Shakuni is a character in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. He was the brother of Gandhari, the wife of King Dhritarashtra, who was blind. Shakuni was known for his skill in gambling, and he used this to great effect in the Mahabharata. He played a key role in the events leading up to the Kurukshetra War, which is the central conflict of the epic.
Shakuni is often portrayed as a villain in the Mahabharata, as he was instrumental in the downfall of the Kuru dynasty. He is said to have orchestrated the game of dice between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, which led to the exile of the Pandavas and eventually the Kurukshetra War. Shakuni was also responsible for the death of Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, during the war.
In some versions of the Mahabharata, Shakuni is depicted as a master of illusions and magic, which he uses to manipulate his opponents. Despite his villainous actions, Shakuni is considered a tragic figure in the Mahabharata, as he was motivated by a desire for revenge against the Kuru dynasty for the mistreatment of his sister Gandhari.