Unbelievably, Yudhisthira himself refused to quit the game although he had the option. Gripped by a strange madness, he was readily accepting Shakuni’s every formal invitation to start the next game. His suicidal stubbornness seemed to be a greater mystery than Shakuni’s incredible play. Had the eldest Pandava taken leave of all his senses? He had, actually. The confounded ‘Karkotaka’ was taking its toll on the poor Yudhisthira. Nobody except Shakuni knew that. Not even Duryodhana. Shakuni had Yudhisthira’s morning drink spiked with the potion Ashwasen had given him. Completely under its
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