🔶🔹Ŧħōʂɛ Ðāÿʂ ļŋ Ęxîɭɛ🔹🔶

~*~The Uninvited Guest~*~

Author's POV:

Aftergetting rescued by the Pandavas from the hands of Gandharvas, Duryodhana wasextremely embarrassed. Hisego was severely wounded. He got reprimanded by Pitamah Bhishm, MaharajDhritarashtra, Gurudev Dronacharya and Kulguru Kripacharya for his hotheadedness. They even taunted Angraj Karn's abilities as a warrior, for fledging the battlefield.

The commander, who went to seek help from the Pandavas, got killed in the hands of Duryodhana. Duryodhana was so ashamed that he wanted to put an end to his life, hence he decided to fast till death.

When Karna got to know about his friend's resolution, he went to him to persuade him to break his fast. "Friend! Have you completely lost your mind? What do you think you are doing?" Karna reprimanded Duryodhana. Duryodhana shouted back, "Why do you stop me? After getting rescued by those Pandavas, this life feels like a burden to me. I have become a subject of mockery to the entire world. Tell me what should I do?"

"Friend, whatever those Pandavas did to save your life at the woods was their duty. After getting defeated by you at the game of dice, they are as good as your fellow citizens and it is the duty of every citizen to save the life of their kings and princes. So, stop self-loathing over the past incidents and start thinking about a better tomorrow." Karna tried to reason with Duryodhana.

By that time, Shakuni and Dusshashan too had come there. Shakuni said, agreeing to Karna, "Whatever Angraj Karna says, is absolutely true. You should not feel ashamed for whatever happened at the woods of Kamyaka." In this manner, Karna and Shakuni kept of persuading Duryodhana, giving various logics and reasons. Finally, they were able to break his fast.

Duryodhana's shameful defeat in the hands of Gandharvas and much shameful event of getting rescued by the Pandavas, had somewhat had an adverse effect on Kuru Dynasty's prowess and prestige. And everyone, especially Duryodhana and his companions were thinking of some way to reestablish their honor.

Dusshashan suggested, "How about we perform Rajsurya Yagya?" All of them loved the idea and went to the elderly leaders of Hastinapur to seek their approval. The blind king Dhritarashtra, obviously loved the idea out of his blind love for his son. But Vidur and other elderly members of the Raj Sabha objected. "No Yuvraj Duryodhana, you cannot perform Rajsurya Yagya for two reasons. First of all, Rajsurya Yagya can be performed only by a king, and you are just an heir to the throne, while Maharaj Dhritarashtra still sits on the throne as king. And secondly, since Rajsurya Yagya has already been performed by Samrat Yudhishthira, you cannot perform till he is alive." Vidura, the expert of politics, pointed out.

Duryodhana's anger knew no bounds on hearing this. He was already agitated at the Pandavas after getting shamefully defeated by them. He shouted back, "Can we consider, a person who has been living in the woods as hermit for past 10 years, a ruler of the world anymore."

Vidura argued back, "Jyeshth son of Kunti, went to the woods as per the terms of the game of dice. He has neither been defeated in fair battle nor he has renounced his kingdom yet. So, he is still holding the title of Chakravarthi. In his life-time, you can never perform the Rajsurya Yagya."

Duryodhana might have debated further, had a learned brahmin, who was more loyal to the Kauravas, not interrupted. He suggested, "Maharaj and Yuvraj Duryodhana, if you allow me, I can suggest you about another sacrifice, which is as auspicious as Rajsurya Yagya and can be performed by Prince Duryodhana, without any hindrance."