Duryodhana Resolves to Fast to Death
Overcome with shame after hearing Karna and Shakuni, Duryodhana declares he will fast to death. He rejects every plea from his well-wishers, spreads darbha grass on the ground, purifies himself, and sits in silence — cutting himself off from the world, desiring only heaven. His vulnerability draws the attention of beings far below the earth.
Duryodhana was already sorrowful. The humiliation of being captured by the gandharvas, the rescue by the Pandavas he despised — it had all pressed down on him like a weight he could not throw off. Then he heard Karna and Shakuni speak. What they said, exactly, the source does not record. But the effect was immediate and complete.
He was overcome with shame. He became extremely despondent.
His well-wishers tried to reach him. They spoke to him — his advisers, his brothers, his relatives — offering counsel, comfort, arguments. He cut through all of it with a single declaration.
"I am no longer concerned with dharma, riches, friendship, prosperity or acts of pleasure. Do not be frustrated. Leave. I have made up my mind that I will fast to death. All of you return to the city and show honour to my superiors."
They refused. "O Indra among kings! O descendant of the Bharata lineage! The path that you traverse is also ours. How can we return to the city without you?"
They addressed him in many different ways. He had made up his mind and would not waver.
In accordance with his resolution, Dhritarashtra's son spread darbha grass on the ground — the sacred blades used in rites of finality. He purified himself by touching water and sat down on the ground. He was attired in rags and a garment made of kusha grass. He established himself in the supreme rite. The tiger among kings maintained silence. He was desirous of going to heaven. He controlled his mind and cut himself off from the external world.
He sat there, unmoving, unreachable — a king who had decided that the only thing left to him was to leave. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 536