Indian Myth and LegendMackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
History
Indian Myth and Legend
Mackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
Hindu mythology; Legends -- India
So Drona took possession of half of the kingdom. Drupada, who sorrowed
greatly, went to rule the southern Panchalas; he was convinced that
he could not defeat Drona by Kshatriya power alone, which is inferior
to Brahman power, and he resolved to discover means whereby he might
obtain a son who could overcome his Brahman enemy.
Thereafterwards the Pandavas waged war against neighbouring kings, and
they extended the territory over which the blind maharajah held sway.
The Kauravas were rendered more jealous than ever by the successes
achieved by the Pandavas, and also because the people favoured them.
Now Duryodhana desired to become heir to the throne, but the elder
prince of the conquering Pandavas could not be set aside. In the end
Yudhishthira was chosen, although unwillingly, by the blind king, and
he became Yuva-rajah, “Little Rajah”, supplanting Bhishma, who had been
regent during the minority. Yudhishthira, accordingly, ruled over the
kingdom, and he was honoured and beloved by the people; for although
he was not a mighty warrior like Arjuna, or powerful like Bhima, he
had great wisdom, and he was ever just and merciful, and a lover of
truth.[235]
[235] The modern-day Hindu regards Yudhishthira as an ideal man.
Duryodhana remonstrated with his blind father, the maharajah, and he
spoke to him, saying: “Why, O my father, hast thou thus favoured the
Pandavas and forgotten thine own sons? Thou wert Pandu's elder brother,
and should have reigned before him. Now the children of thy younger
brother are to succeed thee. The kingdom is thine own by right of
birth, and thy sons are thine heirs. Why, then, hast thou lowered us in
the eyes of thy subjects?”
Said the blind Dhritarashtra: “Duryodhana, my son, know thou that
Pandu, my brother, was the mightiest ruler in the world. Could I, who
have ever been blind, have set him aside? His sons have great wisdom
and worth, and are loved by the people. How, then, could I pass them
over? Yudhishthira hath greater accomplishments for governing than thou
dost possess, my son. How could I turn against him and banish him from
my council?”
Duryodhana said: “I do not acknowledge Yudhishthira's superiority as a
ruler of men. And this I know full well, I could combat against half a
score of Yudhishthiras on the field of battle.... If, my father, thou
wilt set me aside and deny me my right to a share of government in the
kingdom, I will take mine own life and thus end my sorrow.”
Said Dhritarashtra: “Be patient, O my son, nor give way to thy
vexation. If such is thy desire, I will divide the kingdom between thee
and Yudhishthira, so that no jealousy may exist between you both.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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