King Vicitravirya’s Three Representative Sons

Despite this episode, Ambika and Ambalika married Vicitravirya and enjoyed a blissful marriage. However, their marital bliss remained short and Vicitravirya had an early death. More issues came up than before, as Hastinapura is without a king, and Vicitravirya did not leave any progeny behind. As Hastinapura was in this great political dilemma, Bhisma could not become king or impregnate his late brother’s wives. So, Satyavati summoned her distant son, Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva was the spiritualized son of Satyavati and Parasara. Vyasadeva, in actuality is the literary form of Krsna. Since Vyasadeva was the son of Satyavati, this would make Vyasadeva and Vicitravirya as half-brothers. In ancient Vedic injunctions, if a man is unable to impregnate his wife, then his older brother would have the right to impregnate his wife. Of course, this practice is considered unacceptable in Kali Yuga. Satyavati requested Vyasadeva to impregnate the wives of Vicitravirya. Vyasadeva humbly requested that her request wait, as he was in a hideous form. Satyavati insisted on completing this task. Vyasadeva carried out his mother’s order, reluctantly.

Ambika was sent to Vyasadeva first. She was immensely frightened by his hideous form that she closed her eyes. Ambalika was sent next to Vyasadeva, and she was so frightened that her body became very pale and she was felt very ill. Ambika was requested to go to Vyasadeva again, but in fear of being put through her torturous experience again, she sent her maid. Her maid was very humble to Vyasadeva and this purpose.

Due to the reactions of the princesses, Ambika (who closed her eyes) will bear a child who is blind. Ambalika (who became ill and pale) will have an unhealthy child. Ambika’s maid (who was humble to Vyasadeva) will be an intelligent child. It was ironic that the two children of the princesses were physically impaired, while the knowledgeable and wise one would be born to a maid. The children were born in due time and were trained by Bhisma, the fields of arts, military science and warfare, political sciences, ethics, philosophy, and royal dharma. The eldest child, the son of Ambika, was Dhrtarastra. As predicted, he was born blind. Ambalika’s son, Pandu, was unusually pale looking. Ambika’s maid, Vidura, was a very humble and learned person. Even though he was the son of a maid, he was never reminded of that fact due to the love of his two older brothers. Even though it was truly the mercy of Vyasadeva that these three were born, they are accepted as the sons of Vicitravirya.

It was time to discuss the new ruler of Hastinapura. Per tradition, the oldest child would be the new king of Hastinapura. As Dhrtarastra was about to be nominated as the new king of Hastinpura, Vidura objected to this, as Vidura pointed out that a king who cannot take care of himself cannot rule the nation properly. Dhrtarastra’s disability prevented him from ascending the throne. Therefore, Pandu was the only acceptable ruler who was able to rule Hastinapura. Bhisma, Satyavati, and family priest, Krpacarya, accepted Pandu to be the new king of Hastinpura. While his coronation ceremony and celebration was filled joy, Dhrtarastra’s heart was filled with upset and feelings of anger, due to this injustice.