Duryodhana
Duryodhana (दुर्योधन) was the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, and the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers.
Meaning of name
Duryodhana means "the unconquerable one" or "difficult to fight with". Literally, Duryodhana means 'hard to conquer'. His chariot bore a flag depicting a hooded cobra.
His childhood name was Suyodhana meaning the "good warrior".
In Jat History
Qanungo[1] writes that the author of Mujmal-ut-Twarikh records an interesting legend - that a joint embassy was sent by the Jats and Meds of Sindh to the Court of King Duryodhana, asking for a ruler to govern them. "The Jats and Meds . . . dwelt in Sindh and on the banks of the river which is Bahar (mouth of the Indus?) .... The Meds held the ascendancy over the Jats, and put them to great distress, which compelled them to take refuge on the other side of the river Pahan (Panjnad river?), but being accustomed to the use of boats, they used to cross the river and make attacks on the Meds, who were owners of sheep. It so came to pass that the Jats enfeebled the Meds, killed many of them and plundered their country. The Meds then became subject to the Jats.
His family
Duryodhana was married to Bhanumati, daughter of Bhagadatta,king of the city Pragjyotisha. He fathered two children, Laxman Kumara and Lakshmana. Laxman was killed by Abhimanyu in the Mahabharata war. Lakshmana married Samba (Krishna's son) after the latter had abducted her.
Jat connections
- Yayati dynasty had a son called Arh, whose son Gandhara founded the town of Gandhar, now known as Kandhar. Gandhari, mother of Duryodhana was from this town. Jats have gotras of this dynasty named Gaina, Gaindhar, Gaindhala and Gaindhu.
- Kukar clan supported Duryodhana in the war (VI. 47.7)
- Sindhu Raja Jayadratha, who had married Duryodhana's sister, fought for the Kauravas in the Mahabharata.
- Mahabharata mentions Ugra as one of the seven brothers of Duryodhana, slain by Bhima on Day 4 of Kurukshetra War.[2]
Temples of Duryodhana
At Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple in Kerala's Kollam district, Duryodhana is worshipped as the main deity. It is the only temple in South India, where a Kaurava is considered a God.
In Kumaon region of Uttranchal, several beautifully carved temples are dedicated to Duryodhana and he is worshipped as a minor deity. The mountain tribes of Kumaon fought along with Duryodhana armies in the Mahābhārata war; he was venerated as a capable and generous administrator.
External links
References
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