Duryodhan by Kaka Vidhate

Author:Kaka Vidhate [Vidhate, Kaka]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-16T06:00:00+00:00

I had received three summons from Maharaj Dhritarashtra since returning from Kampilya. What was I going to tell him? That it wasn’t Duryodhan but Arjun who had managed to get Draupadi? I was sure he was going to feel terrible on hearing the facts. I sat before him, mute, unable to speak. Vidur suddenly arrived and said, before I could voice the truth, ‘You are lucky, Maharaj. I have good news for you.’

Maharaj smiled, ‘I have been waiting to hear. Please tell me.’

‘It was the Kurus who turned out to be victorious in the swayamvar organised by Drupad.’

‘Is that so? Then get Drupad’s daughter here without any further delay. I would like to bless our new daugther-in-law.’

Vidur smiled laconically and said, ‘Draupadi is not here, Maharaj. She is with her husband in Kampilya.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, fate is strange. The Pandavas, whom we were presuming to be dead and had performed the last rites for, arrived at the swayamvar. Arjun won Draupadi with his feats. They were happy to receive support of the Yadavas, Krishna and Balaram too.’

Vidur seemed to be deliberately rubbing salt into the wounds of a helpless, blind man who lived on hope. He had shattered Maharaj’s hopes after raising them first with his cunning words. How sadistically was he celebrating the victory of the Kaunteyas! It irritated me no end. I was about to snub him with my words when Maharaj said, ‘That really is good news, Vidur! I was sure that the righteous Pandavas wouldn’t have died a horrible death. I am so happy to know they are well. Draupadi is now our daughter-in-law! Let us celebrate in Hastinapur and let the citizens know that it is our Arjun who did what no one in Aryavarta could achieve.’

Vidur was taken aback at Maharaj’s enthusiasm. Duryodhan, sitting next to me, was incensed but I realised the ploy that the Maharaj had used. Nowhere had he allowed his disappointment at Duryodhan not winning the swayamvar be shown to Vidur.

Finally, he said, ‘I am deeply touched on seeing your love for the Pandavas, Maharaj. I am so grateful that I am in your service.’

‘Does a father need to be told that?’ Maharaj asked, laughing out loudly. ‘I was subject to all kinds of rumours including ones that said that the palace fire was not an accident but a deliberate one to kill them. Unfortunately, this wasn’t just popular opinion but that of wise men too. But I ignored all that. You cannot argue with fools, can you?’

Vidur left silently. He had been snubbed well. Duryodhan jumped at his father as soon as Vidur left, ‘I wonder to what extent you will go to please Vidur by praising the Pandavas. If you are so fond of them, I might as well leave this place. If my own father wishes for my enemy to do well, all my efforts are in vain.’

‘Why would I wish well for the enemy, my son?’

‘Am I not seeing what is happening with my own eyes? Father, the Kaunteyas will not hesitate to sit on your head one day.

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