पाण्डु
The Story of Pandu in the Mahabharata
Pandu, a key figure in the Mahabharata, was born to Ambalika, the Kashi princess, and Vyasa. He was officially recognized as the son of Ambalika’s husband, Vichitravirya, despite the fact that Vichitravirya had died childless. His pale complexion at birth resulted from Ambalika turning pale with fright during conception. Due to his elder brother Dhritarashtra being born blind, Pandu was crowned as the king of Hastinapura and ruled effectively.
Marriage and the Curse
Pandu married Kunti, also known as Pritha, the adopted daughter of Kuntibhoja. He later took a second wife, Madri, the sister of Salya, strengthening political ties.
However, Pandu’s life took a tragic turn when he accidentally killed a sage and his wife, who had taken the form of deer while they were mating. The sage cursed Pandu, decreeing that he would die if he ever indulged in sexual activity. Stricken with this curse and unable to father children, Pandu renounced his throne and retreated to the forest to live the life of an ascetic, handing over the kingdom to his elder brother, Dhritarashtra.
Children Through Divine Blessings
Pandu’s concern over having no heirs led to an unusual solution. According to ancient Hindu beliefs, a man without children could not attain heaven. Remembering a boon granted to her by the sage Durvasa, Kunti had the ability to summon gods and bear children by them. With Pandu’s consent, Kunti invoked various deities to have sons. She had Yudhishthira by Yama (the god of dharma), Bhima by Vayu (the wind god), and Arjuna by Indra (the king of gods). She also shared this boon with Madri, who gave birth to the twins Nakula and Sahadeva through the Ashwini twins (the divine physicians).
The Tragic End
Though Pandu had embraced an ascetic life, one day his desire for Madri overwhelmed him. Ignoring her warnings about the curse, he consummated their relationship and immediately succumbed to the curse. Pandu died on the spot. Grief-stricken, Madri chose to immolate herself on Pandu’s funeral pyre, leaving Kunti to raise the five children alone, who would later become the Pandavas, central figures in the epic.
Parallels in Indian Mythology Pandu’s story is steeped in themes common in Indian mythology, such as the importance of dharma (duty) and the consequences of curses. His fate can be compared to other figures who are similarly bound by divine curses, like King Harishchandra or Karna, all of whom face significant challenges due to past actions. Pandu’s life serves as a reminder of the often inescapable nature of karma and fate within Hindu belief.