The sabha hall of Hastinapur hung in pin-drop silence after Bahubali's thunderous words, the air heavy with adharma's weight. Duryodhana's hand trembled over the handrest, Rudra's plea clashing with Shakuni's whisper and Yudhishthira's taunt. The elders stood mournful, the Kauravas uneasy, Shakuni seething as his plan teetered.
The chime of payal anklets broke the hush—Gandhari, Kunti, Draupadi, Bhanumati, and Dushala entered, summoned by Dushala at Bahubali's request. Shock froze them at the sight of the stripped, kneeling Pandavas.
Draupadi's voice blazed. "What outrage is this? Why do my husbands kneel like slaves? Who stripped their dignity in this Kuru sabha?"
Silence was her answer for a while. Then, Bahubali's voice cut through. "Yudhishthira, tell your wife the truth. Explain how you lost your treasury, kingdom in dyut. How you staked your brothers, yourself, and now, as you were trying to bet her."
Yudhishthira's voice choked. "Panchali, the dyut ensnared me. I lost the treasury, Indraprastha. Staked Nakula, Sahadeva, Arjuna, Bhima—they consented. Then myself. And now… I was about to stake you to win it back. Forgive me—the game blinded me."
Draupadi swayed, heartbroken. "You were trying to stake me? Your brothers, kingdom, and me—like a prize? Samrat, how could you betray me without consent? I am Panchali, fireborn—not your property!"
Dushala and Bhanumati supported her, Dushala whispering, "Sister, hold on."
Bhanumati added, "Panchali, we stand with you."
Kunti's fury erupted. "Yudhishthira, what madness? Gambling your brothers like cattle? Draupadi, my daughter, staked like a jewel? Have I raised you to forget honor? My heart shatters—this is sin, not dharma!"
Gandhari's voice stormed. "Suyodhana, how could you let this devour your cousins? Yudhishthira, staking kin and wife? Draupadi is our kulavadhu—her honor is Hastinapur's! I am ashamed, my sons—this palace reeks of betrayal!"
Gandhari turned to Dhritarashtra. "Maharaj, return the Pandavas' freedom and kingdom—we won't bear this paap."
Duryodhana, ashen, agreed. "Father, Mata is right. Return all—let peace follow."
Dhritarashtra sighed. "So be it—the stakes are voided."
The Pandavas rose, relief washing over them. Yudhishthira bowed. "Thank you for mercy."
Bhima grunted, "The sting remains."
Arjuna added, "We're in your debt, Bahubali."
Nakula and Sahadeva nodded gratefully.
Shakuni, furious, seized his chance. "Samrat Yudhishthira, since mercy returned your kingdom, a final bet? Win everything fairly; lose, twelve years of vanvas, one year of agnyatvas. After exile, your throne awaits."
Bhishma thundered, "Shakuni, enough! Exile for dice? Yudhishthira, refuse!" Vidura pleaded, "It's extortion!" Kripacharya added, "A warning, not honor!" Dronacharya murmured, "My shishyas, spare yourselves."
Bhima growled, "Bhrata, don't!" Arjuna urged, "Gandiva could end this!" Nakula whispered, "Refuse for us." Sahadeva nodded, "Wisdom over pride."
Yudhishthira, resolute, said, "I cannot win on charity—a king faces challenges. I accept." The women's faces hardened—Kunti wept, "You've learned nothing!"
Gandhari lamented, "Exile for a throw? Curse this pride!" Draupadi vowed, "Husbands, we face it together."
Bahubali rolled his eyes inwardly—"The fool agrees." Shakuni rolled the dice, and Yudhishthira lost.
Bhishma's tears flowed. "The Kuru line fractures—exile for dice? Our glory ends." Kripacharya shook his head. "Nala's tale warns, yet we repeat it."
The Kauravas remained silent. Vikarna murmured, "A hollow win." Shakuni's laugh rang false. Dhritarashtra, joy-tainted, said, "The terms are met—exile for thirteen years."
Yudhishthira bowed. "We accept fate's decree." Bhima roared, "This isn't over!" Arjuna gripped Gandiva. "Exile forges us." Nakula and Sahadeva stood resolute. Draupadi's face ashen. "We face it together." Kunti wept. "May Mahadev light your path." Gandhari added, "Forgive us." Dushala and Bhanumati consoled Draupadi.
Bahubali spoke last. "This dyut ends in exile—let it teach you. Pandavas, dharma guide your vanvas. Kurus, reflect on this sin. Hastinapur's soul hangs by a thread—mend it, or it snaps." He turned with Rudra, leaving the sabha to its echoes.
Nobles dispersed in murmurs, elders sorrowful, Kauravas uneasy. Dhritarashtra rose wearily. "The sabha adjourns. Pandavas, Kauravas—rest; dawn brings farewells. Mahadev forgive us."
Gandhari added softly, "Let peace mend what pride broke. Kunti, sister, come—console our children." Kunti nodded, red-eyed, linking arms with Gandhari, leading the women—Draupadi, Dushala, Bhanumati—away.
The Pandavas followed Kunti to her chambers, lit by flickering lamps. Kunti turned, her voice breaking. "Yudhishthira, how could dice claim your kingdom, brothers, soul? Thirteen years—torn from home, My heart bleeds for this folly!" Tears streamed as she clutched Yudhishthira.
"Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva—did you see no madness in consenting? My sons, reduced to slaves?"
Yudhishthira knelt, choked. "Mata, forgive—I sought dharma, but pride blinded me. Draupadi, your eyes accuse more than words."
Bhima, slumped, growled through tears. "Mata, I should've smashed the board—my strength failed."
Arjuna whispered, "Mata, forests test us, but your prayers light the way. Forgive my dull arrow."
Nakula said, "Mata, we're your sons—exile won't dim our bond."
Sahadeva added, "Wisdom came late—your love is our kingdom."
Draupadi embraced Kunti, steel in sorrow. "Vanvas calls—I stand with them, fireborn, unbroken." They wept, Kunti murmuring, "Mahadev guide you—return as dharma's light."
In the Kauravas' quarters, Gandhari gathered her sons, her voice a torrent. "Suyodhana, how could you let my brother Shakuni devour your cousins? You were raised to protect the weak, not to be complicit in exile? Thirteen years—for a game's whim? My heart aches for Kunti, Draupadi, our blood spilled in pride!"
Duryodhana knelt, tears streaming. "Mata, forgive me—the Mayasabha burned, I sought revenge, not ruin. Rudra and Bahubali showed my sin—I've failed you."
Dushasana added, "Mata, I am also sorry I should have advised Jyesht not to continue this game."
Vikarna bowed, "Mata, your words mirror our shame—we've strayed."
Gandhari softened to sorrow. "Rise, reflect. Mend with humility, or crumble." They embraced her, tears mingling, the night heavy with regret.
Bahubali, with Rudra and Dushala in guest chambers, held Dushala. "Bahu, you halted the abyss, but exile… thirteen years?"
Bahubali soothed, "I steered what fate allowed—Yudhishthira's pride sealed it. They'll return stronger. Rudra, you spoke well—your heart honored your Gurudev teachings." Rudra nodded quietly.
Dawn broke, the palace stirring for farewells. The Pandavas, in saffron dhoti, gathered at the gates, faces resolute yet shadowed. Kunti embraced them, tears flowing. Pandavas are trying to console her.
Draupadi vowed, "Mata, I'll be their strength—fireborn, unquenched." Gandhari blessed, trembling. "Nephews, my heart weeps—May Mahadev light your path."
Duryodhana approached low. "Cousins, forgive my part. Exile harsh—Hastinapur waits."
Yudhishthira clasped arm. "Suyodhana, dice divided—time heals."
Bhima grunted, "Watch back—we return." Arjuna nodded curtly, Nakula and Sahadeva bowed.
The Pandavas' chariots rolled out, Kunti's sobs echoing, gates closing on fractured family. In Indraprastha, they prepared—packing essentials, bidding retainers farewell, Draupadi tying hair. Yudhishthira said, "Brothers, Panchali, vanvas tests souls—dharma our companion." Bhima vowed, "I'll carry you through forests." Arjuna added, "Gandiva guards nights." Nakula and Sahadeva promised, "We'll tend fires and wounds." Draupadi, resolute, said, "Together, conquer exile."
The chariots departed for forests, Pandavas' exile beginning under Mahadev's gaze, path of trials, growth, dharma's call.