In the previous episode, we had witnessed Duryodhana getting jealous and furious upon witnessing Yudishtra’s skyscraper growth within such a short span of time. As he looked around the Indraprastha palace, Duryodhana was awestruck on one hand as Mayan had done an excellent job in terms of the construction. Whereas, on the other hand, Duryodhana was completely taken aback with Yudishtra’s name and fame, as he had just obtained the title of “Chakravarthy” (A great king) post the “Raaja-Suya-Yaaga”. Also, with the magnificent palace, Duryodhana’s ego took a great hit! He fumed amidst his brothers and rushed back to Hastinapura, only to come across Sahuni first, who added fuel to Duryodhana’s fire of ego. Sahuni instigated him further by saying that things have completely gone out of hand after the Raaja-Suya Yaaga, and that, even if Duryodhana thinks of doing such a grand event, he might not be able to match the level to which Yudishtra achieved. All these words infuriated Duryodhana even further as he burst out loudly on Sahuni. He went to the extent of abusing Sahuni of taking the side of the Paandavas, after Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya.
Moving ahead, Duryodhana continues further thus: “Oh Sahuni uncle! I also know that it is now too late to capture the Paandavas through the means of war or any sorts of direct confrontation. I also know the fact that Bhagawan Vaasudeva Krishna is by their side and until He is there by the side of Yudishtra, there is no chance of taking them head-on. My question is very simple and straightforward to you – Taking them down through legal means is now next to impossible. Can we try some illegal ways and means of taking them down? Can we create a ploy in such a way that Yudishtra might fall into our trap and we can capture him? Can we do something that Yudishtra might not expect us to do, so that he would fall down? Oh uncle! I know that you’re too good at constructing such traps and ploys and that’s why I’m asking you!”
Saying thus, Duryodhana was point-blank and straightaway hit the bull’s eye for the first time ever. Till now, he was secretly and indirectly creating plots to kill the Paandava brothers, isn’t it? Now, things have nosedived southwards for him and he decided to take them on without any blemish. Hearing Duryodhana’s question, Sahuni replies thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Do you even know what you’re talking about? Your father had already allocated that “Kaandava-Prastha” officially to Yudishtra, isn’t it? Now that it has been officially given to him and that he has proved himself to be a great king, how on earth are you going to get it back?” For this, Duryodhana again burst out in anger thus, “Oh Sahuni uncle! This is exactly what I’m saying – I somehow want that portion of the kingdom back. I do not want Yudishtra to enjoy even a single inch of land from the Hastinapura kingdom. The entire kingdom should be owned only by me. I know that my father had foolishly given that portion of the kingdom to Yudishtra. Now I want it back. Suggest some ways and means of how to get it back!”
As Duryodhana explains thus, Sahuni again instigates him further – “Oh Duryodhana! Isn’t it “Adharma” that you’re trying to abduct someone else’s property? Your father has officially given it to Yudishtra and from that moment, the Indraprastha kingdom is rightfully Yudishtra’s, isn’t it? How can you take it back? Is it right on your part?” Hearing this, Duryodhana fumes further – “Oh Sahuni uncle! I don’t care about what is “Dharma” and “Adharma”. Please do not try to teach me all these lessons! I’ve heard about all this enough and more in my life till now! If I keep following “Dharma”, I’m never going to be successful in my life. The only way to succeed is via the “Adharma” route! Hence, whatever I do is “Dharma” according to me! I don’t really care what others might think!”
Basically, this is the problem with many of us today too – whenever we’re fuming with anger, we might not be able to differentiate between what is good and what is bad. This is exactly the pit where Duryodhana is also falling into! This is why we always keep explaining that we should try and maintain our demeanour at all times. We should keep ourselves calm and composed, no matter whatever problems come through. The moment we get angry, our brain stops functioning, and we end up making wrong decisions, which might prove to be disastrous at a later stage. This is exactly what Duryodhana is doing here – Because of his anger and frustration, Duryodhana is making a blunder for himself here, which is going to backfire at him very badly at a later stage, and we’re going to see how.
So for today, let us understand this point very clearly – Anger and frustration would let us down and prevent us from making the right decision at the right time. We should at all times try to control our anger and look at the problem holistically. We shall wait till the next episode to continue with what Duryodhana did next! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 