Introduction
Duryodhana is the eldest son of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. He is the main opponent of the Pandavas, and his refusal to give them a share of the kingdom leads to the war.
This article primarily follows the Mahabharata. Where a well-known detail comes from a Puranic or later source, the article identifies it.
Family
- Father: Dhritarashtra
- Mother: Gandhari
- Wife: Bhanumati
- Siblings: Dushasana, Dushala, Vikarna, Yuyutsu
- Son: Lakshmana Kumara
Rivalry with the Pandavas
Duryodhana grew up in rivalry with his cousins, especially Bhima. He tried to poison Bhima, and later plotted against the Pandavas' lives in the house of lac at Varanavata. When the Pandavas prospered at Indraprastha, he was consumed by jealousy.
The dice game
With his uncle Shakuni's help, Duryodhana won Yudhishthira's kingdom, brothers and wife in a game of dice. He insulted Draupadi in the assembly. The Pandavas were sent into exile for thirteen years.
The war
When the exile ended, Duryodhana refused to return the kingdom, and said he would not give even a needle's point of land. He led the Kaurava side and fought to the end. On the last day of the war, Bhima broke his thighs in a mace duel, with a strike below the waist, at Krishna's suggestion.
Later tradition
Puranic tradition regards Duryodhana as an incarnation of Kali, the spirit of the age of discord. This is a later theological layer.