Q.- Write down the character sketch of Duryodhana.
Ans : Duryodhana is one of the central figures in the Mahabharata. He was the eldest son of King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari, and the leader of the Kauravas. His real name was Suyodhana, but because of his wicked nature, he came to be known as Duryodhana, meaning “the difficult warrior.”
- Physical Qualities: Duryodhana was a mighty warrior and skilled in the art of mace-fighting. He was strong, brave, and fearless. His body was compared to the trunk of an elephant, and he had the stamina of a lion. In terms of physical ability, he was no less than the Pandavas.
2. Nature and Personality:-
- Jealous and Proud: Duryodhana could not tolerate the prosperity and glory of the Pandavas, especially after Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya sacrifice. His jealousy and arrogance often blinded his sense of justice.
- Ambitious: He desired the throne of Hastinapura at any cost and was ready to adopt any means—fair or unfair—to achieve it.
- Generous to Friends: Despite his negative qualities, Duryodhana was kind to his friends. His friendship with Karna is the best example. He made Karna the king of Anga when others insulted him for being a charioteer’s son.
- Disrespectful to Elders: Unlike the Pandavas, he often ignored the advice of Bhishma, Vidura, and even his father, Dhritarashtra. He followed only Shakuni’s cunning advice.
3. His Role in the Dicing Episode: Duryodhana, under the guidance of Shakuni, invited the Pandavas to a game of dice. His greed and jealousy made him approve the unfair means used in the game. As a result, Yudhishthira lost his kingdom, brothers, himself, and even Draupadi. The humiliation of Draupadi in the Kaurava court was mainly due to Duryodhana’s cruel command.
4. His Role in the Kurukshetra War: Duryodhana was the main cause of the great war. He rejected all peaceful attempts made by Lord Krishna and the elders. Even when Krishna himself came as a messenger and asked for just five villages for the Pandavas, Duryodhana arrogantly refused. On the battlefield, he fought bravely till the end and never gave up.
5. Positive Side of Duryodhana: Though he is often remembered as a villain, Duryodhana also had positive traits:
- He was a loyal friend.
- He respected Karna deeply and stood by him till death.
- He was a courageous warrior who faced the Pandavas without fear.
Conclusion: Duryodhana’s character is a mixture of bravery and arrogance, generosity and cruelty. His jealousy and ambition led to the destruction of the Kuru dynasty. Though he had some noble qualities, his negative traits overshadowed them. He remains one of the most tragic figures of the Mahabharata because his flaws brought about his downfall and the great war.
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