Yudisthira Vs. Duryodhana- Who had the praja's support and trust?
A popular and very wrong notion is that the citizens and common folk had no problems with Duryodhana and in fact, they believed he was a good king. This completely false notion is used as a justification for why Duryodhana deserved to rule in place of Yudishtira. However, the Vyasa Bharatha makes it every clear that the common folk, be it in Hastinapur or outside, had no good opinion about Duryodhana and they definitely did not wish for the Kaurava prince to rule them.
Here are some excerpts from various parts of the Mahabharatha indicating what the praja felt and said about Yudishtira and the Pandavas as rulers vs Duryodhana as king.
Transl: Where this king (Yudishtira) whose glory illuminates 10 directions takes charge, from cowherds to brahmanas, all citizens love him like they would their own parents. (Sabha parva- Rajasuya aarambha parva)
After Draupadi swayamvara: (Adi parva- Viduragamana rajyalabhaparva)
Transl: Shakuni says: If Vrishnis and Chedis arrive here (Hastinapura) and the citizens here too take up arms in rebellion against us (and for Pandavas), we will find ourselves in trouble.
Transl: Vidura says: Citizens are eager to see Pandavas after hearing that they are alive.
When Pandavas return post Lakshagruh and Draupadi swayamvar to Hastinapura:
Transl: Citizens said- That best among men, Yudishtira, who looks after us like he does his sons, is returning.
It appears as if beloved Maharaj Pandu has returned.
If Kunti’s brave sons return to the city, all our desires will be fulfilled.
If we have carried out daana and homa, by that merit, let the pandavas stay here for a 100 years.
Transl: His (Yudishtira) behaviour was such that the entire world loved him like a son loves his father. No one hated Yudishtira and hence he was called Ajatashatru. (Sabha parva- Rajasuya parva)
The prosperity of Indraprastha under Yudishtira’s rule
Transl: Owing to appropriate and correct taxes, the kingdom got rains on time and in measure. In this way, Yudishtira’s kingdom prospered.
Protection of cattle, farming, business- all flourished. In particular, because of the king’s correct provisions and actions, everything was being done in the best way. (Sabha parva- Rajasuya parva)
Post Dyuta, when the citizens came to know Pandavas had been exiled
Transl: The city dwellers were terribly sad and they lamented loudly- “Our masters, the pandavas are going away! See the childsh behaviour of the Kuru elders. Fie on them! Provoked by greed, these Kauravas have exiled Pandu’s sons. We shall be orphaned without the Pandavas. How can we love the greedy and stubborn Kauravas?’
Transl: Our clan and our homes and amilies are no more safe. The sinner Duryodhana, nourished by Shakuni, with the approval of karna and Dushasana, wishes to rule this land.
Where, with the help of sinners, a sinner wishes to rule, there our kula, achaara, dharma, artha cannot exist. How then can happpiness/ prosperity exist there?
People of Kurujangala lament to Yudisthira, beginning of exile, in the forest:
Transl: Fie on cruel Duryodhana! Fie on Subala’s son Shakuni and Karna, the one who harbours sinful thoughts, the sinners who wished to deal such unfairness to you who follow dharma.
Where is Yudisthira, who established the Kailasa-like Indraprastha, go now leaving his kingdom?