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The following article has been contributed by Nandana Gopal. We thank Nandana for another great contribution. The opinions and expressions below are the author's own.
Duryodhana: Dharma
For centuries, the Mahabharat has remained a staple in Indian mythological classics - the five Pandava brothers against all one hundred of their cousins: the Kauravas. On a surface level, it seems to be the classic tale of good fighting evil; however, the Mahabharat was written as something more.
Sage Vyasa, credited for detailing the events, used many characters and quests to relay critical life lessons to the audience. Themes he covered include but are certainly not limited to the importance of family, brotherhood, the individual's relationship with the gods, and wisdom and strategy in times of hardship.
Of the numerous ideals expressed, a commonly debated one is dharma - living by and never faltering in duty and righteousness. Dharma is the vigor and conviction one has to uphold their honor. Since the beginning of Hindu history, people have valued dharma above almost all else. Those who have fulfilled their dharma are granted the highest ranks in their passing on. This can be interpreted as being given the greatest honors in heaven or an exceptional reincarnation.
Because of its importance and association with positive connotations, it is often assumed that people strong in dharma are always the "good guys" for lack of a better term. This is, while relatively understandable, a foolish notion. The nuance of reality paves room for the morally ambiguous or even morally wrong to have equal standing as the morally correct after death so long as they fulfill their dharma.
It is this second point that Mahabharat outlines with the character Duryodhana. Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kaurava brothers and crown prince to Hastinapura, is considered one of the main antagonists in the epic. His driving motivator is his desire to see the Pandavas ruined. He grows jealous of their fame and prosperity leading him to scheme and scheme for their downfall. He tricks them into giving up their kingdom and exiles them for twelve years. Because of his jealousy, he ridiculed, disrespected, and violated Draupadi — the wife of the five Pandavas. Yet, despite all his heinous acts, he is the first, even before the Pandavas, to reach heaven.
The height of the conflict between the cousins - Pandavas and Kauravas - for the throne of Hastinapura resulted in the famous Battle of Kurukshetra. The battle was fought over eighteen days and was so violent and damaging that only twelve survivors remained. On the final day, Duryodhana found himself facing an impossible dilemma. Throughout his life, his main rival in the succession to the throne of Hastinapura was Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas. Duryodhana, faced with the defeat of his armies, seeing his brothers reduced to nothing, and cradling the last of his fight, goes to Yudhisthira and agrees to the Pandava's terms.
Yudhisthira, however, declines and tells Duryodhana to choose a Pandava brother for a one-on-one fight. Duryodhana chooses Bhima, the second eldest of the Pandavas. The two clash swords knowing one will not make it out alive. As Duryodhana takes the upper hand, it seems to all that Bhima's fall is inevitable; however, Lord Krishna signals to Bhima that it is time for the Pandava to fulfill his promise. Dishonorably, Bhima hits Duryodhana's thigh, under his belt, with his mace, in retribution for humiliating Draupadi. The Pandavas leave Duryodhana lying, bleeding out to his death.
Upon leaving the mortal world, Yudhisthira learns Duryodhana reached heaven far before him. Shocked and confused, Yudhisthira consults Narada. The divine being tells the eldest Pandava that Duryodhana had fulfilled his Kshatriya (warrior) dharma by falling in battle, thus securing his place in the life after death.
In essence, the lesson Sage Vyasa sought to teach humanity through Duryodhana's character as he wrote the Mahabharat was the importance of dharma and how it trumps all. Regardless of all the fear and negativity Duryodhana spread throughout his life and reign, his unfaltering honor in battle, the dharma of a Kshatriya, redeemed him.
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