Yudhisthira vs Duryodhana: The Legitimacy of the Claim to Throne

It's often debated that Duryodhana was the rightful heir to the throne because he was the eldest son of the reigning king and the Pandava camp's claim is rejected.

However, one must remember that Dhritrashtra was ruling as a regent in the crowned king Pandu's absence. Also, merit trumped birth/age in the Kuru dynasty. That's precisely the reason behind Pandu's coronation despite Dhritarashtra being the elder brother.

In the next generation, we behold the revered and learned elders favouring Yudhisthira over Duryodhana.

When Pandu accidentally killed the rishi and went to do penance with his queens, Dhritarashtra was appointed the regent and was supposed to make way for the next in line.

The pandava claim is said to be weakened by the fact that they weren't Pandu's biological sons. This claim holds no water because if we go by it, Dhritarashtra himself would lose claim because biologically he was Vyasa's son. Niyoga was accepted in the Dwapar age as evident in the epic.

Now, let's read the hollowness of Duryodhana's claim mouthed by Dhritarashtra himself.

"In this way also, O Bharata, though I am the eldest, yet being defective of a limb, I was excluded from the kingdom by intelligent Pandu, no doubt, after much reflection. And Pandu himself, though younger to me in age, obtained the kingdom and became king. At his death, O chastiser of foes, that kingdom must pass to his sons. When I could not obtain the kingdom, how canst thou covet it? Thou art not the son of a king, and, therefore, hast no right to this kingdom. Thou, however, desirest to appropriate the property of others. High-souled Yudhishthira is the son of a king. This kingdom is lawfully his. Of magnanimous soul, even he is the ruler and lord of this race of Kuru. He is devoted to truth, of clear perception, obedient to the counsels of friends, honest, loved by the subjects, kind to all well-wishers, master of his passions, and the chastiser of all that are not good. Forgiveness, renunciation, self-control, knowledge of the scriptures, mercy to all creatures, competence to rule according to the dictates of virtue, of all these attributes of royalty exist in Yudhishthira."

The Mahabharata

Book 5: Udyoga Parva

Kisari Mohan Ganguli, tr.

[1883-1896]

In the regent ruler's own words, neither he nor his son had any right over the throne. Still, the duo got Hastinapura while a barren land was handed over to the Pandavas. But Duryodhana's envy knew no limits.

Lastly, I'd like to point out a vital difference between Yudhisthira and Duryodhana. The former's best quality was his ability to forgive. Choked by desolation, he was inconsolable post the war. Duryodhana, on the other hand, seeked pleasure in the miseries he subjected the Pandavas and Draupadi to. Did he care for his subjects before going for the war? He didn't.

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I do not deny Yudhishtira's claim to the Throne however I do support Duryodhana's claim

Drithrashtra couldn't become a King because he was blind, His younger brother Pandu's lineage was ascended to the Throne but they made him King in Pandu's absence and he ruled for years shows a blind man is not incapable of ruling a Kingdom.

Pandu did not nominate Dhrut as a regent King, I don't think he nominated anyone, he went for forest expedition and never returned (I am not really sure about this one though)

Yudhishtira's only claim was his being Pandu's son but he wasn't biological son of Pandu, The King, Pandu was crowned the King so him being someone's son or not doesn't really matter as the crowning took place and he was declared the King, next in line would be his son and if he did not have any son then the next heir ie Duryodhana

Bheeshma did not challenge Duryodhana's claim to the Throne

Yudhistar was elder than duryodhan so by age yudhistar has first right to become king of hastinapur

Moreover if duryodhan would have king then it would be victory of adharm

There will be no kindness, no peace there will be no proper justice there will be no rule and regulations if duryodhan become king

We see how duryodhan break rule of war when fighting with abhimamyu

Imagine what will happen if duryodhan become king of hastinapur

So as moral and age point of view yudhistar is rightfully eligible to become king

Originally posted by: surabhi01

Yudhistar was elder than duryodhan so by age yudhistar has first right to become king of hastinapur

Moreover if duryodhan would have king then it would be victory of adharm

There will be no kindness, no peace there will be no proper justice there will be no rule and regulations if duryodhan become king

We see how duryodhan break rule of war when fighting with abhimamyu

Imagine what will happen if duryodhan become king of hastinapur

So as moral and age point of view yudhistar is rightfully eligible to become king

The epic no where mentions that Duryodhan lacked the capabilities of king. The citizens admired him in fact during the Pandav exile Duryodhan was practically the ruler of Hastinapur and there were prosperity all around, justice was prevalent. Duryodhan did have thousands of bad qualities but this is an allegation which can't be put on him

The breaking of rule during the war was started by Pandavas when they killed Bheeshm by Adharma still Yudhishtir turned out to be a good ruler.

When duryodhan become king when pandav go for 12 years exile ?

Was it not dhrithrashtra was king at that time

And pandav didn't not kill bhishm by adharm

It is on night pandav went to bhishm camp and said to bhishm we can't win if u continue to fight so they ask bhishm secret of his losing

Then bhishm suggesting said if any woman come in front of my way I will not raise weapon on her

So pandav made shikhandi in front of Arjun in chariote . As shikhandi was woman in previous birth so bhishm didn't not raise weapon to Arjun because shikhandi was standing in front of Arjun

Originally posted by: surabhi01

When duryodhan become king when pandav go for 12 years exile ?

Was it not dhrithrashtra was king at that time

And pandav didn't not kill bhishm by adharm

It is on night pandav went to bhishm camp and said to bhishm we can't win if u continue to fight so they ask bhishm secret of his losing

Then bhishm suggesting said if any woman come in front of my way I will not raise weapon on her

So pandav made shikhandi in front of Arjun in chariote . As shikhandi was woman in previous birth so bhishm didn't not raise weapon to Arjun because shikhandi was standing in front of Arjun

I said practically. He wasn't the one throne but was the major decision taker and Dhritrashtra agreed to all his rules

Now the Bheeshm secret part, firstly it's more of a folklore and no where mentioned in the epic that Bheeshm gave them the secret of his death secondly even if this was true this killing by hiding behind another warrior doesn't cease to become Adharma just because the victim suggested the Adhama way

None of pandav interested in hastinapur pur throne

But yes Arjun, bheem nakul sehdev want yudhistar to become king

But yudhistar least interested in becoming king

When pandav return after exile. They tell duryodhan through Krishna that is give one one village to each pandav

If 5 village give to pandav they will not claim at hastinapur throne but duryodhan just want Mahabharata war and said I will not give land equal to needle with out war

I don't know why duryodhan didn't not give 5 village to pandav. Why he insist on war

This show duryodhan only care about jid and nothing else

Bhishm giving secrets is not folkflore

And dhrithrashtra supporting duryodhan decision is not surprising after all dhrithrashtra has putra moh

Originally posted by: surabhi01

Bhishm giving secrets is not folkflore

And dhrithrashtra supporting duryodhan decision is not surprising after all dhrithrashtra has putra moh

It is a folklore not mentioned in the epic. Anything not mentioned there is a folklore but I will not further discuss this because you are ready to read the epic to counter verify and want to agree to whatever you think could be better.

Dhritrashtra supporting Duryodhan's decision is definitely not surprising, but the fact that Duryodhan was ruling the region behind the throne and there was prosperity and justice all around proves that Hastinapur would not have been in a dreaded condition like you anticipated in your previous post.

About why Duryodhan didn't give the 5 villages is something he might know the best but I had read it somewhere (not confirming on the authenticity of this statement) that those 5 villages were of great strategic and military importance

It is not folkflore

U can check this link and this link is reliable

https://bharatdiscovery.org/india/भीष्म_पर्व_महाभारत