Ratna Prabha
The news of the birth of Yudhishthira, the eldest son of Pandu and Kunti, made Dhritarashtra, the King of Hastinapur, restless.
He poured his heart out to his charioteer, Sanjaya, who was more than a charioteer. He was the king’s mentor, counsellor, and closest friend, all rolled into one.
“Would this mean Yudhisthira gets the first right to the throne of Hastinapur, Sanjaya?”
“Why are you worrying about something that is still many years away, my king?”
“You don’t and never will understand what it is to have a handicap,” replied the king, in a chagrined voice. “Thanks to my blindness, my younger brother, Pandu, was made king. Only when Pandu went into self-exile was I placed on the throne, and that too, only as a Regent. Bhishma, our grandsire, keeps the primary control. I fear this secondary treatment will pass on to my sons.”
“Don’t worry, King Dhritarashtra. Queen Gandhari is holding 100 sons in her womb, thanks to Sage Vyasa’s boon. Your wish for an heir will soon be fulfilled.”
“But why is it taking so long? Gandhari and Kunti conceived around the same time, and Pandu’s son has already been born, and we are still waiting. I am getting restless, Sanjaya.”
“So, you don’t believe Sage Vyasa’s boon will come true, my dear husband?” Gandhari, who wore a blindfold permanently so that she could share the darkness of life with her husband, quipped as she walked into the room, helped by two maids.
Sanjaya got up, took over from Gandhari’s maids, and helped the queen to her seat, close to King Dhritarashtra. The maids then left the room.
Yuyutsu’s Birth
The king held his wife’s hand and said, “No, my dear, I don’t doubt the words of the wise sage at all. I just don’t know how to handle my impatience and restlessness.”
Gandhari said smilingly, “Maybe you need a distraction!”
At this point, Sanjaya left his king and queen, giving them the privacy they sought.
“What kind of distraction?”
“Well, another woman, perhaps?”
“What rubbish! I don’t need that, Gandhari.”
“Yes, you do! I can do nothing but wait until Sage Vyasa’s boon materializes and I deliver our children. But I understand your impatience. My maid, Sughada, is keen on having a Kshatriya son. She is a good woman, too. The child born to her would be mine as much as yours. He might be the eldest Kaurava you seek so much!”
Dhritarashtra didn’t reply and simply stared unseeing at the floor beneath his feet.
“I will take the silence as your approval. I will send Sughada to you right away.”
And so, Yuyutsu, the half-sibling of the 100 Kaurava brothers and the lone sister, Dushala, was conceived. He was born on the same day as his half-brothers. Gandhari, true to her word, treated Yuyutsu as her own. He also trained under Guru Dronacharya, the revered teacher of the Kuru clan.
However, Yuyutsu felt more connected to the Pandavas than to his half-brothers. He sided with the five cousins right from their student days.
One day, he overheard Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava’s plan to poison Bhima, the powerfully brawny third Pandava, and throw him into the river. He reveals this plan to the Pandavas, who are able to save Bhima from certain death.
When Vidura, Hastinapur’s trusted prime minister (and half-brother of Pandu and Dhritarashtra), heard of this incident, he appointed Yuyutsu as his informer. Yuyutsu would report everything the Kauravas discussed and planned to Vidura.
Childhood matured to youth, and the animosity between the cousins only deepened. The feuds were endless. The Kuru elders were flummoxed, wondering how the inheritance issue would be solved.
When Yudhisthira lost Draupadi, his wife, to Duryodhana in the infamous dice game, she was dragged to court and insulted in public. Dushasana, one of the Kauravas, even tried to disrobe her, claiming that she was now their slave and they could do what they pleased with her.
Yuyutsu was furious, first with Yudhisthira for wagering his wife, then with his half-brothers, and then the elders of Hastinapura’s court, who watched the horrendous spectacle without lifting a finger to stop it. He openly opposed his brothers’ unforgivable behaviour and fought on behalf of Draupadi, an act that even her five brave husbands did not have the courage to do at that point in time.
Yuyutsu’s Dilemma
The seemingly childish animosity between the Pandavas and Kauravas slowly snowballed into the full-fledged, 18-day, bloody Mahabharata war. It was called the Dharma War, and all the warriors and soldiers were free to choose their side according to their inner calling.
Expectedly, Yuyutsu decides to cross over and fight for the Pandavas. The day before he announced his choice, he went to meet Gandhari.
“Come, my son.” She hugged him and welcomed him warmly. He hugged her back joyfully, and in the comfort of her loving embrace, Yuyutsu hesitated.
Am I doing the right thing? Should I not fight on the side of my brothers? Would it not be a betrayal to fight against the sons of this compassionate mother?
“Have you come to take my blessings, son Yuyutsu?”
“Yes, mother. But you may not like what I have to say,” replied Yuyutsu, his voice clearly reflecting feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.
“I am your mother. I can sense your apprehension from your mere presence. So, don’t worry. Go ahead and empty your worries in your mother’s lap.”
Yuyutsu sat at Gandhari’s feet like a child, hugging her knees and laying his head on her lap. She ran her hands gently through his hair.
“I am sorry, Mother. But I am siding with the Pandavas in the upcoming war.”
“I knew you would, Yuyutsu. I may be blind, but I keep track of all my children and know what is happening with each of you. I am not upset with your decision. You must do what your heart tells you to. Maybe your decision might be the saving grace for the Kaurava side.”
“I don’t understand, mother.”
“You will understand my words today. But one day, you will. Go Yuyutsu. You have my blessings! You will remain unharmed in the war, regardless of the outcome.”
The gory, bloody war ended with the victory of the Pandavas. When Yuyutsu witnessed the senseless destruction and battlefield stained with the blood of thousands and thousands of slain warriors and heard the pitiful wails of widowed women and orphaned children, he wondered if it could be a victory. He was the only surviving Kaurava. He understood the purport of his mother’s words when she cursed Krishna for being responsible for the death of all but one of her sons.
He was joined by Yudhishthira as he watched the horrific scenes on the battlefield.
“What are you thinking?”
“I am wondering if it would have been better for me to have fought with my brothers and met the same end as they did. I would have been spared the agony of this heart-wrenching scene,” replied Yuyutsu as tears streamed down his face.
“I have a confession to make, my dear Yuyutsu. Those 13 years in exile opened my eyes like no other. I was no different from Duryodhana before that. I was ambitious, jealous, and driven by sensual and physical desires just as much as the Kauravas. During the exile, I was faced with challenges that pushed me to my limits, and I was forced to turn inwards for solace. It was a journey of self-discovery for me.”
“I found the strength to face all my weaknesses without shame and guilt, which helped me find ways to overcome these weaknesses. The deeper I dug within myself, the more I purged my mistakes and sins. In fact, if the episode of the Yaksha’s questions had happened at the beginning of the exile, I would have been dead too, like my four younger brothers.”
“It took me a large part of my youth to gain the power of discernment between right and wrong. You, on the other hand, had this power even as a student. You always had the strength to stand up for righteousness. You are and always will be a better man than me, my dear brother. Don’t grieve for the consequences of your objective, prudent choices. Come, let us rebuild our kingdom. Your expertise is needed there.”
When Yudhishthira became King of Hastinapura, he honoured Yuyutsu by giving him an important post in his court. “You are a part of the Kuru clan and represent the Kauravas. You will always be our brother,” promised Yudhishthira.
When it was time for the Pandavas to leave their earthly bodies, they appointed Parikshit, Arjuna’s grandson and Abhimanyu’s son, as the heir to the throne of Hastinapur. Yudhishthira made Yuyutsu the overseer of the kingdom until Parikshit was old enough to assume full responsibility.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Reading about Yuyutsu, the Kaurava who chose to side with the Pandavas, was truly enlightening. His decision to stand for righteousness, even against his own kin, showcases immense courage and integrity. I was particularly moved by how he warned the Pandavas about Duryodhana’s schemes, highlighting his commitment to dharma. It’s fascinating to learn that, despite his lineage, Yuyutsu fought valiantly for the Pandavas and was among the few who survived the Kurukshetra war. His story is a powerful reminder that one’s choices, not just their birth, define their true character. I had often overlooked Yuyutsu’s role in the Mahabharata, but this narrative shed light on his significant contribution. His tale adds a profound layer to the epic, emphasizing the complexities of morality and loyalty.
Very well said, Romila. He stood by what he believed was right, and that takes courage. Thank you for your well articulated comment.
Another gem from the Mahabharata, from you. I look forward to reading your posts. These are such learning blogs for me. I have never heard of Yuyutsu before.His character seems more prominent than Yudhishtra.Taking a stand for the right doing takes a lot of courage and he showed that.
This was such an insightful read! I had heard of Yuyutsu before, but never in such depth. His inner conflict and unwavering sense of righteousness make him such a fascinating character. Loved how this brought out the emotional side of his journey!
I know! Conflicts are the biggest teachers. They bring light and clarity into our lives! And yet, we are so scared of them. Thank you, Neha, for your lovely comments.
Mythology always leaves me perplexed. On the surface, it’s quite an entangled web of misplaced relationships. My question is why would the queen want her maid to sleep with the king in the first place? How can a woman hold 100 babies at the same time or even in one lifetime? Nevertheless, that’s not for anyone to know. I didn’t know this story about Yuyutsu, so this was a good read.
I agree, Ambica. The layers and spaces between these ambiguities and grayness are where clarity and life lessons are held. The deeper I dig, the more lessons I learn. Moreover, don’t forgiveable one-night stands exist even among today’s celebrities. Of course, they needn’t be condoned. But that’s the way of life, I suppose. You raise some very valid points.
Wow thanks for sharing another lesser known story from the Mahabharat. I just vaguely remembered the name Yuyutsu – but never knew the story. Had no ideas that Kauravas had a half brother and that he decided to side with Pandavas.
Bringing to the fore such lesser known characters is one of the primary reasons I choose to retell stories from our puranas and itihasas. Your comment vindicates my efforts. Thank you, Sakshi.
I was not aware of the charecter of Yuyutsu … Thank you so much Ratna mam for your enriched storytelling skill which is helping me to make unknown things from the world of mythology. I am blessed to get chance to read your blogs.
And I’m blessed to have you as my reader. Thank you, Samata
Wow, I haven’t come across Yuyutsu much, so this felt like a fresh and intriguing read. It’s amazing how you weave these hidden gems into your storytelling, bringing them to life.
Thank you, Pinki, for your words of motivation and praise. Drives me to research and write more.
It is incredible that your series of posts about the different characters of Mahabharata is making us readers revisit the epic once again and making us remember the small yet very significant role they played.
I didn’t know this character from Mahabharat before I read your post. Thanks for telling the story of Yuyutsu.
Such a great person and yet, his story never gets told. You must compile all our stories in a book, Ratna. These must be read and known to all.
Yuyutsu’s story is such an interesting and often overlooked aspect of the Mahabharata. The fact that I’m reading about him through your post for the first time just goes to prove that, isn’t it?
His decision to side with the Pandavas shows that true loyalty lies in choosing what is right, even when it goes against blood ties. His moral compass, despite being part of the Kaurava family, really makes his character stand out I feel.
Great post as always with another refreshing deep dive into a lesser-known figure.
It is great to be back reading your stories. You sure have a way with words. I have heard of Yuyutsu thanks to the Mahabharat show of the 80s but not in such depth. Unfortunately, his character is rarely explored in either retellings or in Amar Chitra Kathas.
I never heard about Yuyutsu. I am learning new things from your blog inspite I have no intrest in mythology. But your post are always intresting and teach new things to me. Yuyutsu seems to be more prominent than his brother.
I wasn’t aware of this story before, and it was such a powerful read. Yuyutsu’s struggle and his bond with Gandhari really stood out. It’s a reminder of how difficult choices can shape our lives.
I love reading your posts. Mahabharat is extremely vast and complex and every character has a backstory. You convey it to us beautifully. Interesting that there’s still so much I don’t know yet.
I loved reading about Yuyutsu’s journey and his tough decision to side with the Pandavas. His internal struggle and sense of righteousness are so relatable, and it really made me reflect on loyalty and family!
This was an absolutely riveting read! Yuyutsu’s story is often overshadowed by the grand narrative of the Mahabharata, but you’ve brought his character to life with such depth and nuance. His inner turmoil, unwavering sense of righteousness, and the way he chose dharma over family make him one of the most fascinating yet underappreciated figures of the epic.
I never heard of this story. It was good to read about yuyutsu . Love how he chose to be on the side on whom he thought was right and not his half brothers.
I look forward to my weekly dose of mythology from your perspective very eagerly! Another great piece, Yuyutsu had always fascinated me.