This is one of the classic examples of how false narratives are built. This incidence often quoted to justify the War, though a ridiculous and absurd justification even if it were true, to disrobe, cheat, rob you of the kingdom just because your sister in law passed a snide remark, never really happened. The Vyas Mahabharata mentions that when Duryodhana visits Indraprasth he falls while mistaking a solid surface for waters. The four Pandava brothers laugh (they say nothing) but Yudhishthira remains silent. Draupadi is nowhere even in the scene. So much for the facts.
This narrative came up following a similar dialogue in Dharmveer Bharati’s fiction, Andhayug. Later it was further popularized by BR Chopra in the teleserial and people started believing it to be true.
The war was clearly and squarely due to Dhritrashtra’s blind attachment to his children, Duryodhana’s extreme ambition and jealousy, Karna’s misplaced sense of virtue, Bheesma’s attachment to his vow placing it above dharma, and Dronacharya’s hankering after wealth, status and power.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
