lost them too.
Finally, Yudhishthira staked Draupadi. Despite the shame and disgust among the onlookers, and the strong objections by Vidura, Duryodhana overruled everyone. The dice were thrown. And Yudhishthira lost once more. Only the dignified present there were distressed. The Kauravas, Shakuni and Karna were delighted. Intoxicated with madness Duryodhana said to Vidura, “Now Draupadi is our maid. Go and bring her at once.” Vidura objected to this. King Dhritrashtra kept mum. Duryodhana ordered Dushasana, his brother, to bring Draupadi to the hall, dragging her in if necessary. When Draupadi refused to come, Dushasana dragged her by the hair into the hall.
