Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta Chapter 1.2

In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana is indeed portrayed as a complex character with a mix of negative traits. He is known for his arrogance, ego, and cruelty, and his rivalry with the Pandavas, particularly with Yudhishthira, is a central theme of the epic. Duryodhana’s ambition to rule Hastinapur and his determination to eliminate the Pandavas to achieve that goal drive much of the conflict in the story.

When Duryodhana sees the massive Pandava army on the battlefield, he realizes that he has underestimated his cousins’ military strength. This realization makes him nervous and fearful of the outcome of the impending war. To hide his anxiety and to seek reassurance, he approaches his guru, Dronacharya, under the pretense of showing respect. Duryodhana’s actions at this moment reveal the inner turmoil he is experiencing and his desperation to find a way to deal with the unexpected strength of the Pandava army.

Duryodhana’s character is a complex one, and his actions and decisions throughout the Mahabharata reflect his flawed nature and his unrelenting pursuit of power and revenge against the Pandavas.