On the 18th day of the Mahabharata war, when the Kaurava army was nearly wiped out, Duryodhana was left alone. He hid in a lake. The Pandavas found him. Bhima challenged him to a mace fight. Bhima struck Duryodhana's thighs. Duryodhana fell to the ground, mortally wounded, and died. Afterward, it is said that the gods showered flowers on him. But the question arises: did the gods shower flowers on Duryodhana, who had been a lifelong oppressor?

Duryodhana lay dying on the banks of the lake, though he was still conscious. After losing the mace duel to Bhima and having both his thighs broken, he spoke to the Pandavas in such a way that, in the presence of Krishna, the gods showered flowers on him from the sky. After losing the battle, Bhima challenged Duryodhana, who was hiding in the lake, to a mace duel, and he emerged. Bhima fought him fiercely. Finally, at the behest of Shri Krishna, Bhima attacked Duryodhana's thighs, which was against the rules of mace fighting. Both of Duryodhana's thighs were broken. He fell to the ground, badly injured.

Conversation between Duryodhana and Krishna at the time of Duryodhana's death
At the time of his death, Krishna told him, he lost the war. That is why he lost all his brothers and his kingdom. Because of his mistakes and sins. He was greedy. He did bad things and that is why he is suffering the consequences.

Then Duryodhana said, "I ruled the earth by giving alms. I fought my enemies bravely. I enjoyed a rare kingdom worthy of the gods. I acquired all the riches. Who is there like me? Krishna, listen to this: I will take all my relatives and brothers to heaven. Your vows remained unfulfilled."

...and flowers were showered on Duryodhana from the sky.
As soon as Duryodhana said this, the gods showered flowers on him from the sky. Apsaras and Gandharvas started singing songs. Siddhas called him a saint. Seeing Duryodhana honored like this, even Krishna and the Pandavas were embarrassed. Then Krishna had to tell the Pandavas that if I use wrong methods in the war, because you people cannot win in the right war. For your benefit, when the enemies became more powerful, I used many tricks and killed them.

Why did the gods shower flowers on Duryodhana?

This incident appears surprising and counterintuitive at first glance, as Duryodhana is considered a symbol of injustice and cruelty. The Mahabharata portrays Duryodhana as an ambitious, arrogant, and jealous character whose hostility toward the Pandavas, especially Bhima and Draupadi, led to the Kurukshetra War. By deceiving the Pandavas in a game of dice and insulting Draupadi, he became a symbol of injustice.

Nevertheless, Duryodhana had some positive qualities in his character, such as his bravery, loyalty to his friend Karna, and unparalleled skill in mace fighting. Duryodhana followed his Kshatriya Dharma to the end. He fulfilled his duty to the end. He died a valiant warrior. In Hinduism, the death of a valiant warrior is honored. The gods showering him with flowers can be seen as a tribute to Duryodhana's bravery. After this, it is said that Duryodhana was granted a place in heaven with his brothers.

PC: News18 Hindi