Week 6 Story: Duryodhana's New Palace

During the trip back from Indraprastha, Duryodhana angrily complained to his uncle, Sakuni, about the Pandavas. "They think they are so great. Just because they have a great hall does not make them better than me!" On and on he continued to berate the Pandavas. Sakuni tried to tune him out, but became increasingly annoyed with every comment. Finally, he had heard enough. "Give it a rest, Duryodhana! You are acting like a child. The Pandavas are your cousins, you should be happy for them. They have worked hard for what they have and deserve every bit of it." This only made Duryodhana resent his cousins even more.

Once they reached Hastinapura, Duryodhana went to see his father, the king. He described the great hall of the Pandavas in vivid detail to his blind father. After listing every minutes characteristic of the hall in Indraprastha, Duryodhana whined, cried, begged and demanded to have his own great hall built. The king reluctantly agreed, but told Duryodhana that he would be in charge of the entire project, from start to finish.

Duryodhana wasted no time in getting started. He summoned all of the best builders in Hastinapura to a meeting at once. After the last builder arrived, Duryodhana started his presentation over what was going to be built. It was going to be a magnificent hall, greater than any the world had ever seen. Certainly way better than what the Pandavas had. The builder were very excited to have a part in building something so grand. The excitement soon wore off once Duryodhana informed them of their three month deadline. "That's impossible!" shouted one of the most famous builders in the city, "It will take at least two years." Duryodhana was having none of it, however, and demanded the hall be started on immediately.

At the end of three months, Duryodhana sent a messenger to invite the Pandavas to view his great hall. He could only imagine seeing the looks of jealousy on their faces when they saw how much better his hall was than theirs.

The Pandavas arrived and Duryodhana wasted no time in taking them to see his hall. They began walking toward and the Pandavas were in shock of its beauty. Duryodhana could hardly contain his excitement. As they drew near, a single bird came to rest on the top of the hall. It perched for only a moment, when suddenly, the entire building collapsed. Duryodhana stood there, stunned in disbelief, while the Pandavas burst out in laughter.

Duryodhana Speaking to Dhritarashtra

Image Author: Ramanarayanadatta astri

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Author's Note:
In the original story, Duryodhana complains to his uncle Sakuni about how great the Pandavas hall was on their trip home from a visit. Duryodhana convinces his father to build him an even better hall that would be used for a dice game between Sakuni and Yudhishthira. In my story, Duryodhana's impatience leads to corners being cut during the building phase. The hall collapses and Duryodhana is embarrassed in front of his cousins yet again.
Bibliography. The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic by R. K. Narayan. Web Source.

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata Part B

Title: The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic Part B
Author: R. K. Narayan
Year: 1978

- Duryodhana hears his father, Dhritarashtra's happiness and enthusiasm when he learns that the Pandavas have won Drupada's daughter. After his son confronts him, Dhritarashtra reveals that it was only a show for Vidura. He could have had a long talk with his son about the family, bringing them closer together instead of pushing them all further apart.

- After visiting the Pandavas in Indraprastha, Duryodhana became to complain about their prosperity to his uncle Sakuni who then advised his nephew to leave the Pandavas alone and to be happy for them, especially since they were much stronger than the Kauravas. - While telling of how the Pandavas laugh at him, Duryodhana sounds like a very disturbed man. This scene could be rewritten as Duryodhana lying on his therapist's couch during a counseling session.

- The same scene could also be rewritten as children at a daycare. The Pandavas could be playing with toys, while their spoiled cousin, Duryodhana pouts and cries because he isn't getting his way. Eventually, Duryodhana would be talked to about his actions, or punished for them, depending on where the story goes.

- Dhritarashtra is very easily persuaded throughout the story. He was highly regarded at the beginning of the story. I do not like the development for his character.

- Dhritarashtra had his marvelous hall built extremely fast. Great things cannot be rushed. When they are, corners are generally cut and shoddy work is done. Perhaps the entire hall could collapse before the dice game between the Pandavas and Duryodhana. Maybe as they are walking to it, a bird will rest on the top, leading to the building's destruction and once again embarrassing Duryodhana in front of his cousins once again.

- Sakuni takes everything from Yudhistira in the dice game. Yudhistira, who is supposed to be very wise, became oblivious to everything around him, except for his unforgiving dice. Perhaps one of his brothers should have advised him to stop before it got out of hand. Perhaps he should have realized it on his own. It reminds me of a person with a gambling problem who can't seem to walk away from the blackjack/poker table/slot machines at a casino until he has nothing left to play with.

- I like the quote "Griefs and fears by the thousands afflict all men night and day, but affect only the ignorant."


- The conversation between Draupadi and Yudhistira has been the best part of the book. Both make great points as to how someone should live and act. 

Sakuni Defeats Yudhistira in the Dice Game

Image Author: Ramanarayanadatta astri

Image Source:Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata Part A

Title: The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic Part A
Author: R. K. Narayan
Year: 1978

- Dhritarashtra treated all of his sons and his brother's (Pandu) sons equally after Pandu's self inflicted death.

- Drona instructs his pupils to attack Panchala and capture Drupada as his payment for being their tutor. Drupada was his friend when they were younger. Drupada became king when he grew older and treated Drona poorly when he saw him next. Drupada is captured and Drona takes half of his kingdom to rule so that he and Drupada would always be equals, allowing them to be friends.

- Dhritarashtra is a bit jealous during the ceremony when his narrator is only telling of the great things his nephews are doing, with little mention of his own sons. He then names Yudhistira as his heir apparent instead of one of his sons.

- Dhritarasthra, his adviser, and Duryodhana devise a plan to get Pandu's sons out of the capital. They have become jealous. Dhritarasthra could have just had a talk with all of his sons and nephews in order to keep the peace. 

- The charred remains of a mother and five sons were found inside the burnt mansion. This story could use more detail.

- Dhritarasthra did not expect the plan to go so far and was at the mercy of his conscious. Perhaps he had helped Vidura get the Pandava's to safety, knowing the evil plot of Duryodhana and Purichana.

Pandavas

Image Author: Jijithnr

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons