Story Summary
Discover how Duryodhana's Jealousy ignited the Great War. Witness his envy at Indraprastha's Maya Sabha in this classic story from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava prince, was invited to the Rajasuya Yagna performed by his cousins, the Pandavas, in their magnificent city of Indraprastha. The palace, known as the Maya Sabha, was filled with optical illusions designed by the architect Maya Danava. As Duryodhana walked through the halls, he mistook a solid floor for a pool of water and lifted his robes. Later, he mistook a real pond for a solid crystal floor and fell headlong into the water. Seeing his humiliation, the Pandavas and Draupadi laughed at his plight. This public embarrassment transformed Duryodhana’s simmering envy into a raging fire of hatred. He could not bear to see his cousins' prosperity and power. Returning to Hastinapur, he remained consumed by bitterness. This jealousy, fueled by his uncle Shakuni, eventually led to the treacherous game of dice and the eventual Kurukshetra War.
The Moral
Jealousy is a destructive force that blinds one's judgment and leads to self-destruction.
“Envy is a fire that consumes the heart that harbors it before it harms the enemy.”
Fun Fact
The Maya Sabha was so technologically advanced for its time that it is often cited in modern discussions as a legendary example of holographic-like optical illusions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered Duryodhana's jealousy in the Mahabharata?
His jealousy was triggered by the immense wealth and grandeur of the Pandavas' city, Indraprastha, and his own public humiliation in the Maya Sabha.
Who built the Maya Sabha?
The Maya Sabha was built by Maya Danava, the architect of the Asuras, as a gift to the Pandavas for saving his life.
Did Draupadi really mock Duryodhana?
While many versions state Draupadi laughed and called him the 'blind son of a blind man,' some scholarly versions of the Mahabharata suggest it was primarily the Pandava brothers and their servants who laughed.
What was the result of Duryodhana's envy?
His envy led him to conspire with Shakuni to strip the Pandavas of their kingdom through a rigged game of dice, which eventually caused the Kurukshetra War.
How did the Maya Sabha trick Duryodhana?
The palace used magical illusions where solid ground looked like water and deep pools of water looked like solid, transparent crystal floors.
Who encouraged Duryodhana's feelings of hatred?
His maternal uncle, Shakuni, constantly manipulated Duryodhana’s emotions and encouraged him to use deceit to take what the Pandavas had built.