Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2844

c7.2844

(1) Carried off Duryodhana. While the Pāṇḍavas were living in exile in the forest, Duryodhana and others went in a procession to the forest. Though Duryodhana was taken into captivity in the forest by a Gandharva, Arjuna saved him out of fraternal consideration for him. Duryodhana returned to Hastināpura. Now the question was whether half of the kingdom should be given to the Pāṇḍavas or not. Śakuni and others advised Duryodhana to give it, but the latter remained adamant against it. Dhṛtarāṣṭra decided to end his life and for the purpose spread darbha grass on earth and sat thereon. The Asuras heard about these developments and created a Kṛtyā by mantras. The Kṛtyā took Duryodhana to Pātāla where the Asuras advised him against any compromise with the Pāṇḍavas. On the other hand they wanted him to intensify his hatred against the Pāṇḍavas, and they assured him all support. After that Kṛtyā took Duryodhana back to Hastināpura. (Vana Parva, Chapter 252).