By KK Shanmukhan
The prince and heir-apparent of Hastinapura. A human incarnation of envy and greed. A strong man with unwavering willpower. A good speaker and diplomat. But he was also a good friend. Maybe due to self-interest, he however recognised Karan’s abilities and made him king of Anga. He maintained his friendship with Karna until the last breath.
He had an impeccable commanding power and nobody could be devoid of the spell of his command—including his father, the king, his grandsire Bhishma and his master Drona himself.
Duryodhana is the best example as to what extent an evil mind can travel. He tried to kill Bhima in many ways and failed. He, in the fullest knowledge and agreement of his father, built the wax palace and planned to immolate the Pandavas. He in connivance with his uncle Sakuni, deceived Yudhishtira and wrested out what legally and hereditarily belonged to him. Having banished the Pandavas out of their country to the forest, he even went there to ‘enjoy’ their sufferings. He sent Durvasa trickily to make him curse the Pandavas. Duryodhana sent Mukasura in the guise of a wild boar to kill Arjuna. He refused even a needle point of land to them. Having caused the death of all his brothers and innumerable friends and their warriors he hid himself in a pond. Finally in a single combat with Bhima, his thigh was broken and he fell to death.
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