After Śakuni told his unmatched skills in Dyūta, Duryodhana who was burning with jealousy at the unmatched prosperity of Yudhiṣṭhira endorsed Śakuni's cunning plan. He requested Dhṛtarāṣṭra to allow this plan to be executed. at this, Dhṛtarāṣṭra first said that he will consult with his trusted advisor, the wise Vidura as he always used to do.

Dhṛtarāṣṭra tried to infuse some sense into Duryodhana, telling him all he already had all the riches and comforts that he was enjoying, which the ordinary citizens could not even dream about. He tried to dissuade Duryodhana from playing Dyūta as Vidura did not speak well about this strategy.

Duryodhana along with Śakuni examined the entire palace adjoining the Sabhā mandapam. He had never seen such divine designs in Hastināpuram.

He saw a lake there. Beholding the (artificial) lotuses with which it was filled, he mistook it, for water. And seeing him draw up his clothes (while about to cross it), Bhimā laughed at him. He mistook a lake with crystal lotuses for land and fell into it. He committed more such blunders like and seeing his errors, some of the Pāṇḍavas (Arjuna, Bhīma etc.) laughed at him. Draupadī along with some other maids also laughed and this caused him great distress.

Yudhiṣṭhira was not one who laughted at Duryodhana's blunders.

(Please ignore the answer given to this question in the last week's quiz, which was incorrect)

The tribes living near the river Śailoda flowing between the mountains of Meru and Mandara, brought as gifts huge aquantities of gold which were from the ants that lived undergound.

The jealous Duryodhana with phenomenal memory, recalled all those precious gifts that were offered by hundreds of kings at the Rājasūya Yāga, to Yudhiṣṭhira. These included gems, gold, fragrances, camels, deer skins, honey, blankets, a number of swords with handles made of the purest ivory and well-adorned with diamonds and every kind of gems and many other precious things.

Referring to Arjuna and Krishna's best friendship, Duryodhana said the following.

Both are each other's soul. Krishna will accomplish whatever Arjuna says. He will even forsake Svargam for Arjuna and Arjuna will even give up his life for Krishna.

Arctic Ocean is very difficult to access for human beings. Only birds can reach there. But Pāṇḍavas have expanded their empire up to that place. Hundreds of conches brough from there, were continuously blown in the Sabhā mandapam, which gave goosebumps to Duryodhana. Some weak kings even fell down hearing those poweful sounds of conches.

One should not covet others' possessions. Therfore do not be jealous of the Pāṇḍavas who are your brothers. They are like your arms. Don't chop off your own hands. Yudhiṣṭhira knows no no deception, possesses wealth equal unto you and is not jealous of your prosperity. Do a lot of yagnas and offer charity. Enjoy all the luxuries available here and be peaceful. These were some of Dhṛtarāṣṭra's advice to Duryodhana.

There was a demon called Namuci who tormented Devas. Indra fought him but couldn't win. They entered into a compromise and Namuci extracted a boon from Indra with several conditions similar to Hiranyakashipu for him to be killed. His atrocities increased and Indra had to kill him. At a time which was neither day not night (but Sandhya kāl) and using a weapon which was neither dry nor wet - i.e., made of foam Indra killed Namuci. Duryodhana quoted this story to justify his adharmic attitude.

Commanded by Dhrtarashtra, Vidura reluctantly proceeded to Indraprastha and invited Yudhiṣṭhira to a game of dice. Hearing this, Yudhiṣṭhira was unwilling to play the game. He enquired Vidura, 'Who were all the dishonest gamblers waiting there to play him, besides the Kauravas?' Having known that the expert in gambling - Śakuni, Viviṃśati, Chitrasenan, Satyavratan, Burumitran, Jayan were some other big gamblers were waiting there, Yudhiṣṭhira said he was not inclined to play. However, if the wicked Śakuni called me to play, he said, he would not refuse.

Yudhiṣṭhira said,—‘The exalted Devala muni the son of Asita, who always instructs them about all those acts that may lead to heaven, hell, or the other regions, had said, that it is sinful to play deceitfully with a gambler. To obtain victory in battle without cunning strategy is the best way. Gambling, however, as a sport, is not so as it uses deceit. Śakuni, cunningly counters this argument by saying Dyūta is also a game of skill as many other competitions are.