The Pandavas had gone some distance when the messenger caught up with them and conveyed the king’s command. Yudhisthira’s brothers were not in favour of entertaining the invitation, knowing that this was another plot of Duryodhana. Yudhisthira said, “I know fully well what is to follow. Would Rama not have known that there could be no deer made of gold? Yet he pursued it for that was ordained by fate. Besides, we have to honour the king’s command.” With his brothers and Draupadi he turned back to Hastinapura.

As Yudhisthira reached the gambling hall, the assembly was already full. Shakuni started the proceedings and described the wager to Yudhisthira. Yudhisthira agreed to the terms and the dice rolled once again. The inevitable happened. Shakuni called right. The Pandava brothers, along with Draupadi, were now condemned to spend the next twelve years in the forest and a thirteenth year incognito.