Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas and son of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, was the primary antagonist of the Mahābhārata. Gifted in mace combat and a skilled warrior, he was also ambitious, proud, and driven by envy toward the Pandavas. Guided by his uncle Shakuni, he plotted tirelessly to undermine his cousins, from the dice game that led to their exile to repeated attempts on their lives. Despite his flaws, Duryodhana was admired for his loyalty to friends, especially Karna, and his generosity to allies. In the Kurukshetra War, he fought valiantly, leading the Kaurava army with determination. His final duel with Bhima, fought with maces, ended in his death, fulfilling Bhima’s vow of vengeance for Draupadi’s humiliation. Duryodhana’s legacy is one of courage mixed with arrogance, ambition clouded by envy, and tragic downfall shaped by his inability to reconcile pride with dharma.
