Evil and good are ever present in a state of constant clash in varying degrees and in macro as well as micro levels, as represented in life in general and in the individual. Among the vices that dilute the value system, envy, jealousy and greed can lead to the perpetration of crimes because people and things appear different when viewed through the lens of envy. In a lecture on Panchali Sabadham , Dr. Sudha Seshaiyan said that poet Bharati, inspired by the episode of the game of dice in the Mahabharata , explores the concept of evil in Duryodhana who is a classic example of one in the grip of envy.
Though Duryodhana was in possession of the vast wealth and kingdom of Hastinapura, Yudhishtira's fame after the Rajasuya Yaga at Indraprastha begins to taunt his envious nature. He grudges the well-being of the Pandavas and desires to usurp all their wealth and kingdom. Knowing that confronting Yudhishtira in a straight manner would not be effective for this purpose, he chooses to seek the sly and cunning Sakuni's help to hatch a conspiracy. Duryodhana knows his father's intense love for Yudhishtira and wishes to exploit it to suit his evil intentions. He tells his father that he fell down in Indraprastha and that Draupadi had laughed at him in an insulting manner. Duryodhana seeks his father's consent for a game of dice. And Dhritarashtra, driven by his destiny, sends Vidura as a messenger to invite the Pandavas for a game of dice.
Yudhishtira is drawn into the game. In a fraudulent manner during the game, the unsuspecting Yudhishtira is stripped of all his possessions — goats, cows, the land, himself, his brothers, and finally Draupadi. He fails to protect the country and the people and is responsible for the humiliation of Draupadi that follows. This tragic situation becomes an occasion to celebrate for Duryodhana and Sakuni.
Duryodhana is jealous of Lord Krishna, who was chosen as the most pre-eminent guest and honoured during the Rajasuya Yaga. He is unable to accept Vidura's advice and accuses him of ingratitude because he openly opts to be an ally of the Pandavas.
