Duryodhana's Humiliation

After the Rajasuya Yajna was concluded, the royal guests were honoured and bade farewell. However, Duryodhana decided to stay at Indraprastha for a few days. He was overwhelmed by the exquisite beauty of Indraprastha and didn't like the fact that it surpassed the beauty of Hastinapura.

One day, Duryodhana and his uncle Shakuni found themselves in a peculiar situation. They went near what appeared to be a pond which was covered with beautiful lotuses. Duryodhana lifted his clothes and gingerly took a step only to find himself standing on a solid crystal surface. The Pandavas laughed at his mistake, which embarrassed him.

A few days later, he came across a similar-looking surface. Determined not to make a fool of himself again, he boldly stepped forward. This time, however, it was actually a pond. He fell into the water, drenching his clothes. Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, and their servants roared with laughter, and Duryodhana was mortified. Another time, he bumped his head against a transparent door he thought was open. 

Duryodhana's pride was hurt. The more he thought about the Pandavas' popularity, prosperity, and success, the more agitated he became. The embarrassing incidents at Indraprastha intensified the fire within him. After returning to Hastinapura, he was not interested in anything. He spent all his time thinking about how to humiliate the Pandavas. His uncle Shakuni was the only relative from whom he sought advice regarding conspiracies and schemes. Shakuni asked him what was causing his uneasiness.

Duryodhana expressed his true feelings. "I cannot bear to watch the Pandavas prosper. They have received divine weapons and chariots as gifts. Their capital, Indraprastha, is more magnificent and beautiful than any other city. But more than anything, their laughter is what bothers me. When I fell into a pond and banged against a door, they laughed loudly. I can never forget how humiliated I felt.  My enthusiasm for life itself is waning."

"Don't worry," Shakuni reassured him. "The Pandavas have only got what was rightfully theirs. It's true that they won the hand of Draupadi. King Drupada and Krishna are their relatives, but you have Drona, Karna, Kripacharya and me on your side. If you so wish, you can conquer the entire earth. Today fortune is on their side, but tomorrow it may be on yours."