Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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Rishi Vaishampayana narrated the prosperity of
Kuru Dynasty after the birth of Drutharashtra, Pandu and Vidura to Ambika,
Ambalika and a maid servant respectively. The Kingdom of
Hasthinapur flourished with rich natural resources and its people led a happy
and peaceful life. The people of Hasthinapur were righteous and skilled
in their work. Drushtharashtra, Pandu and Vidura was brought up by
Bhishma, they were introduced to the knowledge in Veda Sastra Puranas, Astra
and Sastra etc.. The three of them were gained remarkable knowledge in
all the fields. Drutharashtra attained astounding physical strength,
Pandu gained extraordinary skill in war tactics and Vidura outshined in Dharma
Sastra. The whole Kingdom praised the good fortune of the daughters of
King of Kasi, they shone as the privileged mothers of ideal children.
Bhishma Pitamaha narrates to Vidura about the
glorious return of Kuru Dynasty and the three maidens who are flawlessly
suitable for Drutharashtra and Pandu, would add fame to the Kurus was Kunthi
daughter of Shoorasena of Yadhava Dynasty and adopted daughter of King
Kunthiboj, Gandhari daughter of King Subhala of Kingdom Gandhar and Madri, the
princes of Mathura/Madhra. Further Bhishma enquires Vidura’s
opinion about the above thought. Vidura reverentially answered that it
was Bhishma Pitamaha ought to have the right to make a decision about the
well-being of Kurus as a father, mother and an Acharya.
Drutharashtra and Pandu has grown into competent
charming adults attained the age to pronounce them as the King of
Hasthinapur. Bhishma heard from Brahmins about the amazing virtues
Gandhari, the princess of Gandhar and the boon received from Lord Shiva to have
hundred children from her husband. Bhishma was highly pleased at
Gandhari’s devotion and dedication to Lord Shiva and thereby the remarkable boon
she had achieved. Bhishma approached King Subhala and revealed his
purpose of visit to choose Gandhari as a bride to Drutharashtra. King
Subhala was traumatized at the suggestion of Bhishma, he was not enthusiastic
about the proposal or sends his daughter married off to a blind prince.
Later, King Subhala had to agree with the terms of Bhishma, enmity towards
Hasthinapur would never do good to Gandhar, after a series of thought about the
fame of Hasthinapur and the status of Drutharashtra he reluctantly decided to
give away his daughter’s hand to Drutharashtra. Shakuni, brother of
Gandhari was not at all happy about the proposal of marriage; he held his
parents responsible for Gandhari’s misery. He sincerely wanted to put an
end to his dearest sister’s marriage to a blind prince. Gandhari,
the gorgeous princes of Gandhar was happened to hear about her parent’s choice
of bridegroom, she was hysterical; shortly she decided to follow her fate and
revealed her acceptance by tying her eyes forever. Gandhari sincerely
decided to have the experiences and agonies of a blind; she was always had
utmost reverence and love for her husband.
Gandhari was brought to the Kingdom of
Hasthinapur with all honors and the marriage to Drutharashtra was performed
according to the rules prescribed in the scriptures. Initially, the
appearance of Gandhari created a huge chaos in the assembly, it was
Drutharashtra dreamed for a wife who would be capable to remove the weakness of
his blindness, and he strictly opposed the very idea of Gandhari to tie her
eyes and refused to marry her. Gandhari earnestly prayed to the respected
elders and the enlightened people assembled about her decision to tie her eyes
to remain a chaste wife of Drutharashtra, requested for an opportunity to provide
hundred children to Kuru Dynasty. Drutharashtra had the dislike against
the promise of Gandhari to remain blind forever; he denied accepting her as his
wife and Gandhari was discarded from the life of her husband for several years,
it was Gandhari’s will to live her married life as a couple equally grieved of
their blindness. Shakuni the elder brother of Gandhari refused to return
Gandhar after witnessing the pathetic plight of his dearest sister and has
chosen Hasthinapur as his place of residence. Later, it was created a
huge turmoil in the relationship of Kurus, gradually he injected venom in the
heart of Drutharashtra against his brother Pandu and his family, Shakuni took
ultimate control over the life of his nieces, brought up them with all wickedness,
the same way he had manipulated Drutharashtra and it resulted in the great war
of Kurushetra.
Finally, the auspicious moment has arrived for
the coronation of Drutharashtra as the King of Hasthinapur, the moment he was
desired all his life. The decision has been made, Pandu was elected as
the chief of the Army of Hasthinapur and Vidura as the Chief of Assembly.
Vidura who has the ultimate wisdom of Dharma Sastra stated publicly in the
Assembly that a blind person cannot be crowned as the king, hence Pandu was
chosen for coronation as the King of Hasthinapur. This pronouncement was
exasperated Drutharashtra, he was deeply hurt, it was the same for Shakuni who
was desired her sister to be declared as the Empress of Hasthinapur. The
very moment Shakuni promised to himself to take away the peace of Kurus and
bring fairness in the life of his sister. Pandu had lots of affection and
respect towards his elder brother Drutharashtra, in order to save Hasthinapur
from the hands of enemies, he unenthusiastically agreed for the coronation
ceremony. This incident has created an enormous rupture in the
relationship between the two brothers, Pandu and Drutharashtra. On
the other side Shakuni tactfully utilized the above circumstances to instigate
enmity between Pandu and Drutharashtra by pouring ghee into the fire.
Once again a big question raised before
Sathyavati and Bhishma that who will be the suitable bride for Pandu?
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
