‘It’s just not fair...’ Dur would complain to Karna. ‘My father is always fussing over Bhima and Arjuna, as though they were his own children and I wasn’t! And Vidura hates me! He’s always talking to Yudhi. He never talks to me, but he’s just as much my uncle.’
There was some truth to this. Bhima was certainly a favourite of King Dhrita’s, and Vidura apparently held no liking for Dur. Although his father was in good health, and would probably remain king for many years to come, Dur was already beginning to fear the prospect of Yudhi ascending to the throne; when royal elevation might license the prowess of the Pandava princes to even keener persecution of the Kurus. With Bhima’s strength and Arjuna’s unrivalled skill the Pandavas would be unstoppable; a fact which they took every opportun
