Sushmajee
Biographies | Men
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| Duryodhan-6 |
Duryodhan-6 1.
Duryodhan in His Childhood Duryodhan Duryodhan was an unfortunate son of blind father Dhritraashtra and self-blind mother Gaandhaare, and a nephew of ill-minded uncle Shakuni. Had his father not been blind, it could be that he would have inherited the kingdom in a regular manner and he would not have had to fight for it. He committed his greatest mistake in not parting with five villages for the five Paandav and he had to die for his that adamancy. However more unfortunate than Duryodhan in the Mahaabhaarat was Karn, who according to Krishn, was killed by several people, ie, (1) by Kuntee (his own mother) by abandoning him, (2) by mother earth through the curse of the Braahman, (3) by Parashuraam Jee (his own Guru), (iv) by Indra through asking his life - Kavach and earrings in alms appearing in disguise of a Braahman at the time when he could not say no to him and (5) by Krishn himself. Of course (6) Karn killed himself too by trying to save his friend Duryodhan in spite of knowing that he was fighting for A-Dharm, Otherwise Karn could have had the covetous position of the five Paandav serving him.. In fact if one is brought up in a very 'negative environment,' one is bound to develop criminal mentality. Most criminals have a troubled childhood. But it seems that Mbh shows its effect more than that... but Karn never took any active part in Baaranaavat plan and even in Dice game cheating. His active part was only at one point when he abused Draupadee in the Dice court. There is another ludicrous interpretation going about Krishn's 'offering' of Draupadee to Karn. Read in the light of Kautilya's Arth Shaashtra, we get the actual meaning of what Krishna actually meant. Karn's tragedy is over-stated. Ashwatthaamaa was the another 'negative influence' on Duryodhan. How greedy are the father Drone and his son. After the Dice game, when Dhritarashtra and Duryodhan feared to claim rule over Indra Prasth, the father and son became willing rulers over it. Significantly, in Braahman texts, Vritra's birth is associated with "Drone" (= Drone means Kalash, container of Som). MBH and its characters cannot be understood in isolation. Reading Rig Ved (in particular) and the Braahman Texts is a must - and of course Kautilya. All dictum of Kautilya have their base in MBH narratives. What Kautilya writes as theory, Vyaas has stated them in narrative form with occasional theories. From Ved to MBH to Kautilya is the transition of "mode of communication" from "prayer-narrative" to "narrative-theory" to "theory." We are now living in the age of theory. A rotation of wheel is certainly forthcoming. Nowadays, there is growing tendency among theory-belchers to include narratives and even 'prayers' (personal experiences written lyrically etc. or suchlike things) in their dry theories. I believe Vyaas's "Koot" (actually called Granthagranthim, not 'Shlok') are actually in the "name of characters" and NOT to be found in Shlok - that is traditionally believed by scholars. Duryodhan once says While greed and hatred got the excess of Duryodhan and he did not want to part even with 5 villages, Even Draupadee was humiliated in retaliation for an insult, not otherwise. It is also mentioned at numerous locations that Duryodhan was well respected by many kings. Normally we don't hear any incident of his ill behavior in the whole MBH except with Paandav. you say: "And Karna was in no way involved in the Bhima poisoning incident, because Karna starts playing a major role only after the tournament." Now, what you is only what I call the 'dominant narrative.' Pl read the 'alternative narratives' - in Van Parv, in Karn Parvan (e.g. Krishn's words to Karn on the eve of the Arjun-Karn duel), and in Shaanti Parv. You will then find overwhelming evidence that Karn was present in Hastinaapur as Duryodhan's friend long before the tournament, and Kuntee already knew him as her son long before because she kept track of him through her spies. Karn was Kripaa and Drone's disciple too. Karn's foster-father was Dhritrashtra's friend, not charioteer. Duryodhan could not have given Ang to Karn bypassing Jaraasandh - see the map of ancient India (wikipedia), and you will find the illogicality of the 'dominant narrative.' What tilts the balance in favor of Karn's greatness is that his was the sole positive voice that was heard when attempts were made to dishonor (disrobe) Draupadee. Even Bheem seemed to appreciate that. Krishn was, of course. not there at that time and Dharmaavataar Vidur came to her rescue. I think that makes Karn the greatest among all the characters in the MBH, other than Krishn. I think it was Karn who
ordered Dushaasan to disrobe Draupadee (it was not Karn who ordered for
disrobing her, but it was Duryodhan, he just only supported Duryodhan)
and called her a prostitute.
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Created by Sushma Gupta On 5/27/04
Contact: sushmajee@yahoo.com
Modified on 07/01/13