12- Who was responsible for Draupadi's insult after the game of dice

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Bharathi199

Active Member
In the story of the Mahabharatha, it is generally thought that the Kauravas, that is Duryodhana, Dusshasana and the rest of the brothers followed the path of adharma while the Pandavas followed the path of dharma. The Kaurava brothers carried out many acts of adharma. Even when they were children, Duryodhana tried to poison Bhima and kill him by throwing him into the river. When they grew up, the hatred they had for the Pandavas only grew and at every stage Duryodhana kept trying to cause harm to his cousins in some way.

The worst of this took place when the game of dice was played in Hastinapur’s grand assembly hall between Yudishtira and Sakuni, playing on behalf of Duryodhana. A skilled player, Sakuni won every time and soon Yudishtira had lost everything he owned. Finally, urged by Sakuni, he pledged Draupadi as well.

As soon as Yudishtira pledged Draupadi, the whole assembly hall was shocked. Bhishma, Drona, Kripa were all very anxious while Vidura put his head in his hands in despair. However, Dhritrasthra was keen to know if Sakuni had won the game. Karna and Dusshanasa, along with others, laughed outloud.

Sabha Parva: Sisupala Badha Parva:
The Mahabharata, Book 2: Sabha Parva: Sisupala-badha Parva: Section LXIV

But Dhritarashtra glad, at heart, asked repeatedly, 'Hath the stake been won?' 'Hath the stake been won?' and could not conceal his emotions. Karna with Dussassana and others laughed aloud, while tears began to flow from the eyes of all other present in the assembly. And the son of Suvala (Sakuni), proud of success and flurried with excitement and repeating. Thou hast one stake, dear to thee, etc. said,--'Lo! I have won' and took up the dice that had been cast."

Sakuni cast his dice and won the game. Duryodhana ordered a servant to bring Draupadi to the assembly hall to sweep the chambers and live with the other serving women.

Duryodhana says: “Bring hither Draupadi the dear and loved wife of the Pandavas. Let her sweep the chambers, force her thereto, and let the unfortunate one stay where our serving-women are.”

Draupadi questioned the servant about whether Yudishtira lost himself first or her and sent him back to get an answer. Seeing this, Duryodhana sent Dusshasana to drag Draupadi to the hall. Dusshasana dragged Draupadi by her hair into the hall, calling her a slave. Seeing this, the elders and all others in the hall except three- Dusshasana, Karna, Sakuni, apart from Duryodhana, became very sad.

And Dussasana, beholding Krishnaa (Draupadi was also known as Krishnaa) looking at her helpless lords, dragging her still more forcibly, and addressed her, 'Slave, Slave' and laughed aloud. And at those words Karna became very glad and approved of them by laughing aloud. And Sakuni, the son of Suvala, the Gandhara king, similarly applauded Dussasana. And amongst all those that were in the assembly except these three and Duryodhana, every one was filled with sorrow at beholding Krishnaa thus dragged in sight of that assembly.

Vikarna, brother of Duryodhana protested at this and asked the elders to stop what was happening but they remained silent. Finally, Vikarna himself announced that in his view Draupadi had not been won at the game and she should not be treated like this. Hearing him say so, Karna became very angry. He told Vikrana that he was wrong and that Draupadi now belonged to Duryodhana since he had won her at the game of dice.
Karna insisted that he had ‘excellent reasons’ to explain why Draupadi belonged to Duryodhana now. He called Draupadi an ‘unchaste woman’ and said that the robes the Pandavas and the clothing of Draupadi should be taken off.

... the son of Radha (Karna), deprived of his senses by anger, waving his well-shaped arms, said these words, ‘... O son of the Kuru race, the gods have ordained only one husband for one woman. This Draupadi, however, hath many husbands. Therefore, certain it is that she is an unchaste woman. To bring her, therefore, into this assembly attired though she be in one piece of cloth--even to uncover her is not at all an act that may cause surprise. Whatever wealth the Pandavas had--she herself and these Pandavas themselves,--have all been justly won by the son of Suvala. O Dussasana, this Vikarna speaking words of (apparent) wisdom is but a boy. Take off the robes of the Pandavas as also the attire of Draupadi’.
Hearing these words the Pandavas, O Bharata, took of their upper garments and throwing them down sat in that assembly. Then Dussasana, O king, forcibly seizing Draupadi's attire before the eyes of all, began to drag it off her person.


So, it was Duryodhana who ordered that Draupadi should be dragged into the hall. It was Dusshasana who actually carried out that order. It was Karna who said Draupadi should be disrobed. While these three were at fault to the largest extent, the elders, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, who did not stop the act were also to blame. Dhritrashtra, who was keen to know if Draupadi had been won, was very much to blame too. Vikarna and Vidura who repeatedly said that this was wrong, were the only two people in the Kaurava side who stood by what was right.
 
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Bharathi199

Active Member
Also gratitude puts him in wrong path....
Whether Karna, at any time feels for his wrong doings...?
After Krishna goes to Hastin to ask for 5 villages and Dury refuses, Krishna asks Karna to accompany him for a bit when he rides back to the Pandavas. Karna agrees and as they are riding back Krishna tells him to join the Pandavas since he is Kunti-putr. Karna refuses but at that point he does regret his actions 'temporarily' bcos during the war he does swing back to unfairness.
 

Bharathi199

Active Member
Also gratitude puts him in wrong path....
Whether Karna, at any time feels for his wrong doings...?
More than gratitude, it is his blind need to outshine Arjuna that kinda of made him ignore all else.
Reference from Adi Parva:
O bull of the Bharata race, many other princes also flocked to that best of Brahmanas for instruction in arms. The Vrishnis and the Andhakas, and princes from various lands, and the (adopted) son of Radha of the Suta caste, (Karna), all became pupils of Drona. But of them all, the Suta child Karna, from jealousy, frequently defied Arjuna, and supported by Duryodhana, used to disregard the Pandavas
 

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