DURJODHANA (DURYODHANA) Durjodhana lost his reputation and prestige; he did not comprehend the Lord that Creator. He who causes suffering for the men of God, also suffers himself. (Gauri M. l, p. 225) The Lord shattered the pride of Durjodhana. (Bhairo Kabir, p. 1163) Durjodhana (Duryodhana) was the eldest son of Dhritarashtra. Being the eldest, he was the leader of the Kaurava princes in the great war of Mahabharata. After the death of Pandu, his five sons were brought to Hastinapur by Dhritarashtra and educated them alongwith his own sons.
There sprang up rivalries and jealousies. Yudhishthira, the eldest of Pandu brothers, was senior in age to Duryodhana, therefore when Dhritarashtra thought of making him his heir-apparent, Duryodhana strongly remonstrated against this proposal. After that the animosity between the Kauravas and Pandavas increased to such an extent that there were several plots to exterminate the Pandavas. The Pandavas had to face great odds. Duryodhana invited them to a gambling match, in which with the help of his maternal uncle Shakuni, he won from Yudhishthira everything, his brothers, his own freedom and even his wife Draupadi.
Duryodhana exultingly sent for Draupadi and when she refused to come, she was dragged by the hair of her head by Duhsasana. Duryodhana insulted her by asking her to sit upon his thighs. At this juncture Bhima vowed to break the thighs of Duryodhana for this offence and ultimately in the great war of Mahabharata, he fulfilled his vow. On the eighteenth day of the war, when Kauravas were badly defeated and all the brothers except Duryodhana were slain, Duryodhana hid himself in a lake. He was discovered and brought out with taunts.
Ultimately in the dual that followed, he was killed by Bhima, with his mace. Both Duryodhana and Bhima had learnt the use of mace under the tutorship of Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna. In the war Kristina sided with Pandavas and his army with Kauravas. See : Daropadi (Draupadi) and Krishna
References :
1. Kohli, Surindar Singh (ed), Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993
Duryodhana, also referred to as Durjodhana in certain texts, is a pivotal character in the epic Mahabharata, one of the most significant works in Hindu mythology. The eldest of the Kauravas, Duryodhana is depicted as ambitious, strong-willed, and deeply flawed. His relentless pursuit of power and enmity towards the Pandavas leads to the tragic and cataclysmic battle of Kurukshetra, marking the climax of the Mahabharata narrative.
Duryodhana’s Role in Hindu Mythology
Duryodhana’s persona is marked by qualities that both fascinate and caution readers. His unwavering belief in his rights to the throne of Hastinapura, despite ethical and rightful claims by the Pandavas, fuels much of the tension in the Mahabharata. His jealousy and pride lead to numerous unjust acts, including the infamous game of dice, which culminated in the disrobing of Draupadi, an event that cemented his reputation as a villain in the epic.
While his flaws are central to his portrayal, Duryodhana’s character is not entirely devoid of redeeming qualities. He exhibits traits of generosity and loyalty—particularly to his confidant Karna—and is depicted as a skilled warrior and leader. His tragic downfall serves as a profound lesson on the consequences of unchecked ambition, arrogance, and moral compromise.
