Duryodhana’s Final Battle – Bhima vs Duryodhana
Karna had fallen.
The Kaurava army had lost one of its greatest warriors.
Duryodhana was now almost alone.
The Kurukshetra War had destroyed nearly the entire Kuru army.
But Duryodhana still refused to surrender.
The final confrontation between the Pandavas and Duryodhana was approaching.
1. Duryodhana Leaves the Battlefield
After Karna’s death, Duryodhana realized that his army had almost completely collapsed.
He left the battlefield and went to a nearby lake.
Using his powers, he hid beneath the water.
The Pandavas searched for him.
They knew that the war could not truly end while Duryodhana remained alive.
2. The Pandavas Find Duryodhana
Eventually, the Pandavas discovered where Duryodhana was hiding.
They called him out.
Yudhishthira told Duryodhana that hiding would not save him.
Duryodhana finally came out of the water.
He was still proud and confident.
Even after losing his entire army, he believed he could defeat the Pandavas.
3. Duryodhana Chooses a Mace Fight
Duryodhana challenged the Pandavas to choose one warrior to fight him.
He wanted a mace duel.
Bhima immediately stepped forward.
For many years, Bhima and Duryodhana had been enemies.
Their rivalry had begun during their childhood.
Now their final confrontation was about to take place.
4. Bhima and Duryodhana Prepare
Both warriors were experts in fighting with the mace.
They had trained under Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother.
Balarama had taught them the techniques of mace fighting.
Duryodhana was extremely skilled.
Bhima was enormously powerful.
The two warriors stood facing each other.
5. The Mace Duel Begins
Bhima and Duryodhana attacked each other.
Their maces struck with tremendous force.
Each warrior was strong enough to cause serious damage with a single blow.
The battle continued for a long time.
Neither warrior could easily defeat the other.
The Pandavas watched anxiously.
6. Duryodhana Shows His Skill
Duryodhana’s training under Balarama was evident.
He moved quickly and defended himself effectively.
He attacked Bhima repeatedly.
For a moment, it appeared that Duryodhana might win.
Bhima became increasingly determined.
He remembered the humiliation of Draupadi and the many injustices committed against the Pandavas.
7. Bhima Remembers His Vow
Bhima had made a terrible vow years earlier.
During the dice hall incident, Duryodhana had insulted Draupadi.
Bhima had sworn that one day he would defeat Duryodhana.
That memory remained in his mind.
During the mace fight, Bhima saw his opportunity.
8. Krishna Gives a Sign
The mace duel had rules.
A warrior was not normally supposed to attack below the waist.
But Duryodhana was extremely difficult to defeat.
Krishna knew that Bhima needed an opening.
Krishna gave Bhima a subtle signal toward Duryodhana’s thigh.
Bhima understood the message.
9. Bhima Strikes Duryodhana
Bhima attacked with tremendous force.
He struck Duryodhana on the thigh.
Duryodhana fell to the ground.
The great mace duel had ended.
Bhima had fulfilled his long-standing vow.
But the strike was controversial because it violated the traditional rules of mace combat.
10. Balarama Becomes Angry
Balarama witnessed what had happened.
He was furious because Bhima had struck Duryodhana below the waist.
Balarama considered the move unfair.
He wanted to punish Bhima.
Krishna intervened and explained the history of Duryodhana’s actions and the circumstances that had led to the war.
Balarama eventually left.
11. Duryodhana’s Fall
Duryodhana lay wounded on the battlefield.
His kingdom was lost.
His brothers were dead.
His greatest warriors were gone.
Yet he remained proud.
He believed that he had lived according to his own choices and had achieved greatness as a king.
His fall marked the practical end of the Kaurava side’s resistance.
12. The Pandavas Have Won
The Pandavas had finally defeated Duryodhana.
The Kaurava army was destroyed.
The Pandavas had technically won the war.
But there was very little happiness.
Almost everyone they loved had been lost.
Their victory had come at an enormous cost.
13. The War Seems to Be Over
The Pandavas believed the war was finally finished.
They had defeated the Kaurava army.
Duryodhana was lying wounded.
The battlefield had become silent.
But one final tragedy was waiting.
Three important Kaurava warriors were still alive:
- Ashwatthama
- Kripacharya
- Kritavarma
Ashwatthama was filled with anger over his father’s death.
14. Ashwatthama Takes a Terrible Decision
Ashwatthama saw Duryodhana lying wounded.
He was devastated by the destruction of the Kaurava army.
He decided that the Pandavas must pay for everything that had happened.
That night, Ashwatthama would make a decision that would bring one final tragedy to the war.
The Kurukshetra battlefield had already witnessed enormous destruction.
But the war’s darkest night was still ahead.
The story continues in Maha Bharatham Part 24 – Ashwatthama’s Revenge and the Night Attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who fought Duryodhana in the final mace duel?
Bhima fought Duryodhana.
Who trained Bhima and Duryodhana in mace fighting?
Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother, trained both warriors.
How did Bhima defeat Duryodhana?
Bhima struck Duryodhana on the thigh during the mace duel.
Why was the strike controversial?
Traditional mace-fighting rules prohibited attacking below the waist.
Did the Pandavas feel happy after defeating Duryodhana?
Their victory was overshadowed by the enormous loss of relatives, teachers, friends and warriors during the war.
Was the war completely over after Duryodhana fell?
The main battle was effectively over, but Ashwatthama’s revenge was still to come
Leave a Reply