In the epic of Mahabharat, Dushasana was the second son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra. He was also the younger brother of Duryodhana. The literal meaning of Dushasana has derived from two Sanskrit words namely, `Duh` which means tough and `Shasan` which means to control. He was truly devoted to his elder brother Duryodhana. He was equally involved in plotting plans for destroying Pandavas.

According to the myths, the birth of Dushasana and other Kauravas was unique. Once Vyasa blessed Gandhari that she shall give birth to hundred children. When Gandhari became pregnant, her pregnancy continued for an unusually long period of time, she would beat her womb in frustration and would envy Kunti, the queen of Pandu, who had given birth to three of the five Pandavas.

Due to her actions, a hardened mass of flesh emerged from her womb. Gandhari was devastated, and worshipped Vyasa to help her out of this problem.

Vyasa then divided the flesh ball into one hundred equal pieces, and put them in pots of ghee, which were sealed and buried into the earth for one year. At the end of the year, the first pot was opened from which Duryodhana emerged followed by Dushasana.

When Yudhisthir lost his Kingdom, brothers, and eventually himself to the Kauravas in the dice game played against Shakuni- Dushasana`s uncle, Yudhisthir placed his wife Draupadi at stake. When he lost her too in the game, Dushasana was told to bring Draupadi to the forum.

Dushasana barged into the living quarters of Pandavas and pulled Draupadi by her hair and dragged her to the forum.

Now that the Pandavas had become the slaves of Kauravas, as a mark of slavery the Pandavas were ordered to strip their upper garments. The Pandavas as per their pledge obeyed the orders of the Kauravas. To add to their insult, Dushasana tried to strip Draupadi`s sari only to be intervened by Lord Krishna who saved her modesty.

As Dushasana pulled Draupadi by her hair and humiliated her, Draupadi took a vow that she would not tie her hair till the day she washes it with Dushasana`s blood. Bhima also pledged to tear open Dushasana`s body and drink his blood.

In the Kurukshetra battle, Bhima tore apart Dushasana`s arm and drank his blood thus fulfilling the vow that he had taken during the Cheer-Haran of Draupadi. Bhima also enabled Draupadi to fulfill her vow. Dushasana`s death greatly agitated Karna and Duryodhana, and demoralized the Kaurava Army.