Duryodhana's Repeated Attempts to Kill Bhimasena
Jealous of Bhima's celebrated strength and greedy for the kingdom, Duryodhana resolves to kill him as the first step to seizing power. He executes a series of murder attempts: drowning, snake bites, and poison. Each plot fails against Bhima's superhuman resilience, but the Pandavas, warned by Vidura, now know the depth of their cousin's hatred.
Bhimasena’s great strength became famous. When Duryodhana learned of it, the knowledge activated the wickedness in his nature. Greed for the kingdom and delusion led him to a single, evil thought: “Kunti’s son Vrikodara is the strongest. I must find a trick to kill him. Then I can overpower his brothers, tie them up, and reign as sovereign of the earth.” From that moment, Duryodhana was always watching for a chance.
He had a wonderful sports house built for water games at a place called Pramanakoti. One day, after an excess of exercise, Bhima was exhausted. He climbed onto the bank, clad in a white garment, tired and under the influence of drink, and fell into a sleep so deep it was like death. Duryodhana quietly tied him up with creepers and rolled his bound body into the deep, swift water. Regaining consciousness underwater, Bhima tore the bonds apart and rose to the surface.
On another occasion, when Bhima was sleeping, Duryodhana brought many snakes—sharp-toothed, immensely poisonous, and angry. He made them bite Bhima in all the soft spots of his body. The snakes bit, but they could not bring him down. His skin was too tough to penetrate. When Bhima woke, he killed all the snakes. He and his brothers became very careful from then on.
Duryodhana then had freshly made kalakuta poison, so virulent it made the hair stand on end, mixed into Bhimasena’s food. On this occasion, the son of a Vaishya (Vidura) alerted the Pandavas to ensure their welfare. But when Vrikodara ate the poisoned food, it had no effect. His body digested and tolerated even that.
Duryodhana, joined by Karna and Shakuni, tried many other means to kill the Pandavas. The Pandavas, scorchers of their enemies, got to know about all of these plots. As advised by Vidura, they never revealed their knowledge, letting the conflict simmer beneath the surface.