The Jealousy of Duryodhana: A Prelude to War

The Growing Tensions Between the Pandavas and Kauravas

Bhima's immense physical strength and Arjuna's exceptional battle skills fueled Duryodhana's jealousy, which intensified each day. Duryodhana started to devise plans to destroy the Pandavas. He had his uncle Shakuni and Karna as advisors in his plot. Old Dhritarashtra, despite being wise, was deeply attached to his sons. Although he had affection for his nephews, the Pandavas, he lacked the decisiveness needed to stand against Duryodhana's malice. His inability to control his son led him to support actions he knew were wrong.

Meanwhile, the popularity of the Pandavas continued to rise. In marketplaces and assemblies, people often remarked that Yudhishthira was the rightful heir to the throne. They would say, “Dhritarashtra was blind from birth, so his younger brother Pandu occupied the throne. After Pandu's untimely demise, Dhritarashtra managed the kingdom temporarily due to the Pandavas' young age. Now that Yudhishthira has grown up, what right does Dhritarashtra have to retain control? It is Bhishma's duty to ensure the throne is handed over to Yudhishthira. He would govern the people justly.”

The Seeds of Deception

As Duryodhana witnessed the Pandavas' growing popularity, his envy consumed him further. One day, he approached Dhritarashtra alone and said, “Father, the citizens speak ill of us. Due to your blindness, even as the elder brother, you were denied kingship, and power shifted to your younger brother. If Yudhishthira is crowned king, we will never have the chance to rule, not for generations. This humiliation is unbearable for us.”

Hearing this, Dhritarashtra felt troubled. He replied, “Son, you are correct. However, opposing Yudhishthira is no easy task. He follows dharma, treats everyone equally, and possesses virtues similar to his father. As a result, the people adore him deeply.”

But Duryodhana had a plan. “Father, you don’t need to do much. Simply send the Pandavas to the fair at Varanavata on some pretext. I promise you this simple action will cause no harm.”

Determined to pressure his father, Duryodhana recruited several strategists to support him. They repeatedly visited Dhritarashtra, provoking his fears against the Pandavas. Among them was Karnik, a Brahmin and Shakuni's minister. Karnik presented various political maneuvers and examples to justify his arguments. He warned, “O King! Those with wealth and power are considered superior in this world. Though the Pandavas are your nephews, they possess immense strength. Therefore, you must take precautions now to protect yourself or regret it later.”

The Manipulation Continues

While Dhritarashtra pondered Karnik's words, Duryodhana approached him again. “Father, if you somehow persuade the Pandavas to go to Varanavata, our control over the city and kingdom will be assured. They can return happily later, and we will face no threat from them.”

Duryodhana and his allies constantly pressured Dhritarashtra. They spoke ill of the Pandavas and painted them as threats. Eventually, Dhritarashtra, weakened and helpless, gave in to his son's manipulative advice. Using enticing descriptions of Varanavata's beauty, Duryodhana's supporters lured the Pandavas with tales of an upcoming grand fair. Hearing such praises, the Pandavas, too, grew eager to visit Varanavata and sought Dhritarashtra's permission.

Delighted to receive permission, the Pandavas bid farewell to Bhishma and others. They set off for Varanavata with their mother Kunti. News of the Pandavas' departure brought immense joy to Duryodhana. He began plotting their demise with his confidants, Karna and Shakuni.

Duryodhana summoned his minister, Purochana, and devised a sinister plan. Purochana promised to execute it successfully and immediately left for Varanavata.

The Lac Palace

Upon reaching Varanavata ahead of the Pandavas, Purochana prepared accommodations for them. He constructed a splendid palace using highly flammable materials like hemp, ghee, wax, oil, lac, and animal fat mixed with clay. If the Pandavas arrived early, he had arranged alternate lodging for them.

Duryodhana’s plan was to let the Pandavas live comfortably in the palace for a few days until they felt secure. Then, one night, he would set the palace ablaze, burning the Pandavas to ashes. This would ensure that the Kauravas bore no blame for their demise.

While Duryodhana’s envy and schemes grew, the Pandavas remained unaware of the treachery that awaited them. Their noble nature and reliance on dharma would soon face an unprecedented challenge.

The Inevitable Conflict

The rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas set the stage for an inevitable conflict. The actions of Duryodhana, driven by jealousy and greed, would ultimately lead to the great Kurukshetra war.

The deep-seated enmity between the brothers not only highlights the consequences of unchecked ambition but also serves as a reminder of the importance of rightful leadership. The rightful heir, Yudhishthira, would soon face his greatest test.

Thus, the conflict rooted in Duryodhana's jealousy and Dhritarashtra's indecision spiraled into a narrative filled with ambition, betrayal, and an inevitable quest for justice that remains relevant even today.

This tale serves not only as a historical account but also as a powerful reminder of the impact of envy and the lengths to which people will go to acquire power.