Short Stories from Mahabharata: 14- Yuyutsu, the noble Kaurava

Yes, it is known that Yuyutsu is the step brother of Duryodhan.

When Gandhari remains pregnant almost for 2 years without delivering any kids. Dhritarashtra bears a son with the maid of Gandhari. He was named Yuyutsu, and is counted among the Kauravas. With him in counting Dhritarashtra has 102 children- 100 Kauravas, Yuyutsu and their sister Dushala. Yuyutsu is younger than Yudhishthira and Bheem and elder to the rest of the Pandavas and Kauravas. He was always neglected by Kauravas and Dhritrashtra because of being a dasiputra.

Yuyutsu is celebrated as a moral warrior who chose the path of righteousness, in spite of being born in circumstances that predisposed him to evil. He forwent his family bonds in order to side with dharma. Also, Yuyutsu saved the life of Bhima by informing the Pandavas about Duryodhana's cunning schemes, which included poisoning water. Both Yuyutsu and Vikarna abhorred Duryodhana's conspiracies and evil schemes; however, Vikarna stays loyal to the family and perishes in the war. Both these brothers opposed Draupadi's cheerharan at the royal court, while all other elders remain quiet.

 Before the onset of the battle of Kurukshetra war between Kauravas and Pandavas, Yuyutsu shifts from Kauravas to the Pandava camp. Yuyutsu fought the battle on the side of the Pandavas. He was one among the 11 Maharathis (capable of fighting 720,000 warriors simultaneously) among the Kauravas. Yuyutsu was one among the eleven warriors to have survived the war.

When the Pandavas decided to retire from the world at the start of the kalyug and departure of Krishna and Yudhisthira gave the charge of supervising the kingdom to Yuyutsu while Parikshit was made the king.



Comments