Week 7 Story: Duryodhana Strikes

                Duryodhana sat alone in his study and puzzled over the popularity of his cousins. Earlier in the day he had walked through the market and only heard mention of his cousins. He heard no mention of him or any of his brothers. This omission angered him greatly. He wanted to step out of the shadow of his cousins and into the light of the public eye. He wanted to be the king. Finally, after he could take no more of the anger he felt, he retired to his bed chambers.

Duryodhana wake the next day and left for the palace to meet with his father, Dhritarashtra. On his way he listened for any talk of him and his brothers. He heard nothing. Instead he heard that Yudhistira had been crowned heir apparent. Enraged by this news, he stormed to through the gates of the palace and into his father’s study. He slammed his hands on the desk and demanded that his father explain why he named Yudhistira as heir apparent. Dhritarashtra, displeased, looked up from his work and stared down his glasses at Duryodhana. He measured his words and told Duryodhana that he chose Yudhistira because he was so proud of his accomplishment under Drona. Duryodhana beseeched his father to reconsider the decision and explained to him that this announcement undermines his authority as king.

Duryodhana said, “The people think that you are abdicating your throne because they are blinded by admiration for my cousins.”

Dhritarshtra, alarmed by this account, told Duryodhana that he would consult his advisor on how to proceed. Dhritarshtra called in his advisor and asked how they should proceed. The advisor suggested that they lure the brothers into a trap.

Dhritarashtra decided to rid himself of the sons of Pandu. He called Yudhistira to meet with him and told him that he needed him to go to a land called Varanavata. Yudhistira accepted left soon after.

Duryodhana listened in and set up a meeting with an architect in Varanavata for Yudhistira. Because Yudhistira and his brothers would be living in Varanavata for some time, they would need to build a house. This architect constructs a grand house for the Pandu brothers, but he packed the cavities of the walls with flammable materials such as straw soaked in oil. When the Pandu brothers have moved in, he informs Duryodhana that all has gone according to plan. Duryodhana orders that he set the house on fire. After the fire burns the building to a crisp. They search the building and find the charred remains of a woman and five men. Thinking he has killed his enemies. Duryodhana returns home to bear the news to his father.

The Pandavas escape the fire. Source

Author's Note:
I wanted to delve into the betrayal/court intrigue that happens in this epic. I thought the fire meant to kill the Pandavas would be a good topic. I told it from the perspective of Duryodhana because I wanted to highlight his rashness.

Bibliography
R.K. Narayan. Mahabharata. Kindle