a mighty family--the Pandavas, who were incessantly
pursued by the envy of the Kauravas, their rivals. The fortunes of the
Pandavas were at the height of human prosperity; and at this point the
universal conception of an avenging Nemesis that humbles the proud and
casts down the mighty, finds full expression in the Hindoo epic. The
grandeur of the Pandavas excited the jealousy of Duryodhana, and revived
the old feud between the Kauravas and the former. Duryodhana plotted
with his brother Duhsasana and his uncle Sakuni, how they might
dispossess the Pandavas of their newly-acquired territory; and at length
they determined to invite their kinsmen to a gambling match, and seek by
underhand means to deprive Yudhishthira of his Raj, or kingdom.(16)

(16) The old Sanskrit words _Raj_, 'kingdom,' and Raja, 'king,' are
evidently the origin of the Latin _reg-num, reg-o, rex, regula_, 'rule,'
&c, reproduced in the words of that ancient language, and continued in
the derivative vernaculars of modern names--_re, rey, roy, roi, regal,
royal, rule_, &c. &c.

It appears from the poem that Yudhishthira was invited to a game at
coupun; and the legend of the great gambling match, which took place at
Hastinapur, is related as follows:

'And it came to pass that Duryodhana was very jealous of the _Rajasuya_
or triumph that his cousin Yudhishthira had performed, and he desired in
his heart to destroy the Pandavas, and gain possession of their Raj. Now
Sakuni was the brother of Gandhari, who was the mother of the Kauravas;
and he was very skilful in throwing dice, and in playing with dice that
were loaded; insomuch that whenever he played he always won the game. So
Duryodhana plotted with his uncle, that Yudhishthira should be invited
to a match at gambling, and that Sakuni should challenge him to a game,
and win all his wealth and lands.

'After this the wicked Duryodhana proposed to his father the Maharaja,
that they should have a great gambling match at Hastinapur, and that
Yudhishthira and his brethren should be invited to the festival. And the
Maharaja was glad in his heart that his sons should be friendly with the
sons of his deceased brother, Pandu; and he sent his younger brother,
Vidura, to the city of Indra-prastha to invite the Pandavas to the game.
And Vidura went his way to the city of the Pandavas, and was received by
them with every sign of attention and respect. And Yudhishthira inquired
whether his kinsfolk and friend