The wicked-minded Duryodhana, guided by the bird of the evil omen, (Shakuni), ! persecuted the Pandavas by various means in order to have the undisputed possession of the kingdom.
ततो दुर्योधनः शूरः कुलिङ्गस्य मते स्थितः। पाण्डवान्विविधोपायै राज्यहेतोरपीडयत्॥