Duryodhana’s Big Mistake

Characters: Narrators, Krishna, Arjuna, Duryodhana Backdrop: Krishna’s palace at Dwaraka

Narrator 1: One of many stories from Mahabharata that showcase Krishna's intelligence and playful mischievousness. This story relates a situation when Krishna was approached to become an ally by both Duryodhana and Arjuna, as they were building up great armies before the battle at Kurukshetra. Duryodhana's attitude and choice cost him dearly, though he doesn't immediately realize his folly.

Narrator 2: Krishna has a well trained Yadava army with over 10,000 men. Krishna is pretending to sleep, stretched out on his bed. Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas walked into his room and saw Krishna sleeping. He sat down, decided to wait. Krishna was just sleeping with a gentle smile on his face. His feet were pointed towards Duryodhana.

Duryodhana (looked at Krishna): He is not even a king, he is a cowherd and I am a great emperor. Why am I sitting at his feet? Let me get up and sit close to his head.

Narrator 1: Just then Arjuna walked in.

Arjuna: Oh, Krishna is sleeping! Let me wait for him to wake up. I will sit near his feet as I consider it my blessing.

Narrator 2: Krishna opened his eyes after sometime, pretending to wake up.

Krishna: Oh, Arjuna when did you come?

Arjuna: O’Krishna, just a little while ago.

Narrator 1: Before they could talk further Duryodhana cleared his throat to make his presence felt.

Krishna: Oh Duryodhana, even you? Both of you are here at the same time? What brings you here ?

Narrator 2: Both have to come request Krishna’s help in the Kurukshetra war.

Krishna: Both of you have come and you are asking for the same thing. So let me put it this way. One of you can have my army, the other can have my presence on their side during the war. But I won't fight, I’ll just come with you. Because my vision fell upon Arjuna first, he gets the first choice.

Duryodhana: I came here first. I should be given the first choice.

Krishna: But what can I do? When I opened my eyes,I saw Arjuna first.

(Krishna turned to Arjuna) Krishna: Arjuna, you choose what you want.

Arjuna: Oh Lord, we want you, I don’t care about the army. We just want you with us.

Krishna: Remember Arjuna, I am not going to fight for you. I’ll just come with you.

Narrator 1: Arjuna insisted that he only wants Krishna by his side during the war. Just then Duryodhana, let a sigh of relief,

Duryodhana: In that case, I will take all of Krishna’s army and victory will be mine. You Pandavas, let go of a good opportunity for 10000 men to fight for you. By choosing Krishna who is not even going to fight, is a foolish choice.

Narrator 2: Krishna granted Arjuna and Duryodhana’s wish with a gentle smile on his face.

Narrator 1: The choice made all the difference. In the Kurukshetra war, Thus proving that Krishna’s presence and blessing is the strongest form of weapon than having thousands of men.

Narrator 2: In life, people always make choices based on the situation. Some make right choices and some do not. People learn from their mistakes when they do not make the right choice. In this story Duryodhana was given the opportunity to make the right choice but he failed to do so only because greed and jealousy clouded his decision.