The Story of Pandu: A Detailed Expansion
When Pandu came of age, he was crowned the king of the Kuru dynasty and ruled from the capital city of Hastinapura. His rule was destined to be intertwined with both glory and tragedy, marked by significant connections with other kingdoms and sage prophecies. One of the notable alliances was formed through his marriage to Kunti, the daughter of Soora, a chieftain of the Yadava clan. Soora, recognizing his cousin Kunti Bhoja’s childlessness, gave his eldest daughter Prita (later known as Kunti) to Kunti Bhoja for adoption. Kunti became Pandu’s first wife, while Madri, the sister of King Salya of the Madra Kingdom, became his second wife.
Dhritharashtra, Pandu’s elder brother, was married to Gandhari, the princess of Gandhara. In an extraordinary act of devotion to her husband, Gandhari chose to blindfold herself permanently upon learning of Dhritharashtra’s blindness, symbolically sharing in his condition. Along with Gandhari, ten of her younger sisters were also married to Dhritharashtra—a common practice in those times to ensure a strong familial bond.
The Curse of Sage Kindama
Pandu’s rule was interrupted by a tragic mistake during a hunting expedition. While hunting in the forest, he unknowingly shot a stag while it was mating. Unbeknownst to him, the stag was actually Sage Kindama in disguise, who, along with his wife, had taken animal form to enjoy earthly pleasures without societal inhibition. With his dying breath, the sage cursed Pandu, declaring that Pandu would die the instant he approached any woman with amorous intent. This curse marked the beginning of Pandu’s retreat from kingship and his subsequent life in the forest.
Pandu, grief-stricken and bound by the curse, informed Bhishma of his decision to live as a hermit, renouncing worldly pleasures. With Bhishma’s consent, Pandu, along with his wives and trusted courtiers, withdrew to the forest. Dhritharashtra was then crowned king of Hastinapura in Pandu’s place.
The Desire for Children and Sage Durvasa’s Boon
As Pandu settled into a hermit’s life, he became increasingly concerned about his lack of offspring. During his forest wanderings, Pandu conversed with sages, learning that a man without children could not aspire to reach heaven. Saddened by the thought of leaving no progeny, he discussed the matter with Kunti, urging her to find a way to bear children despite the curse.
At this moment, Kunti revealed a secret from her past. When she was a young girl in the palace of her adoptive father, Kunti Bhoja, the fierce-tempered sage Durvasa visited them. Kunti attended to him with such devotion that when he left, he granted her a powerful boon—a Mantra (incantation) that could summon any deity, and through that deity, she would bear a child.
Kunti’s Children
Kunti admitted to having tested the boon as a young girl by invoking Surya, the sun god, resulting in the birth of a radiant child, Karna, clad in divine armor and earrings. However, fearing societal judgment, Kunti had set Karna adrift in a casket, a decision that haunted her deeply. Now, in the forest, with Pandu’s encouragement, Kunti was ready to use the mantra again.
At Pandu’s request, Kunti first invoked Yama, the god of justice, and bore Yudhishtra, the eldest Pandava, destined to become the king. A year later, Pandu requested another child, and this time, Kunti invoked Vayu, the god of wind, giving birth to the mighty Bheema.
The Birth of Duryodhana and the Kauravas
Meanwhile, back in Hastinapura, Gandhari remained childless, which caused her great distress. She prayed to the sage Vyasa, who blessed her with the boon of having 100 sons. However, her pregnancy was unusually prolonged, lasting nearly two years. When news of Yudhishtra’s birth reached her, Gandhari, in a fit of frustration, struck her abdomen, causing a large lump of flesh to be born. Sage Vyasa intervened, dividing the lump into 100 pieces, each placed in a pot. From these pots, the Kauravas were born, led by Duryodhana. Ominously, Duryodhana’s birth was accompanied by dark omens—jackals howled, and the skies filled with eerie signs. These ill portents led astrologers to warn Dhritharashtra that Duryodhana would bring about the destruction of the Kuru dynasty. Despite the warnings, Dhritharashtra refused to sacrifice his son.
The Birth of Arjuna and the Twins
Pandu, still desiring more children, asked Kunti to use the boon once again. This time, she invoked Indra, king of the gods, resulting in the birth of Arjuna, destined to be a peerless warrior. Finally, Kunti shared the mantra with Madri, allowing her to invoke the Ashwini twins, resulting in the birth of Nakula and Sahadeva.
Pandu’s Death and Madri’s Sacrifice
One fateful spring day, the beauty of the forest intoxicated Pandu’s senses, and he momentarily forgot the sage’s curse. Overcome by desire, he approached Madri, but as soon as he touched her, the curse took effect, and Pandu died instantly. Madri, filled with guilt and grief, decided to commit Suttee (self-immolation) by joining her husband on the funeral pyre, leaving her sons in the care of Kunti.
The Pandavas in Hastinapura
Following Pandu’s death, Kunti, accompanied by the five Pandavas, returned to Hastinapura under the advice of the forest sages. They were warmly welcomed by their relatives, and Vidura, in particular, was deeply impressed by the noble qualities of the Pandava princes.
However, the seeds of jealousy were already taking root in Duryodhana, who viewed the Pandavas as rivals for the throne. Sage Vyasa foresaw the impending conflict between the cousins and warned his mother Satyavati, advising her to retire to the forest to avoid witnessing the coming strife. Satyavati, along with her daughters-in-law, heeded Vyasa’s advice and withdrew from the palace, marking the end of an era in Hastinapura.
This tale is a significant prelude to the events of the Mahabharata, intertwining themes of fate, divine intervention, and human frailty. It also connects to broader stories in Indian mythology, including the births of Karna and the Pandavas, the curse of Sage Kindama, and the ominous prophecies surrounding Duryodhana. The recurring motif of curses, divine boons, and the inevitable unfolding of destiny underscores the complexity of the Mahabharata’s narrative.