The post here will be about more than just his combative talent as a fighter, it will also be about his lifetime accomplishments outside of the battlefield.
BEGIN
Duryodhan's hunting skill.
(Quote)
"The king, attended by all his followers, began also to slay hyenas and buffaloes and deer and gayals and bears and boars all around. And the king, piercing by his shafts those animals by thousands in deep forest, caused the deer to be caught in the more delightful parts of the woods."
(End).
Logic - the king here is duryodhan he fired a thousand arrows on a thousand animal's without getting fatigued himself.
Physical strength of Duryodhan.
[start]
"My son who was struck down possessed the strength of 10,000 elephants. In manhood's prime and possessed of an adamantine frame, he was not capable of being slain by any creature."
[end]
Logic; this could just be an exaggeration as its regular to praise a warrior after their death. But if taken literally then this confirms he has better physical strength than Bhishma pitamaha.
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Suyodhan vs 13 warrior's:
[Quote]
Duryodhana pierced Bhimasena with ten arrows and each of the twins with three and king Yudhishthira with seven. And he pierced Virata and Drupada with six arrows, and Sikhandin with a hundred. And piercing Dhrishtadyumna with twenty arrows, he struck each of the five sons of Draupadi with three arrows. With his fierce shafts he cut off hundreds of other combatants in that battle, including elephants and car-warriors, like the Destroyer himself in wrath exterminating creatures."
"In consequence of his skill cultured by practice and of the power of his weapons, he seemed, as he was engaged in striking down his foes, to bend his bow incessantly drawn to a circle whether when aiming or letting off his shafts. Indeed, that formidable bow of his, the back of whose staff was decked with gold, was seen by people to be drawn into a perpetual circle as he was employed in slaying his enemies."
"Then king Yudhishthira, with a couple of broad-headed shafts, cut off the bow of thy son, O thou of Kuru's race, as the latter struggled in fight. And Yudhishthira also pierced him deeply with ten excellent and foremost of shafts. Those arrows, however, touching the armour of Duryodhana, quickly broke into pieces. Then the Parthas, filled with delight surrounded Yudhishthira."
Basic's - With due respect ramayan's lead protagonist Raam never had to fight off a group attack of more than six warriors, but here duryodhan handled more than double that number.
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Duryodhan's later achievements.
17th afternoon.
[quote]
"When his army was thus broken, the Kuru king, O monarch, rushed against both friends and foes. Then Duryodhana challenged all the Pandavas to battle, O chief of Bharata's race, like the Asura Vali in days of yore challenging all the celestials. The Pandavas then, uniting together and filled with rage, upbraiding him repeatedly and shooting diverse weapons, rushed against the roaring Duryodhana. The latter, however, fearlessly smote his foes with shafts. The prowess that we then saw of thy son was exceedingly wonderful, since all the Pandavas together were unable to transgress him. At this time Duryodhana beheld, staying at a little distance from him, his troops, exceedingly mangled with shafts, and prepared to fly away. Rallying them then, O monarch, thy son, resolved on battle and desirous of gladdening them, addressed those warriors."
[end]
Logic - he only checked them but did not defeat any of them. After this Duryodhan went to go rally his forces. His retreat can be termed as a possible loss for him.
Most likely the other four pandavas were mild and only bhima used his full might against him cause duryodhan was his target.
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Accolades for Suyodhana.
Quote;
"Who also can encounter Duryodhana in battle except Krishna, the son of Devaki, and Kripa, the son of Saradwan? Who also can overthrow in battle Salya, that first of mighty warriors, except the hero Valadeva or Vrikodara, the son of Pandu, or the heroic Duryodhana? Let us, therefore, desist from this fight with the Brahmanas."
Note: suyodhan was considered a elite.
Possibly due to mention of krishna here this's a hint that in a former incident duryodhan had a fight with krishna where krishna defeated him, likely a incident where jarasandha invades mathura.
But it is not made clear who he was fighting in the swayamvara, only tv serial's will portray it as a bheem vs duryodhan showdown when in truth bheem only dueled shalya nobody else, so the opponent of duryodhan remained unknown.
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Kunti feared his potential.
(Quote)
"Meanwhile Kunti seeing that her sons were late in returning from their eleemosynary round, was filled with anxiety. She began to think of various evils having overtaken her sons. At one time she thought that the sons of Dhritarashtra having recognized her sons had slain them."
(End)
Logic - she knew duryodhan was capable, she feared him but she never had fear of karna or the other monarchs in the swayamvara.
14th day:
"Behold, O Dhananjaya, this Suyodhana who hath transgressed us! I regard this as highly wonderful. There is no car-warrior equal to him. His arrows are far-reaching. He is a great bowman. Accomplished as he is in weapons, it is exceedingly difficult to vanquish him in battle. The mighty son of Dhritarashtra strikes hard, and is conversant with all modes of warfare. Brought up in great luxury, he is much regarded by even the foremost of car-warriors. He is well-accomplished, and, O Partha, he always hates the Pandavas. For these reasons, O sinless one, I think, thou shouldst now fight with him. Upon him resteth, as upon a stake at dice, victory or the reverse."
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Why he is a good human being/character.
He respected elderly people;
[quote]
"Duryodhana and other heroes, attired in robes dyed in yellow, formerly used, O king, to wait reverentially, with joined hands, on those old counsellors."
[ending]
He believed in fair play.
[quote]
"How will Gandhari endure such poignant grief, after she hears her son, who always fought fairly, slain unfairly by us?"
[ending]
Note - if you remove the incident with abhimanyu (which was done out of vengeance for laxman) then Suyodhan was a fair warrior.
Even when he did group attacks against other enemies then duryodhan did not aim for dealing a killing blow which is why Bhima survived a group attack of duryodhan.
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Speech to Gavalgana's boy;
[begin]
"I have performed sacrifices, supported a large number of servants properly, governed the whole earth with her seas! I stayed on the heads of my living foes! I gave wealth to my kinsmen to the extent of my abilities, and I did what was agreeable to friends. I withstood all my foes. Who is there that is more fortunate than myself? I have made progresses through hostile kingdoms and commanded kings as slaves. I have acted handsomely towards all I loved and liked. Who is there more fortunate than myself? I honoured all my kinsmen and attended to the welfare of all my dependants. I have attended to the three ends of human existence, Religion, Profit, and Pleasure! Who is there more fortunate than myself? I laid my commands on great kings, and honour, unattainable by others, was mine, I always made my journeys on the very best of steeds. Who is there more fortunate than myself? I studied the Vedas and made gifts according to the ordinance. My life has passed in happiness. By observance of the duties of my own order, I have earned many regions of blessedness hereafter. Who is there more fortunate than myself? By good luck, I have not been vanquished in battle and subjected to the necessity of serving my foes as masters."
[end]
Logic - he lived a more honorable, better & noble life compared to bhishma, ganga, renuka, ahalya, hanuman, parshurama & karna.
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Military Career;
{quote}
"Up to this day I have never been vanquished in fair fight on the field of battle! If you vanquish me by deceit, your infamy will certainly last for ever! That act of yours will, without doubt, be unrighteous and infamous!"
{done}
Suyodhan did win wars.
"I have conquered foreign kingdoms."
Logic - these wars and battle's were off screen conflicts not described or elaborated upon by the authors (Vaisampayana, Souti and Vyasa).
Yudisthir praised him:
"All men speak of thee in assemblies as a hero."
[end]
Stamina of bhagvan Duryodhan:
[quote]
"Standing in battle like a very lion, Duryodhana had no fear, no alarm, no pain, no anxiety."
Earth trembled from the lamentation of Suyodhan.
[begin]
"Thousands of men with eyes full of tears, fled away in all directions having heard these lamentations of the king. The whole Earth, with her forests & seas with mobile & immobile creatures, began to tremble violently & produce a loud noise. All the points of the compass became murky."
[completed]
Logic - fanclub's mention alot how Ravan's cries of pain (when the fake incident of kailash parvat or shivas toe happened) shook & trembled the universe but here authentic evidence has proven that Suyodhana's mere action in a moment where he is hurt can shake the whole planet by force.
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Suyodhana's durability.
[Proof]
"Dhritarashtra's son, that foremost of heroes among the Kurus, recovering his senses, saw the son of Pritha."
Note - in virat war he was the first among arjuna's victims to recover, he got back to his senses before Guru Drona, karna, ashwathama, kripacharya etc.
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What Suyodhana did AFTER Narayan Astra failed.
[begin]
"Perceiving partha staying on the field, thy son looking at his own army running away, rallied them with great courage. Having caused his divisions to take up their stand, thy son, O Bharata, relying on the might of his arms, fought for a long time with his foes, the Pandavas, who, having gained their end, were filled with joy and had been struggling for hours together. On the approach there of the evening twilight, he caused the troops to be withdrawn."
[done]
Note - this's from the 15th afternoon or close to the fifteenth night. The quote proves after drona's death suyodhan was brave enough to challenge all his enemies.
Apsaras found Suyodhan ATTRACTIVE not karna, hanuman or parshurama.
Quote;
"Upon the commencement of that passage-at-arms, various beings, with the gods, came there accompanied by the Apsaras, for beholding those foremost of men. Filled with joy, the Apsaras began to cover those foremost of men devoted to the duties of their order, with celestial garlands, with diverse kinds of celestial perfumes, and with diverse species of gems. Soft winds bore those excellent odours to the nostrils of all the foremost of warriors. Having smelt those perfumes in consequence of the action of the wind, the warriors once more engaged in battle, and striking one another began to fall down on the Earth."
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Proof Duryodhan was considered a positive monarch.
Quote:
"The whole city, O tiger among men, including the very children, hearing of Duryodhana's death, sent forth notes of lamentation from every side."
Comment - one can say that children are ignorant/poor judges of character, but a mahabharat reader can not ignore that many adult's existed who held positive outlooks and views about Shri Duryodhan. It clearly says 'the WHOLE city' and that includes more than just widow's/orphans.
Suyodhan valued people's lives so he tried warning the human beings of madra nation from picking a fight with pandava emperor yudisther.
[begin]
Duryodhana riding upon an elephant gigantic as a hill, with an umbrella held over his head, and fanned the while with yak-tails, forbade the Madraka warriors, saying, "Do not proceed, Do not proceed!" Though repeatedly forbidden by Duryodhana, those heroes, desirous of slaying Yudhishthira, penetrated into the Pandava host. Those brave combatants, loyal to Duryodhana, twanging their bows loudly, fought with the Pandavas.
Another quote;
"Beholding, however, the heroic Pandavas, the brave warriors of thy army, O Bharata, though forbidden by thy son, still rushed against them. Duryodhana, speaking softly, sought to prevent those warriors from fighting with the foe. No great car-warrior, however, amongst them obeyed his behest."
Logic - their'd be more peace, less bloodshed, widow's and orphans if Duryodhan was the reigning monarch of our planet Earth.
Suyodhan's talent;
"Duryodhana stayeth in the midst of his cavalry, with the umbrella held over his head and himself flinging his glances all around! Having rearrayed the (remnant of his) army, he stayeth in the midst of his forces."
Point - he knew how organizing a army is done right, he arranged the final vyuha.
Duryodhan killed a fraction of the pandav army.
[Quote]
"Having slain a large number of thy troops in battle, the son of Dhritarashtra wears a proud aspect as if he believes that the Pandavas have been vanquished!"
Logic - one fraction of their army was bigger than double the number of homicides that Parshurama was involved in.
Cross-reference for his achievement;
"The forces of the Pandavas also, O Duryodhana, have all been slain by thee!"
Last segment of post:
Unknown secret's of Shri Suyodhana's family.
He had 2 son's or more than that.
Quote 1: "Wait, ye Pandavas! Like the sun destroying by his energy the light of all stars at dawn, I shall today, though weaponless and carless, destroy all of you possessed of cars and steeds! Today I shall free myself from the debt I owe to the many illustrious Kshatriyas (that have fallen for me), to Bahlika, the heroic Jayadratha and Bhagadatta, to Shalya the ruler of the Madras and Bhurishrava, to my sons." https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09032.htm
Quote 2: "Duryodhana, with his sons, brothers and kinsmen, was much to be pitied inasmuch as, moved by wrath, he made war with Hari and the wielder of Gandiva." https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b113.htm
Quote 3; "I tell thee truly and swear by the good acts I have performed, by the prowess I possess and by my sons, that slaying all the Panchalas with the Pandavas, I shall obtain peace of mind, or slain by them in battle I shall repair to those regions whither those allies of mine have gone."
Quote 4; "After having caused and witnessed the slaughter of thy sons and brothers and sires and relatives and friends and maternal uncles and kinsmen?"
Quote 5; "Having caused friends such as I had to be slain and even sons and brothers and sires, and seeing my kingdom wrested by you." https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09031.htm
Quote 6: "Today I shall free myself from the debt I owe to the many illustrious Kshatriyas and to my sons, O chief of Bharata's race." https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09032.htm
Quote 7; "Thy heroic brothers, as also thy sons, with all thy troops, have been slain! Other kings also, possessed of heroism, and never retreating from battle, have been slain." https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09033.htm
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Proof Duryodhan had more than 1 wife (so he was not a monogamist).
Quote 1: "O Karna, proceeding to the city of Kasi, alone with thy bow, thou hadst crushed the kings in battle for procuring a bride for the Kuru king!"
Basic's - this's one that can be considered shameful because this female was a long distant cousin of his own.
Quote 2:
"Duryodhana, however, of Kuru's race, could not tolerate that rejection of himself. Disregarding all the kings, he commanded the maiden to stop."
.png)
{begin} "I will not go near Duryodhana; or how, siding with the Pāṇḍavas, shall I slay king Duryodhana, my royal son-in-law and disciple? Therefore I will go neither to Arjuna nor to king Duryodhana."{end}
Logic - its entirely a possibility that balram gave away his daughter to suyodhan after being thrashed by him cause balram was a very weak warrior according to sanatan dharma.
Cross references indicating he had at minimum 2 wives.
1st: "O, why also hath Suyodhana with his wives been thus punished?"
2nd; "Here is king Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, who with his younger brothers and friends and wives is being led away a captive by the Gandharvas along the sky. Blest be ye. Liberate the king along with the women of the royal household!" https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03246.htm
3rd; "Then the protectors of the ladies, placing the wives of the king, as also those of his brothers, on vehicles, fled away in fear." https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09029.htm
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