"The loser will have to live 13 years in exile out of which the last year should be in anonymity. If the loser is exposed during the last year, then he will have to go for another 12 years of exile". Thus spoke Duryodhana to Yuddhistira on the stake they were playing for.
Duryodhana was dissatisfied with the turn of events. Along with Uncle Shakuni, he convinced his father King Dhritharashtra to invite the Pandavas for another game before they leave. King Dhritharashtra, out of his fatherly love, succumbed to it and sent out the invitation again.Could Yuddhistira had refused the invitation based on the events that had happened? The general Kshatriya Dharma (Warrior code) would not let him reject a challenge. Did he do this in the hopes of avoiding a war, in case there was a slimmest chance available? He knew that the Kauravas would not let them live in peace even if they were to return to Indraprastha now. Or did he play this because he needed an excuse to perform penance for the mistakes he did today?
The game was played and Yuddhistira lost as expected. His brothers and wife Draupadi accompanied Yuddhistira in this exile. Kunti wanted to accompany them but Yuddhistira refused her due to old age. Kunti took a political stand and stayed at Vidura's place instead of the palace. In this way, the people would always remember all the events of this day for the next 13 years.
Pandavas were staying a small forest hut. As per some sscripture, in special circumstances, 13 days can be counted as 13 years. Vidura requested King Dhritharashtra to call back the Pandavas from the forest, return them Indrapratha and hope that they do not wage a war to avenge the humiliation. King Dhritharashtra refused this solution, partly out of his love for his son and also to push back the war to 13 years (at least). They had a heated argument over which King Dhritharashtra accuses Vidura of always siding with the Pandavas and then telling him to live with the Pandavas if they are so dear to him. Listening to this accusation, Vidura leaves and stays with the Pandavas.
King Dhritharashtra realizes his folly of letting his anger getting better of him (in some retellings, it is Bhishma who scolds him) and sends his loyal charioteer to call Vidura back.
In some retellings, all the Pandava brothers except Yuddhistira is ready to accept the 13 day-13 year scripture law and go back. Yuddhistira refuses to acknowledge this saying that this is not what the stake was. According to stake, 13 years was exact 13 years. Also, he needed to perform penance for his vices and mistakes so he will spend these years in the same and think of further action on completion. Wife Draupadi and his younger brothers are disappointed yet, they do not leave him.
Duryodhana was dissatisfied with the turn of events. Along with Uncle Shakuni, he convinced his father King Dhritharashtra to invite the Pandavas for another game before they leave. King Dhritharashtra, out of his fatherly love, succumbed to it and sent out the invitation again.Could Yuddhistira had refused the invitation based on the events that had happened? The general Kshatriya Dharma (Warrior code) would not let him reject a challenge. Did he do this in the hopes of avoiding a war, in case there was a slimmest chance available? He knew that the Kauravas would not let them live in peace even if they were to return to Indraprastha now. Or did he play this because he needed an excuse to perform penance for the mistakes he did today?
The game was played and Yuddhistira lost as expected. His brothers and wife Draupadi accompanied Yuddhistira in this exile. Kunti wanted to accompany them but Yuddhistira refused her due to old age. Kunti took a political stand and stayed at Vidura's place instead of the palace. In this way, the people would always remember all the events of this day for the next 13 years.
Pandavas were staying a small forest hut. As per some sscripture, in special circumstances, 13 days can be counted as 13 years. Vidura requested King Dhritharashtra to call back the Pandavas from the forest, return them Indrapratha and hope that they do not wage a war to avenge the humiliation. King Dhritharashtra refused this solution, partly out of his love for his son and also to push back the war to 13 years (at least). They had a heated argument over which King Dhritharashtra accuses Vidura of always siding with the Pandavas and then telling him to live with the Pandavas if they are so dear to him. Listening to this accusation, Vidura leaves and stays with the Pandavas.
King Dhritharashtra realizes his folly of letting his anger getting better of him (in some retellings, it is Bhishma who scolds him) and sends his loyal charioteer to call Vidura back.
In some retellings, all the Pandava brothers except Yuddhistira is ready to accept the 13 day-13 year scripture law and go back. Yuddhistira refuses to acknowledge this saying that this is not what the stake was. According to stake, 13 years was exact 13 years. Also, he needed to perform penance for his vices and mistakes so he will spend these years in the same and think of further action on completion. Wife Draupadi and his younger brothers are disappointed yet, they do not leave him.
why 13 years? how was this calculation done?
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