Was Duryodhan against the caste system or not?

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Janaki

@RamKiSeeta

Achiever

+ 6

Posted: 11 years ago

This is a question which arises in many people's mind.

When Duryodhan protested against the unfairness of not allowing Karna to participate in the competition based on his caste, was he really against caste system or was he simply happy to see a warrior who could defeat Arjuna? What is everyone's views on this?

For me, this incident alone does not prove that Duryodhan wanted to eradicate the caste system and treat everyone "equally", because if he was truly against the caste system (which is more of a recent/modern phenomena IMO), he would have taken a step to have all other sutas and lower caste people learn the education that the higher castes were allowed.

Are there any incidents in the Mahabharat that say Duryodhan took an active step in treating other lower caste people (besides Karna) equally? Because if he did, this is a major plus point of his character. If Karna was the only person he "liberated", I am more wont to think that he befriended him for his own benefit rather than caring about caste or creed.

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bheegi

@bheegi

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 11 years ago

As far as I know or rather understand, Duryodhana befriended Karna because of his talent and his potential to defeat Arjuna in a fair battle. The only place I've read Dury care for lower caste people is in the book 'Ajaya' but that book has been written in Dury's POV so I would discount it.

This is a citation from that book: based on a story popular in kerala

There is a fascinating story attached to the temple: Duryodhana came to the village in search of the Pandavas in exile. Thirsty, he asked an old woman for water. Impulsively, she gave him the toddy she was carrying. The parched Prince drank it with relish. It was only then that the woman noticed he was a Kshatriya warrior and he could lose his caste by drinking toddy served by an Untouchable Kurathi woman like herself. Horrified by what she had done, she was certain the Kshatriya Prince would punish her with death if she told him the truth. However, not wishing to cheat someone who had trusted her, she confessed her crime', risking her life. She waited for certain punishment, but was astonished by Duryodhana's reaction. "Mother," he said, "there is no caste for hunger and thirst. Blessed are you for putting the interests of a thirsty man before your own safety." The villagers rushed to see this high-born man who was so different from the haughty, upper-caste men who came only to punish them or treat them like worms. The Hastinapura Prince announced he was gifting the surrounding villages to a temple that would be built but have no idol. A Kurava Untouchable would be the Priest. To this day , family members of that old woman's family are the hereditary Priests of the temple, which has no idol. Instead, the presiding deity is Duryodhana . The minor deities are his wife Bhanumati, his mother Gandhari, and his friend Karna. It is generally believed that the spirit of Duryodhana resides here to protect the poor and weak. He answers the prayers of the destitute and those suffering from disease, poverty, or harassment from those stronger than themselves. This deity is the protector of the weak and downtrodden.

Neelakantan, Anand (2013-12-11). AJAYA : Epic of the Kaurava Clan (ROLL OF THE DICE) (Kindle Locations 56-62). Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd. Kindle Edition.

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Janaki

@RamKiSeeta

Achiever

+ 6

Posted: 11 years ago

^^ That's an interesting story, probably not true but nice if it was. There are places that do worship the "anti-heros" of puranas. In fact, in Sri Lanka there are temples that even worship Ravan.

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ramusk

@ramusk

Rocker

+ 4

Posted: 11 years ago

Dury initially during childhood made comments on lower class . N der started durys paap ka chittha as shown on this show ... so I thinl he was never anti caste system

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Khyati

@cherryberry293

Dazzler

Posted: 11 years ago

Thank u bheegi 😊

Btw AJAYA is a wonderful piece of literature... I don't know about reality but its amazing book.

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Arijit

@Arijit007

Sparkler

Posted: 11 years ago

i guess, duryodhan wanted the answer to arjun's archery skill and karna showed up, aur duryodhan ne avsar kaa laabh uthaayaa. is main us ke varnaashram dharma ke viruddh hone ka koi pramaan nahi dikhtaa.

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Arijit

@Arijit007

Sparkler

Posted: 11 years ago

Originally posted by: cherryberry293
Thank u bheegi 😊

Btw AJAYA is a wonderful piece of literature... I don't know about reality but its amazing book.

i never read it , but, i think we shouldn't take it seriously.

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Khyati

@cherryberry293

Dazzler

Posted: 11 years ago

Originally posted by: Arijit007
i never read it , but, i think we shouldn't take it seriously.

I didn't took its facts seriously but its crisp writing and the way writer has woven the story is amazing.
That writer has one more book called Asura written from Ravana's perspective.

But few of the things mentioned in books are backed up by reality ... Like few lower communities worships duryodhan. In Sri Lanka people worship Ravana as deity. So its not totally false or wrong.

It's about our belief and our perspective of looking at these two epics. Majority follows and worship the positive side of them but its amazing to read about other side as well, IMO.

going little off topic but in the history of Maratha's people worship Raja Shivaji, the righteous king.
And curse his eldest son Sambhaji , blame him for his father's death... Which isn't true. Sambhaji was more brave, courageous and righteous than his father.
There's less written about Chandragupta Maurya but we find ample of details for Ashoka... Both were equally great.

It's just that how these stories presented to us by well known historians.

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amritat

@amritat

Sparkler

Posted: 11 years ago

Well, it is difficult to say, whether Duryodhan was anti-casteism or not.

If I am not mistaken, it is mentioned in KMG, that after Duryodhan made Karna the King of Anga, he felt relieved. So, this step was certainly to secure his side by appointing someone equal to Arjun.

So, atleast, in the text, I have not come across any fact that proves that Duryodhan ever did anything for the lower caste.

However, many people claim that Duryodhan is worshipped by some tribes. Maybe it is true.

But I would like to point out that, many characters of Mahabharat, apart from Lord Krishna are worshipped in many parts of the country.

In South India, if I am not mistaken, then there's a whole cult for Draupadi. There are temples of Draupadi Amman, guared by statues of none other than Arjun's son Iravan. Even Subhadra and Balram are worshipped by people of Puri, Orissa. Even Hidimba is worshipped in Manali.

So, I think, it is too far-fetched to make any claims, based on this.

However, this is my opinion. Many people may not agree.

Edited by amritat - 11 years ago

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apolloartemis

@apolloartemis

Voyager

+ 4

Posted: 11 years ago

#10

Its an ongoing debate. He befriended Karna, who was a member of a lower caste, and noted that Kings lineages were made, not nessasarily a heredity honor.

At the same time, per Ganguli's translation he didn't do much to help the lower-caste in terms of education or such. But there are details that are not really focused on much in the course of the text- other, more exciting stuff is happening after all!

What is known is that he and Karna became the best of friends, and he wept more for Karna's death than the death of any of his brothers. So whatever his intentions in the beginning, it became a true friendship going forward.

Of couse, since we don't have any POV's we don't really know why the characters did what they did.

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Was Duryodhan against the caste system or not?

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