Duryodhana's Conspiracy

"Listen, listen, listen, listen to me," Duryodhan cried. "Today we will play a new game. Do you see this lake? Whoever can cross it in one dive will be today’s winner. Is everyone ready?"

At once one of the boys said, "Can anyone cross such a big lake in one dive?"

Duryodhan laughed harshly. "So, you got scared? Look, Bhim, your own brother is shaking with fear."

Bhim frowned. "Hey, what kind of game is this?"

Another voice rose in mockery. "For Prince Duryodhan this is nothing at all, right? Isn’t that so, elder brother Arjun?"

Someone answered, "He is not scared at all. Arjun is brave enough."

Then came another taunt. "Your elder brother thinks too highly of himself. Will he drown in the water?"

Those words stung Duryodhan like fire. His pride flared up at once.

"Such a big insult!" he shouted. "I am Duryodhan. I cannot do it, but Arjun can? Now watch my strength."

Before anyone could stop him, disaster struck. Duryodhan leaped into the lake.

I could only think, May no accident happen now.

Then Yudhishthir cried out, "Arjun!"

"Yes, elder brother," Arjun answered.

"Best of archers, Arjun, go and bring Bhimen back at once. Go now. I am very worried. Go."

"As you command, brother."

Soon there was confusion near the lake. Then Yudhishthir saw Bhim and called out in surprise, "What is this! Bhim, you came back alone?"

Bhim laughed carelessly. "Look, elder brother, I have won. Duryodhan could not do it. Duryodhan is defeated."

At once the boys began shouting in alarm, "Prince Duryodhan! Prince Duryodhan, where are you? Where are you? Where are you, Prince?"

Bhim said with cruel amusement, "He burns, he burns. Your brother is now peacefully drinking the cool water of the lake. Dushasan, do not stop him."

Yudhishthir turned sharply to Bhim. "What have you done, Bhim?"

Bhim shrugged. "I did nothing, elder brother. I only pushed him a little with my hand, and all his bravery ended at once."

"Be quiet, all of you!" Yudhishthir said sternly. "You do wrong and then laugh as well? You should never have done this, Bhim. What if Duryodhan had been hurt? Go, go and help Duryodhan come out of the water at once. Go, Bhim Sen, this is my order."

Bhim bowed his head. "As you command, elder brother."

I had already understood that dark clouds would gather in the sky of Hastinapur.

Though I have no attachment to this earthly world, I am a monk who has given up everything, Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyas. My practice is to remain in a place beyond the senses. Even so, I cannot deny my blood tie with Hastinapur. My mother Satyavati gave birth to this earthly body of mine, and I cannot deny the debt I owe to her family line.

So, in season and out of season, I must return to Hastinapur. Even when I do not come there in person, Hastinapur never disappears from my sight. Its past, present, and future shine before me like stars. But I am not the Creator, only a witness. So I have no wish to change anything. Whatever happens, I only stand and watch.

Just then I saw Duryodhan sitting alone in the small garden beside his room on a sad afternoon. A deep darkness, like the night of the new moon, had fallen across his face. He sat silently, lost in some heavy thought. His eyes were fixed nowhere.

He did not even notice that his uncle Shakuni had come and was standing behind him.

Shakuni watched his nephew closely for some time. Then slowly he placed a hand upon his back.

"Dear Duryodhan."

Duryodhan started. "Who? Who?"

"Who else but this uncle Shakuni can stand beside you in your hard time, child?" Shakuni said softly. "I keep track of all your news. Even so, I want to hear from your own mouth why you are so sad. Tell me everything that is in your mind, Duryodhan. Maybe I can show you some way."

Duryodhan looked at him with pain in his eyes. "Will you really show me a way, uncle? You are just like the others who are older than me. I know you will not understand me either."

"What has happened, Duryodhan? Can you not trust me?"

"How can I? I already appealed to Grandfather. When he sent me away, what new thing can you say, uncle? You will probably speak the same kind of moral words."

Shakuni narrowed his eyes. "Did Grandfather, the son of Ganga, truly send you away, child?"

"He did not only send me away. He made it clear that I alone was the guilty one."

"I know that you went to the son of Ganga, child. And I also have a very clear idea of what he could have said."

Duryodhan looked up. "You know everything, uncle?"

"Even if I do not know everything, I can guess. So I also know that your grandfather will never see any fault in Bhim or the other Pandavas. In his eyes, you are always the guilty ones. He does not even want to believe that any wrong can be done to you."

"That is true, uncle. How did you..." Duryodhan stopped, then burst out, "But tell me, what was my fault? It was Bhim who pushed me into the lake and tried to drown me. And Arjun was helping him, he was with him too. If Yudhishthir had not come there, something terrible could have happened to me this very morning, uncle. Is that my fault? Yet Grandfather..."

Shakuni interrupted him in a low, sharp voice. "Duryodhan, what are you doing, son? You will become the crown prince of Hastinapur. Do tears suit your eyes? You must be hard like an iron rod, child. At whom are you hurt? At Grandfather? Have you still not understood that he is not truly your well-wisher? If he wanted your good, he would have called Bhim and punished him. That is why he did not do it. Instead, he has declared you guilty. Is this justice?"

"No, it is not justice," Duryodhan said bitterly. "Yet everyone respects Grandfather as the lord of justice."

"They are wrong," said Shakuni. "Do you not know that it was through the plotting of Bhishma, the son of Ganga, and Vidur that your father, my dear relative Dhritarashtra, could not become king? Is being born blind someone’s fault? Yet for that very reason they deprived your innocent father of his right to the throne. They pushed him aside and made his younger brother Pandu king. The whole kingdom did not protest. So how can you think that today he will give justice to the son of that same Dhritarashtra, Duryodhan?"

Shakuni leaned closer.

"Listen, child, now you are older. Let me teach you one thing, one thing to remember. In this palace, those whom you respect because they are older, those whom you think are your true guardians, none of them truly want you. They have no real sympathy for Dhritarashtra and his family, son. They are all mad about the Pandavas. In all Hastinapur, except for this uncle Shakuni, you have no true friend or supporter, Duryodhan. You will see that my words are true."

At that moment Dushasan said, "But today Yudhishthir scolded Bhim enough."

Shakuni laughed loudly.

"I thought you had gained some understanding, but I see you are still only a child. And Dushasan, he is your... so I see no reason to trust him either. Stop thinking Yudhishthir is great, child. The whole kingdom praises him as Dharmaputra and puts him on its head, but all of that is his trick. Yudhishthir is the leader of the Pandavas. Can any Pandava do anything without his permission? What happened today by the lake was nothing but a show. That Yudhishthir only made himself look noble in your eyes. You saw, did you not, how completely you came to trust him."

Duryodhan’s face grew darker. "Then does that mean it was all their plot?"

"Of course it was. They want to use your trust and remove you in any way they can. Yudhishthir has returned to Hastinapur because he wants to be king, and the son of Ganga wants the same thing. Just as he cheated your father, in the same way he now wants to cheat you too."

At once Duryodhan rose in anger. "King! If I do not drive Yudhishthir, him and those other four followers, out of Hastinapur, then my name is not Duryodhan."

"Slowly, son, slowly," said Shakuni. "So much excitement is not good. Before doing anything, you must decide the strategy. Otherwise you will not succeed in anything. Fulfill one goal at a time. Removing Bhim should be your first goal. His body is great, and so is his strength. He alone is the shield of the other four Pandavas. If he is removed, the rest will become weak. Then your task will become much easier."

Duryodhan nodded at once. "You are right, uncle. I had not thought of that. Bhim must be properly punished. I will beat him with a mace and..."

Shakuni shook his head. "Son, what am I to do with you? Does nothing come to your mind except beating? If you attack Bhim openly, do you think the other Pandavas will spare you? And the son of Ganga is already waiting to punish you. Then it will also be proved how unfit you really are. Did I not just tell you that strategy is necessary? Learn to think of strategy, son. Beating is the weapon of fools."

Duryodhan lowered his head. "But, but no other plan is coming to my mind, uncle."

"Very well. You do not need to think. I will think. You only have to do as I say. Can you do that? Do you have faith in me?"

Duryodhan answered at once, "You are the only one I trust, uncle. In all Hastinapur, I have found true shelter only with you. I will listen to everything you say. Just tell me what I must do."

Shakuni smiled. "That is more like my crown prince. Do not worry, Duryodhan. I will always protect you. I want to see you victorious."

Shakuni had been waiting for just this chance. If he could not use Duryodhan as the key, his purpose would not be fulfilled. And on the other side, Duryodhan found in his uncle a person who truly understood him. A kind of bond grew between the two of them.

Bhishma had feared this from before, but he was helpless.

Dhritarashtra was now the king of the land. Shakuni was his close relative, and the king himself had lovingly kept him near. On what excuse could Bhishma drive him out of the kingdom? He was bound to the king and to the royal throne. Yet he had understood long ago, with his wise mind, that unless this Shakuni was removed, great evil would fall upon Hastinapur.

But his hands and feet were tied.

Through messengers he learned that Shakuni had spent a long time speaking privately with Duryodhan. All news of the kingdom came to him. When he heard this news that day, his heart trembled a little.

For quite some time Bhishma paced restlessly in his chamber. Then, when the night had grown deeper, he called for Vidur. Somehow, some remedy had to be found.

When Vidur arrived, he bowed and said, "My respects, elder father. What urgent summons is this today?"

"Come, come, Vidur."

Vidur looked closely at him. "Why do you seem so restless? Is everything all right?"

"If all were well, would I call you at such an hour, son? Come and sit before me."

"What has happened, elder father? I have never seen you like this before."

Bhishma sighed deeply. "What I feared is now about to come true, Vidur. Prince Shakuni of Gandhar has spoken at length with Duryodhan today. It is not strange for an uncle and nephew to talk, true enough, but this news has disturbed my mind, Vidur. Hidden from all eyes, in the garden, alone, for so long, surely they were not only sharing joy and sorrow."

Vidur asked carefully, "But are you so troubled only on the basis of guesswork?"

"Not guesswork, not guesswork, Vidur. This morning Duryodhan came to me with a complaint against Bhim. After hearing the whole matter, I gave him my judgment. I knew he would not like it. I firmly believe that Prince Shakuni of Gandhar is taking advantage of Duryodhan’s weak mind and making it even more poisonous. If this continues, today it is quarrel in play, but where will it reach in the future, can you say, Vidur?"

Now Vidur understood. "Now I understand the reason for your fear, elder father. But there is also no way to keep a nephew away from his uncle."

"There is only one way, Vidur. Remove the uncle. If Shakuni returns to his kingdom of Gandhar, then all problems will be solved."

Vidur was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Sending Shakuni back to Gandhar is just as impossible as erasing elder brother Dhritarashtra’s attachment to the throne from his heart. But if some urgent message from Gandhar could be sent, then perhaps Shakuni might return. The work is hard, and especially for me to take shelter in such means is even harder. Still, if you think it good for the welfare of the kingdom, then at least try once."

Bhishma looked troubled. "Forgive me, elder father. It would truly be a great wrong for me to ask you to take shelter in falsehood. But if somehow you can make Shakuni understand that his kingdom truly needs him, then perhaps some way may be found. No one else’s words will fulfill this purpose."

"Very well," Vidur replied. "I will think about your reasoning. I must find a way to fulfill this aim without speaking lies. The night is deep now. Go and take rest, Vidur."

Vidur bowed. "My respects, elder father. Then I will go now."

On that same night, while Bhishma was deep in discussion with Vidur, another secret meeting was being held in Duryodhan’s chamber.

There were three present there—Shakuni, Duryodhan, and Dushasan.

Though younger in age, Dushasan was always like Duryodhan’s shadow companion. Among the hundred brothers, this Dushasan was Duryodhan’s dearest and most trusted one. And Dushasan too looked upon his elder brother as his ideal. The trust and faith between the two were so great that one seemed incomplete without the other. If evil had two hands, one hand was Duryodhan and the other was Dushasan.

Inside the closed room, that evil counsel was now going on.

Duryodhan had become wild with the desire to take revenge for the trouble by the lake. But Shakuni made him understand that it was not right to do it just then. If he acted at once, all blame would fall upon Duryodhan. Better to wait for some time. Let the matter first be forgotten. Then one day, at the right chance, Duryodhan could satisfy his thirst for revenge.

Though unwilling, he had to obey his uncle’s words.

In the meantime, at a place called Pramanakoti on the bank of the Ganga, Duryodhan had a new building built in the name of Udaka. The place was a little far from Hastinapur. That building was reserved only for the princes. No one except the hundred Kauravas and the five Pandavas had the right to enter it.

One day Duryodhan arranged a festival in that building. Many rich and delicious foods were prepared. The whole building was beautifully decorated. Then Duryodhan himself went with Dushasan to inspect the arrangements.

"Elder brother," Dushasan asked, "what is the reason for all this arrangement in this Udakiran house?"

Duryodhan smiled, and Dushasan laughed loudly.

"It is all for the five Pandavas," Duryodhan said.

"For those devils?" Dushasan cried. "Why have you suddenly become so kind to them, brother?"

"They are our kinsmen, younger brother."

Dushasan answered at once, "Forgive my boldness. I do not accept them as my kinsmen. They are our greatest enemies, elder brother. Have you forgotten that?"

"Oh no, no, younger brother. You are far too restless and impatient. I see you do not even have the least faith in your elder brother. I have forgotten nothing. Let those matters rest for now. Listen, Dushasan, I want to give you a task. You must complete it very secretly. See that not even a crow or a bird comes to know of it."

"Do not worry, elder brother. No one will know anything. Just tell me what must be done."

"You must collect Kalakuta poison. But be careful, that poison is deadly. Even a little carelessness can bring great harm."

Dushasan answered eagerly, "Be at ease, elder brother. You will have that poison by tomorrow."

That day there was to be a great festival in the Udakiran house. By Duryodhan’s order, the whole building was busy with decoration. Cooks, servants, dancing girls, and entertainers filled the place. The hundred sons of Dhritarashtra were present there. At Duryodhan’s special invitation, the five Pandavas accepted hospitality in that house.

The dining hall was filled with many kinds of tasty and rich food. The sweet smell of all those delightful dishes quickly made Bhim hungry.

After various amusements, everyone came and sat down to eat. Duryodhan sat in the center of them all. In a playful manner he said, "Today I am very happy. Let the bond of brotherhood between us grow strong. Let us take that vow and feed one another with our own hands today. Come, this memory, this memory will remain unbroken among us forever."

Though Arjun’s heart did not wish to accept Duryodhan, he did not dare protest when he saw Yudhishthir’s firm faith and simple trust.

The princes began placing food in each other’s mouths.

And taking this chance, Duryodhan lovingly placed food smeared with deadly Kalakuta poison into Bhim’s mouth.

Bhim gladly ate the rich food with great pleasure and felt satisfied.

After the meal, the princes went to enjoy in the water. Then they all returned and began to rest.

Only Bhim did not return.

Under the effect of the poison, he lay by the Ganga, very tired and unconscious, like a lifeless body. When everyone had gone into the resting rooms, Duryodhan quietly tied Bhim tightly with strong creepers. Then he threw him into the water.

Meanwhile, the princes set out for Hastinapur, each in his own chariot or on an elephant. When Yudhishthir became restless on not seeing Bhim, everyone explained to him that Bhim must have already gone ahead.

"What?" Yudhishthir said anxiously. "I, I am older than him. Bhim has never done anything without telling me. And today he went back alone, and I did not even know? No, I cannot accept such behavior from Bhim. But is something wrong somewhere?"

At once they answered, "No, no, brother Yudhishthir, do not worry. The third Pandava is safe. Perhaps he had some special need, so he returned quickly. He did not have time to ask your permission. You, you come to Hastinapur. There, there you will meet him."

With deep suspicion in his heart, Yudhishthir returned to Hastinapur. As soon as he came back to the palace, he first ran to Kunti. Yudhishthir knew that if Bhim had returned, he would first go to his mother. Arjun, Nakul, and Sahadev went with him.

"My respects, Mother."

"Blessings on you, son," Kunti said. "You have returned? You did not suffer on the way, did you?"

"By your blessing, Mother, we had no trouble. Has brother Bhim come to you, Mother?"

"Bhim? No, he has not. But Bhim was supposed to be with you all, child."

Yudhishthir answered quickly, "No, Bhim did not come with us. We were together until the midday meal and water games today. After that we had no news of Bhim at all. He did not come with us either. I asked about him, but everyone assured me that Bhim had surely returned to Hastinapur earlier for some need. So I came straight to you first, Mother, in case you had heard anything."

Kunti turned pale. "What are you saying, son? Then where has Bhim gone? You did not leave him in some danger, did you? Do not waste another moment, son. Start searching at once. First go to Vidur and tell him everything clearly. O God, my Bhim!"

Yudhishthir tried to steady her. "You, you must not be so upset, Mother. We are going to Vidur’s house right now."

As they hurried through the city, one of them cried, "Elder brother, look, there, Vidur uncle is standing in front of his house. Come, come, quickly."

They bowed and said, "My respects, Vidur uncle."

Vidur looked at them with concern. "Child Yudhishthir, at such an hour?"

"Is everything well?" Yudhishthir asked in distress. "Bhim cannot be found anywhere, Vidur uncle. At Duryodhan’s invitation we had gone to the Udakiran house. Bhim has been missing since the midday meal. Our mother has become very anxious. She sent us to you."

"What is this!" Vidur exclaimed. "Bhim is missing? Come, child, come. Let us search the different gardens of the city. Perhaps Bhim is sitting in some fruit garden, wishing to eat sweet fruits."

Taking Yudhishthir and Arjun with him, Vidur searched all the gardens of Hastinapur. Men were also sent to search all the bathing ghats of the lakes and other pleasure groves.

But no—Bhim was nowhere.

No one had even seen him there.

Then where could Bhim have gone?

Vidur now became alarmed. Was Duryodhan’s invitation to the five Pandavas some trick? Had he harmed Bhim? Then Grandfather Bhishma’s fear was not false. That Shakuni must have given Duryodhan some wicked advice, and this event might be its result.

But this was not the time to become excited.

With the two young princes, Vidur came and stood before Kunti.

"Queen Kunti, please accept Vidur’s respect."

Kunti’s voice trembled. "Bhim, where is Bhim? You could not find my son, Vidur?"

"No, Queen. Bhim has not yet been found. But I have sent spies everywhere to search for him. Still, no news has come."

"What will happen, what will happen, Vidur? If any harm has come to Bhim, I, I will not stay alive."

"What are you saying, Queen?" Vidur replied. "Such deep anxiety does not suit you. You have endless patience. Why are you so afraid? Wherever Bhim is, he is safe. Trust my words, Queen."

Kunti cried out, "Is Bhim even alive? If Duryodhan tricked my simple-hearted son and took him somewhere and killed him..."

The princes were shaken. "What are you saying, Mother?"

Vidur spoke quickly. "No, Queen, no. Nothing like that has happened to your Bhim. He will surely return. You, you please never speak such words again. Have you forgotten the blessing of Vyas Dev himself, Queen? He, he said that all your five sons would live long lives. The blessing of the great sage Vyasa can never be false, Queen. Bhim is alive."

All Hastinapur was in turmoil as the search for Bhim Sen went on.

But I know where Bhim is.

Bhim’s mother Kunti also knows in her heart that her son cannot die so early. He has my blessing, I, Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa, have blessed him. But in fear she has forgotten that. Vidur has spoken truly. Bhim is safe.

After Duryodhan threw him into the Ganga, unconscious Bhim kept sinking into the deep water and at last reached Nagaloka.

There, the attack of many poisonous serpents destroyed the effect of the deadly Kalakuta poison in his body.

At once Bhim regained consciousness.

Then he broke his bonds and began to kill one serpent warrior after another. Terrible black serpents rushed at him from all sides. A great uproar arose in Nagaloka. The serpents seized Bhim and sent word to their king.

Now Bhim would be judged in Nagaloka.