Yuyutsu, also called Vikarna in some versions, was a son of King Dhritarashtra, born to one of his Vaishya wives, making him the half-brother of the Kauravas. Despite his Kaurava lineage, Yuyutsu’s character is marked by his unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness, traits that set him apart from his more infamous brothers, the Kauravas, particularly Duryodhana and Dushasana.
Yuyutsu’s Sense of Justice and the Incident of Draupadi’s Dishonor
Yuyutsu’s deep sense of morality and justice became particularly evident during the infamous Draupadi Vastraharan incident, where Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, was dishonored in the assembly hall by the Kauravas after Yudhishthira lost her in a rigged dice game. In the assembly, when Dushasana attempted to disrobe Draupadi, most of the Kauravas, including Duryodhana and Karna, either encouraged or remained silent, showing their complicity in the grave injustice being done.
However, Yuyutsu was one of the few who voiced his strong objection to this horrific act. He, along with Vikarna (another of Dhritarashtra’s sons, sometimes confused with Yuyutsu in different versions of the Mahabharata), opposed the dishonoring of Draupadi. They recognized the adharma (unrighteousness) of the Kauravas’ actions and spoke out against it, even though this placed them in direct opposition to their elder brother Duryodhana and the powerful Kaurava assembly.
This moment highlights Yuyutsu’s integrity and bravery, as standing up for Draupadi in the Kaurava court was an act that went against his own family. His willingness to oppose injustice, even within his own house, mirrors the Kshatriya dharma of protecting the weak and standing for righteousness, principles that his elder Kaurava brothers had forsaken.
Yuyutsu’s Role in the Kurukshetra War
As the Mahabharata narrative progressed towards the inevitable confrontation between the Pandavas and the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War, Yuyutsu found himself increasingly disillusioned by the unrighteous actions of his brothers, particularly Duryodhana. Unlike most of Dhritarashtra’s sons, Yuyutsu was deeply disturbed by the injustice and treachery that had been employed by the Kauravas against their cousins, the Pandavas.
When it became clear that war was imminent, Yuyutsu made a bold and principled decision—he chose to switch sides and fight for the Pandavas, the very cousins that his half-brothers sought to destroy. His choice to align himself with the Pandavas was based on his moral compass and his belief in the righteousness of their cause. This decision was not only a reflection of his personal values but also symbolized the cosmic battle between dharma and adharma, with Yuyutsu choosing the path of righteousness over familial loyalty.
Yuyutsu’s defection to the Pandavas is a significant moment, as it emphasizes that the conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas was not merely a family feud, but a battle between justice and injustice, where individuals were forced to choose between supporting dharma or adharma, regardless of their personal connections.
The Sole Survivor Among Dhritarashtra’s Sons
In the brutal and cataclysmic Kurukshetra War, where all one hundred Kaurava brothers, including the mighty Duryodhana and Dushasana, were slain, Yuyutsu stood out as the only son of Dhritarashtra to survive the war. His survival can be attributed to his defection to the Pandava side, which proved to be the side that triumphed in the end.
The Mahabharata highlights Yuyutsu’s survival as not just a physical victory, but a moral triumph. By aligning with the Pandavas, Yuyutsu ensured that he stood on the side of dharma, and as a result, he was spared the tragic fate of his brothers. This also underscores the karmic principle prevalent throughout Hindu mythology—that those who align themselves with righteousness and uphold justice are ultimately protected by the cosmic order.
Yuyutsu’s Role After the War
After the Pandavas emerged victorious in the war and assumed control of Hastinapura, Yuyutsu’s loyalty and righteousness were recognized. Following the death of the Kauravas and the destruction of much of the Kuru dynasty, Yuyutsu became an important figure in the aftermath of the war.
When Yudhishthira ascended the throne as the rightful king of Hastinapura, Yuyutsu was appointed to help administer the kingdom. Yudhishthira, known for his sense of justice and fairness, entrusted Yuyutsu with the care of the kingdom, recognizing him as a person of moral integrity. His role as a trusted member of the Pandava administration reflects how the forces of dharma, embodied by both the Pandavas and Yuyutsu, were tasked with the difficult but righteous work of restoring order and peace after the destruction caused by the war.
Connection to Other Entities and Stories in Hindu Mythology
Dhritarashtra and His Sons
Yuyutsu’s relationship with Dhritarashtra, his father, is a complex one. Dhritarashtra, the blind king of Hastinapura, was torn between his love for his sons, the Kauravas, and his inability to oppose their unrighteous actions. Despite knowing that Duryodhana’s actions were unjust, Dhritarashtra remained largely passive, allowing his sons to go down the path of adharma. Yuyutsu, as Dhritarashtra’s son, chose to break away from this cycle of inaction and upheld the values that Dhritarashtra failed to enforce.
The Pandavas and Draupadi
Yuyutsu’s loyalty to the Pandavas is particularly significant in the context of the larger narrative of the Mahabharata. The Pandavas, especially Yudhishthira, Arjuna, and Bheema, were considered the rightful heirs to Hastinapura and the champions of dharma. By siding with the Pandavas, Yuyutsu placed himself in alignment with the divine plan upheld by Krishna, who guided the Pandavas to victory.
Yuyutsu’s objection to Draupadi’s humiliation in the assembly hall also ties him to Draupadi’s larger role in the Mahabharata. Draupadi’s dishonoring was a pivotal event that symbolized the depths of Kaurava injustice and set the stage for the Kurukshetra War. Yuyutsu, by speaking out against this injustice, reaffirmed the idea that righteousness could still be found even among the Kauravas.
Vikarna: The Confusion of Names
In some retellings, Vikarna, another son of Dhritarashtra, is also credited with opposing Draupadi’s disrobing, creating confusion between the characters of Yuyutsu and Vikarna. Both Yuyutsu and Vikarna are depicted as just and fair-minded in contrast to their brothers, though Vikarna does not switch sides and remains loyal to Duryodhana in the war. Vikarna, like the rest of the Kauravas, dies on the battlefield, highlighting the tragedy of even the most righteous Kauravas being unable to escape their fate.
Table: Key Characters Related to Yuyutsu
Character | Relation to Yuyutsu | Significance in the Mahabharata |
---|---|---|
Dhritarashtra | Father | Yuyutsu was one of Dhritarashtra’s sons, but unlike his half-brothers, he chose righteousness and joined the Pandavas in the war. |
Duryodhana | Half-brother and leader of the Kauravas | Duryodhana’s ambition and enmity towards the Pandavas led to the war. Yuyutsu opposed Duryodhana’s unjust actions, particularly the treatment of Draupadi. |
Draupadi | Pandavas’ wife, dishonored in the Kaurava court | Yuyutsu objected to the humiliation of Draupadi during her disrobing, one of the central injustices that triggered the Kurukshetra War. |
Yudhishthira | Cousin and eldest Pandava | After the war, Yudhishthira entrusted Yuyutsu with important responsibilities in the kingdom, acknowledging his loyalty and sense of justice. |
Vikarna | Another son of Dhritarashtra | In some versions, Vikarna, like Yuyutsu, opposed Draupadi’s disrobing. However, Vikarna fought for the Kauravas and died during the war, unlike Yuyutsu, who joined the Pandavas. |
Krishna | Maternal uncle of the Pandavas | Krishna’s role as the divine guide of the Pandavas ensured the victory of dharma. Yuyutsu, by aligning with the Pandavas, indirectly aligned with Krishna’s divine plan. |
Conclusion
Yuyutsu’s story in the Mahabharata highlights the moral complexity of the Kaurava-Pandava conflict. Though born into the
Kaurava family, Yuyutsu’s sense of justice and commitment to dharma led him to stand against his own brothers and side with the Pandavas in the great war. His decision to abandon the Kauravas and fight for righteousness ensured that he became the only surviving son of Dhritarashtra, a testament to the idea that those who stand for dharma are ultimately protected.
Yuyutsu’s actions, especially his opposition to Draupadi’s dishonoring, reflect the broader themes of justice, loyalty, and the triumph of righteousness that are central to the Mahabharata. His story also serves as a reminder that even within a family embroiled in adharma, there are individuals like Yuyutsu who choose to uphold the values of justice and truth.