Duryodhana: The Primary Antagonist of Mahabharata
Duryodhana, also known as Suyodhana, is the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was the eldest of the Kauravas, the hundred sons of King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari. His character is a blend of ambition, bravery, jealousy, and arrogance, making him one of the most complex figures in Indian mythology.
Birth and Early Years
A Miraculous Birth
Gandhari’s pregnancy lasted for an unusually long period, causing her much distress. Frustrated, she beat her womb, resulting in the expulsion of a hardened mass of flesh. Sage Vyasa, who had blessed her with the boon of a hundred sons, intervened. He divided the mass into one hundred and one pieces, placing each in a pot of milk. These pots were sealed and buried in the earth for two years. At the end of this period, the first pot was opened, and Duryodhana emerged. His birth was accompanied by ominous signs, such as animals howling and the earth trembling, which sages interpreted as foreboding the destruction of the Kuru dynasty.
Childhood and Upbringing
Duryodhana grew up in the royal palace of Hastinapura alongside his ninety-nine brothers and their cousin, Yudhishthira. Under the tutelage of skilled teachers like Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa, he mastered the arts of warfare. His closest companions were his brother Dushasana and his maternal uncle Shakuni, who often fueled his ambitions and rivalries.
Struggles for Power
The Crown Prince
As the eldest son of King Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana was the natural heir to the throne of Hastinapura. However, his claim was contested by his cousin Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas. This rivalry sowed the seeds of future conflicts. Despite Duryodhana’s position, he always felt overshadowed by Yudhishthira, who was older and perceived as more virtuous.
Transformation of Khandavaprastha
The Pandavas were granted a barren piece of land called Khandavaprastha, which they transformed into the prosperous city of Indraprastha with the help of Lord Krishna. This remarkable feat further incensed Duryodhana, especially when Yudhishthira performed the Rajasuya Yajna, a grand sacrificial ceremony that established him as an emperor over many other kingdoms.
The Humiliation at Indraprastha
During a visit to Indraprastha, Duryodhana slipped into a pool of water, mistaking it for solid ground. The incident led to much laughter from the Pandavas and their servants. Although popular retellings suggest that Draupadi taunted Duryodhana, the original text by Vyasa does not support this claim. Nonetheless, this incident deepened Duryodhana’s hatred for the Pandavas and particularly for Bhima and Draupadi.
The Dice Plot and Draupadi’s Humiliation
The Deceptive Game of Dice
Duryodhana’s uncle Shakuni devised a cunning plan to strip the Pandavas of their power. He invited Yudhishthira to a game of dice, knowing his weakness for gambling. Using loaded dice, Shakuni ensured that Yudhishthira lost everything, including his kingdom, wealth, brothers, and even Draupadi.
The Disrobing of Draupadi
The most infamous episode of this game was the disrobing of Draupadi in the Kaurava court. Dushasana attempted to strip her, but Lord Krishna intervened, miraculously providing her with an endless sari. This event deeply humiliated Draupadi and the Pandavas, setting the stage for a fierce vendetta. Duryodhana’s actions during this incident were driven by his deep-seated jealousy and desire for revenge.
The Kurukshetra War
Prelude to the War
After losing their kingdom in the dice game, the Pandavas were forced into a thirteen-year exile. Upon their return, they sought their rightful share of the kingdom, but Duryodhana refused, leading to the declaration of the Kurukshetra War.
Eighth Day: Battle with Rakshasas
On the eighth day of the war, Duryodhana faced the formidable Rakshasa forces of Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s son. Displaying his martial prowess, Duryodhana slew many rakshasas, including Vegavat, Maharudra, Vidyujihva, and Pramathin. His valor in battle was evident, though it came with great cost.
Fourteenth Day: Anger and Fury
The fourteenth day was marked by intense combat. After the death of Jayadratha, Duryodhana was filled with rage and launched a ferocious attack on the Pandava army. Although he defeated warriors like Uttamauja and Yudhamanyu in mace fighting, he was eventually overpowered by Yudhishthira, forcing him to retreat.
Fifteenth and Sixteenth Days: Resilience and Rescue
Duryodhana continued to demonstrate his combat skills. On the fifteenth day, he defeated Nakula, one of the Pandava brothers. The following day, he bravely faced Yudhishthira, but was ultimately rescued by Karna after losing his chariot. His resilience was noteworthy, even as the tide of war turned against him.
Seventeenth Day: Alone Against Many
On the seventeenth day, Duryodhana faced simultaneous attacks from multiple Pandava warriors, including Nakula and Sahadeva, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Dhrishtadyumna, and Satyaki. Remarkably, he managed to repel their group attack single-handedly, showcasing his exceptional skill and determination.
Gada-Yuddha (Mace Fight) and Death
The Final Challenge
On the eighteenth day, with his army reduced to himself, Ashwatthama, Kripa, and Kritvarma, Duryodhana sought refuge in a lake. When the Pandavas and Krishna found him, he proposed to gift the kingdom and retire, but Yudhishthira rejected the offer. Instead, Duryodhana was given the choice to duel any one of the Pandava brothers with a weapon of his choice. Confident in his expertise with the mace, he chose to fight Bhima.
The Duel with Bhima
Despite Bhima’s superior strength, Duryodhana had the advantage of better technique due to his rigorous training. The duel was long and brutal, with Duryodhana nearly exhausting Bhima. However, Krishna’s intervention reminded Bhima of his vow to crush Duryodhana’s thighs. Bhima struck Duryodhana’s thigh with his mace, a move considered illegal in mace fighting, and mortally wounded him. As Duryodhana lay on the ground, he lamented the unfair means of his defeat.
The Aftermath
Duryodhana’s defeat led to a dramatic confrontation between Krishna and Balarama, who was incensed by the violation of combat rules. Krishna pacified Balarama by recounting Duryodhana’s misdeeds and reminding him of the larger context of the war. Lying on the battlefield, Duryodhana boasted about his life and anticipated a glorious afterlife with his friends and relatives.
Final Moments and Death
Ashwatthama’s Vow
Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, and Kritvarma, having witnessed the duel, approached Duryodhana. Ashwatthama vowed to avenge him by killing the Pandavas and their allies. He later massacred the Upapandavas and the remnants of the Panchala army, returning to Duryodhana with blood-stained weapons. Seeing this, Duryodhana felt his revenge was complete and peacefully passed away.
Symbolism of Duryodhana’s Death
Duryodhana’s death symbolized the end of the great war. Sanjaya, who had been using divine sight to narrate the events to Dhritarashtra, lost his vision upon Duryodhana’s death. This marked the conclusion of the conflict and the end of an era.
Afterlife and Legacy
Duryodhana in Heaven
After the Pandavas’ eventual retirement and journey to heaven, Yudhishthira was shocked to find Duryodhana in the celestial realm. Narada explained that Duryodhana had fulfilled his religious duties and thus deserved his place in heaven.
Legacy
Duryodhana’s life and actions are a testament to the complexities of human nature. Despite his bravery and martial prowess, his unchecked ambition, jealousy, and arrogance led to his downfall. His story serves as a moral lesson on the consequences of one’s actions and the importance of virtue and righteousness.
