Duryodhana's Birth, the Kali portion, and the Aftermath.

Wistfulness thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#1

The Mahabharata explicitly states that Duryodhana was a part of demon Kali, and all his brothers were demon incarnates. It's also stated that Duryodhana would be the exterminator of the Kuru race. This is something that's skipped by tv serials.





The evil-minded and wicked king Duryodhana, the destroyer of the fair fame of the Kurus, was born of a portion of Kali on earth. He it was who caused all creatures to be slain and the earth to be wasted; and he it was who fanned the flame of hostility that ultimately consumed all. They who had been the sons of Pulastya (the Rakshasas) were born on earth among men of Duryodhana's brothers, that century of wicked individuals commencing with Duhasasana as their first. And, O bull among the Bharata princes, Durmukha, Duhsaha, and others whose names I do not mention, who always supported Duryodhana (in all his schemes), were, indeed, the sons of Pulastya. And over and above these hundred, Dhritarashtra had one son named Yuyutsu born of a Vaisya wife.'


ADI PARVA


^ Here the destruction of the Kurus is attributed to Duryodhana.


"Know that Duryodhana was Kali, and Sakuni was Dwapara"


ASRAMAVASIKA PARVA


Moreover, there were several ill-omens that followed Duryodhana's birth and his physically/morally blind father was advised to abandon him for the kingdom's sake.


As soon as Duryodhana was born, he began to cry and bray like an ass. And hearing that sound, the asses, vultures, jackals and crows uttered their respective cries responsively. Violent winds began to blow, and there were fires in various directions. Then king Dhritarashtra in great fear, summoning Bhishma and Vidura and other well-wishers and all the Kurus, and numberless Brahmanas, addressed them and said, 'The oldest of those princes, Yudhishthira, is the perpetuator of our line. By virtue of his birth he hath acquired the kingdom. We have nothing to say to this. But shall this my son born after him become king? Tell me truly what is lawful and right under these circumstances.' As soon as these words were spoken, O Bharata, jackals and other carnivorous animals began to howl ominously And marking those frightful omens all around, the assembled Brahmanas and the wise Vidura replied, 'O king, O bull among men, when these frightful omens are noticeable at the birth of thy eldest son, it is evident that he shall be the exterminator of thy race. The prosperity of all dependeth on his abandonment. Calamity there must be in keeping him. O king, if thou abandonest him, there remain yet thy nine and ninety sons. If thou desirest the good of thy race, abandon him, O Bharata! O king, do good to the world and thy own race by casting off this one child of thine. It hath been said that an individual should be cast off for the sake of the family; that a family should be cast off for the sake of a village; that a village may be abandoned for the sake of the whole country; and that the earth itself may be abandoned for the sake of the soul.' When Vidura and those Brahmanas had stated so, king Dhritarashtra out of affection for his son had not the heart to follow that advice.


^ This is one of the reasons I deem Dhitarashtra the main villain. By succumbing to personal attachments he proved himself morally unworthy too.

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Wistfulness thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#2

It may be argued that nobody os born evil or good. But, exceptions exist. If Ram and Krishna could possess those godly virtues, why couldn't Duryodhana possess the demonic vices?

FlauntPessimism thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#3

Thankyou Shruti


Good information although I think they did show this in a few television shows

Wistfulness thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#4

Originally posted by: FlauntPessimism

Thankyou Shruti


Good information although I think they did show this in a few television shows

Oh did they cover this? Could you tell me which ones?
ImaginativeGirl thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#5

Originally posted by: Wistfulness

It may be argued that nobody os born evil or good. But, exceptions exist. If Ram and Krishna could possess those godly virtues, why couldn't Duryodhana possess the demonic vices?

Sorry, I don't agree with this.

I don't think anyone is born evil.

Nurture and influence plays a huge role in what we grow up to.

Hypothesis : if Duryodhana was born to Kunti, would her good nature not influence him? If he got better parents than the bitter Dhritarasthra and the irresponsible Gandhari, he would be a better person.

CaptainSpark thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#6

Is this also the reason why Duryodhana's birth was warned with jackals howling during his birth. Is this mentioned in any version?

CaptainSpark thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#7

Originally posted by: AnkitaPurka66

Sorry, I don't agree with this.

I don't think anyone is born evil.

Nurture and influence plays a huge role in what we grow up to.

Hypothesis : if Duryodhana was born to Kunti, would her good nature not influence him? If he got better parents than the bitter Dhritarasthra and the irresponsible Gandhari, he would be a better person.


Depends on the father.


Genes also play a role here. So if he was born of a "God" too, then maybe yes, he would be good. 🤣

Wistfulness thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#8

Originally posted by: AnkitaPurka66

Sorry, I don't agree with this.

I don't think anyone is born evil.

Nurture and influence plays a huge role in what we grow up to.

Hypothesis : if Duryodhana was born to Kunti, would her good nature not influence him? If he got better parents than the bitter Dhritarasthra and the irresponsible Gandhari, he would be a better person.

I stated that there are exceptions.

Vishnu avatars born to evil parents would still be virtuous. Similarly, the Kali portion in Duryodhana can't be ignored.

Vikarna and Yuyutsu were Dhritarashtra's sons too.

Edited by Wistfulness - 5 years ago
ImaginativeGirl thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#9

Originally posted by: Wistfulness

I stated that there are exceptions.

Vishnu avatars born to evil parents would still be virtuous. Similarly, the Kali portion in Duryodhana can't be ignored.

Vikarna and Yuyutsu were Dhritarashtra's sons too.

I was examining the entire story through a human lens. In that case, no one can be Ansh of any God or Demon.

So their childhood influences and their choices define their personalities and way of life.

Anyhow, I have very little belief in demons or Asuras. I think the so called "demons" are just non-Aryans or originals tribes.


So, agree to disagree😊

ImaginativeGirl thumbnail
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Posted: 5 years ago
#10

Originally posted by: CaptainSpark


Depends on the father.


Genes also play a role here. So if he was born of a "God" too, then maybe yes, he would be good. 🤣

Yep, genes sure do play a part. Dhritarasthra was largely responsible for Duryodhana's initial mindset.

Of course, the rest he did on his own.

😊

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