11
votes
After Dhritarashtra, why was Yudhishthira and not Duryodhana considered the next in line to be the king?
In Bharata dynasty (in which Yudhishthira and Duryodhana were born), it was not necessary that only the eldest son of a king will become the next king. The one who was worthy of becoming a king used ...
- 24k
8
votes
Does the Mahabharata give reasons why Duryodhana went to heaven?
Yes, it is mentioned in Mahabharta, Book 18: Svargarohanika Parva: Section 1 that Duryodhana went to heaven because he sacrificed his life in war.
"Narada, smiling, told him, ‘It should not be so, ...
- 23.7k
7
votes
Accepted
Why did Maharishi Maitreya curse Duryodhana?
The detailed story can be found in The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Aranyaka Parva: Section X.
Maitreya on a pilgrimage to the different shrines, saw Yudhishthira in the woods of Kamyaka.
Later ...
- 24k
7
votes
What was Duryodhana's actual name?
Both are names for the same person and often used interchangeably. Suyodhan means one who is good with arms (in warfare). Duryodhan means unconquerable warrior. Naturally there can be many who are ...
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7
votes
Interaction between Krishna and Duryodhana to stop the war
The confrontation between Duryodhana and Krishna happens in the Bhagwata Yana Parva of the Udyoga Parva of Mahabharata. The links to the entire incident are as follows:
Krishna decides to solicit for ...
- 4,430
6
votes
Accepted
When and why did Duryodhan give sweet kheer mixed with poison to Bhima?
Sources : Adi Parva -> Sambhava Parva of Mahabharata (link1, link2)
When and why did Duryodhan give sweet kheer mixed with poison to Bhima?
Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the sons of king Pandu, ...
- 24k
6
votes
Accepted
Did Karna really play dice with Duryodhana's wife, Bhanumati?
This story is nowhere mentioned in the Vyasa Mahabharata.
However, southern versions like Perundevanar's Bharata Vemba, Pampa's Vikramarjuna Vijaya and Villiputturar's Bharatam do mention this ...
- 4,430
6
votes
Accepted
Were all the Kauravas married?
Yes, the other lesser-known Kauravas were also married and had children but Vyasa and the other Mahabharata characters don't seem to address their wives and children by their first names.
In ...
- 30.6k
5
votes
Accepted
Is the notion of Bhishma preferring Arjuna's bed of arrows to pillows brought in by Duryodhana authentic?
Bhishma preferring the pillow of arrow over Kauravas ordinary pillows is present in Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva, SECTION CXXI.
Then Santanu's son Bhishma of righteous soul addressed the Pandavas and ...
- 23.7k
5
votes
Was Duryodhana a better mace-fighter than Bhima?
Does Mahabharata say somewhere that Duryodhana was a better mace fighter than Bhima?
Yes, it was said by lord Krishna when the last fight between Bhima and Duryodhana was going on that Bhima is ...
- 23.7k
5
votes
Did Draupadī ridicule Duryodhana calling him 'Blind Son of a Blind Father?'
According to this translation of the Āndhra Mahābhārata, it appears that along with all five Pāṇḍavas, Draupadī also laughed at Duryodhana:
Suyodhana walked on such a plain ground and fell into a ...
- 30.6k
5
votes
Accepted
What are the three mistakes made by Duryodhana in the kurukshetra war?
No such event of raising 3 fingers happened between Duryodhana & Krishna.
After Duryodhana was stuck down with broken thighs, he angrily complained to Krishna about how his tactics of deceit had ...
- 19.7k
4
votes
Why did Bhima kill Duryodhana unfairly?
Duryodhana's upper body was made of vajras (diamonds) and hence no one can kill him by striking anywhere on his upper body. This is explained in Vana Parva of Mahabharata when Duryodhana wants to ...
- 30.6k
4
votes
Why did Karna choose not to fight on the side of the Dharma?
Karna very well understood that he is the son of Pandu (in theory) and Krishna is talking about securing Dharma back. However, he had following reasons:
Kunti abandoned him without thinking about his ...
- 19.7k
4
votes
What are the three mistakes made by Duryodhana in the kurukshetra war?
Duryodhana did not raise three fingers. Duryodhana didn't die thinking about his regrets, he died happy about Ashwatthama killing the Upapandavas. Here is what this chapter of the Sauptika Parva of ...
- 97.2k
3
votes
Accepted
Did Gandhari ever remove her blindfold?
Indeed, Gandhari never removed her blindfold. However, there is one instance from where one can estimate the power she from her penance. It was not for rendering Duryodhana's body hard as thunderbolt, ...
3
votes
When did Duryodhana know that Karna is Kunti's son?
Duryodhan never knew that Karna was the son of Kunti, because Kunti revelaed this truth after finishing the war means Duryodhan was already dead when kunti revealed the truth to pandava.Source [https:/...
- 283
3
votes
Accepted
Kalidasa on good and bad people
I try to avoid this site but this page came up when I was searching for Kālidāsa on StackExchange, so let me post an answer anyway.
Firstly, this is obviously not from Kālidāsa's Meghadūta. The ...
- 176
3
votes
Were all the Kauravas married?
Yes all of the kauravas were married. It is mentioned that each of the hundred brothers had found a wife for themselves.
Quote:
"And, O, king, worthy wives were in time selected for all of them by
...
- 1,206
2
votes
Accepted
Is Duryodhana awarded as leader of Rakshashas by Lord Shiva?
I am doing research of Mahabharata in parallel to asking this question and I would like to add my findings here as an answer here for future reference
When Duryodhana goes to Aranya where Dharma raja ...
- 1,266
2
votes
Is the notion of Bhishma preferring Arjuna's bed of arrows to pillows brought in by Duryodhana authentic?
Seems authentic as Bibek Debroy's translation based on the BORI critical edition of Mahābhārata also mentions the incident.
The Mahabharata - Volume 5
Chapter 975 (115)
...
The great-...
- 30.6k
2
votes
Did Draupadī ridicule Duryodhana calling him 'Blind Son of a Blind Father?'
Kshemendra, 11th Century C.E. in his Bharatamanjari too alludes to the incident:
Bhima, with brother(s), and the Raaja lalanaa: (royal women), all laughed at Duryodhana: See image here: https://docs....
1
vote
Is it adharma for a daasi to be stripped by her swami?
On command of Ambika/Ambalika their daasi visited Vyasa and Vidura born.
Dhritrastra had a son named Yuyutsu from a daasi during Gandhari's pregnancy.
But, such things were not agreed by all daasis. ...
- 24k
1
vote
Did Duryodhana plan Rajasuya to establish Dharma?
Yes, it is mentioned in the Mahabharata. (In the GhoshYatra Parv, Chapter 253 to 256).
After the exile of Pandavas, Duryodhana planned to perform a Rajasuya yagy similar to Yudhishthira, because he ...
- 857
1
vote
As Duryodhana's Senapati did Bhishma carry out treachery and/or dereliction of duty by commission and/or omission?
Bhishma allowed atrocities to happen under his watch which resulted in war. He chose loyalty to the King than service to the people, a violation of Dharma.
When a General sees his own side is ...
- 541
1
vote
Did Draupadī ridicule Duryodhana calling him 'Blind Son of a Blind Father?'
There is mention of drapadi laughing but no mention of saying anything. From SECTION XLIX, Mahabharata
...And when I was tired, they that brought those valuable articles from distant
p. 101
regions ...
- 107
1
vote
What was Duryodhana's actual name?
His actual name was Suyodhana and he was later on known as Duryodhana.
It's the other way round as Nityānanda Miśra clarifies in a series of tweets starting with this. He's referring to this verse ...
- 30.6k
1
vote
Why did Balarama favor Duryodhana?
Balarama did not always favor Duryodhana. It is explained in Vana Parva SECTION CXIX that Balarama favored Yudhishthira.
Then Valarama, resembling in hue the milk of the cow and the Kunda flower and ...
- 3,106
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