Balarama the elder brother of Krishna was an excellent wielder of the mace.He was also the tutor of both Bhima and Duryodhana.However,his favourite of the two was Duryodhana.Also Arjuna on completion of his training received advice from Drona and was also told that even though he was the greatest archer,his cousin Krishna was even better.Drona advised Arjuna to befriend Krishna.

Even though Dhritrashtra was the King,Pandu was the one who actually did all the ground work.It was he who conquered other territories and he was the one who had public support.Pandu was the one who had earned the love and appreciation of the masses.

This made the Pandavas very popular amongst the general public and since Yudhishtira was the eldest amongst the princes,he was the most favoured to become the successor to the King.The Kauravas however, disliked the Pandavas.

Yudhishtira was appointed as the crowned Prince and everyone was happy except the Kauravas.When Duryodhana heard that,he hurried to his father to find out why that was done.

He reminded his father that he Duryodhana ,was the son of the King and as such he has a claim to the throne and not Yudhishtira.Dhritarashtra the blind king told him that Yudhishtira was a favourite amongst the people and had tremendous support from Bhishma,Vidura and even Drona acharya.

Then Duryodhana came up with a scheme .He asked his father to send Yudhishtira and his brothers away for a year and appoint him as the prince.During that year he will try to win the people's confidence and when Yudhishtira returns,he can be appointed as the official prince again.

Dhritarashtra agreed to this plan of Duryodhana.In the meantime, Duryodhana hurried of to Shakuni his wicked maternal uncle,to devise another plan.

Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.

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