Śakuni Character Analysis in Mahabharata

Śakuni is an advisor to Duryodhana, helping him come up with and carry out his plan to rob the Pandavas of their kingdom by exploiting Yudhishthira’s gambling addiction. Śakuni represents the dangers of pride and jealousy, since, while his scheme to take away the Pandavas’ kingdom seems to work at first, it ultimately leads to the downfall of the Kauravas.

Śakuni Character Timeline in Mahabharata

The timeline below shows where the character Śakuni appears in Mahabharata. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Kripa is a Brahmin seer from Kuru. Śakuni is a mighty fighter in his chariot. Vidura is one of the wisest men in... (full context)

THE GAMBLING MATCH. Duryodhana and Śakuni linger in Yudhishthira’s great hall. Duryodhana sees a crystal floor in the hall and thinks... (full context)

Śakuni advises Duryodhana that Yudhishthira can’t be defeated in battle, so the best option is to... (full context)

Yudhishthira arrives at Dhritarashtra’s palace. He meets with Śakuni, who invites him to throw dice with him. Yudhishthira has misgivings about whether gambling is... (full context)

Śakuni proceeds to win many of Yudhishthira’s valuable possessions from him through using deceit and gambling.... (full context)

Meanwhile, Śakuni continues gambling, telling Yudhishthira that he’ll keep going if Yudhishthira still has wealth left to... (full context)

...thing Yudhishthira has left to wager is himself. He wagers himself and still loses to Śakuni. Now, Śakuni asks for one last throw: for Draupadi. Yudhishthira loses again, and Duryodhana prepares... (full context)

...brothers head back to Dhritarashtra’s hall, even though Yudhishthira fears the worst. At the hall, Śakuni explains the new competition and how it involves risking 12 years of exile in the... (full context)

Duryodhana refuses to accept their advice, and so he schemes with Śakuni about how to capture Krishna. But a wise warrior named Satyaki sees their conversation and... (full context)

...Bhima then slays what remains of Dhritarashtra’s sons (aside from Duryodhana). Sahadeva manages to decapitate Śakuni. Seeing no allies around, Duryodhana goes to a nearby lake to reflect on how Vidura’s... (full context)