King Pandu: The Father of the Pandavas
About the Character
King Pandu was the biological son of Maharshi Vedavyas and Queen Ambalika. He was the blind Dhritarashtra's younger half-brother. Due to Dhritarashtra's blindness, Pandu was given the throne of Hastinapur. Pandu had two wives: Kunti and Madri. Pandu's children became known as the Pandavas.
King Pandu's Tragic Curse: The Rishi's Revenge
One day, King Pandu was hunting in a forest and saw a deer and a doe copulating. Without thinking, he shot an arrow at the two. The deer and the doe were actually Rishi Kindam and his wife, respectively. The two animals were gravely wounded and transformed into their respective human forms. The dying Rishi Kindam said, "Oh king, you have committed a terrible crime by shooting two animals that were copulating. I, Rishi Kindam, hereby curse you that you will die the next time you make love to your wife." The rishi and his wife then passed away.
Devotion in Exile: The Loyalty of Kunti and Madri
King Pandu narrated this incident to his wives, Kunti and Madri. He felt his life was no longer worth living and advised them to return to the kingdom of Hastinapur without him. But Kunti and Madri refused to leave him and decided to stay in the forest with him.
The Revelation of Kunti's Secret: A Path to Heirs
"A childless man cannot attain heaven," lamented King Pandu to his wives. "I want to have children with the two of you, but I can't due to Rishi Kindam's curse."
Kunti had never told anyone about the mantra she had learned from Rishi Durvasa. She decided it was time to tell Pandu.
The Prophesied Heroes: The Miraculous Births of Yudhishthir, Bheem, and Arjun
Kunti summoned Yamaraj, the god of justice, and became pregnant with a child she would later name Yudhishthir. At Yudhishthir's birth, a voice from the sky prophesied, "This child will be virtuous and rule Earth. He will never tell a lie."
She then summoned the Wind god and became pregnant with Bheem. When Bheem was born, a voice from the sky proclaimed, "This child will be strong as the wind."
She finally summoned Indra, the king of the gods, and became pregnant with Arjun. When Arjun was born, a voice from the sky foretold, "This child will be like Indra, the king of the gods. He will be undefeatable in battle and will destroy all his enemies."
Madri's Blessing: The Birth of Nakul and Sahadev
Madri also wanted to have children, so Kunti taught her Rishi Durvasa's mantra. Madri then summoned the twin gods of medicine, the Ashwini Kumars. She gave birth to twins Nakul and Sahadev.
The Fulfillment of the Curse: King Pandu's Tragic Demise
King Pandu was thrilled to have five divine children. One day, King Pandu saw his younger wife, Madri, scantily clad. He was consumed by lust and foolishly began making love to her. Rishi Kindam's curse came to fruition, and he dropped dead in Madri's arms.