Marriages of Dhrtarastra and Pandu

Satyavati suggested that it was time Dhrtarastra and Pandu search other kingdoms in search for their wives. Bhisma felt that the princess of the kingdom of Gandhara (now, known as Afghanistan), Gandhari, was the ideal match for the elder son, Dhrtarastra. Bhisma went over to Gandhara to meet with King Subala, the king of Gandhara. King Subala warmly welcomed Bhisma to Gandhara. Bhisma gave the proposal of marriage for Gandhari with Dhrtarastra. Everyone was shocked and insulted as this marriage proposal was with a man who was blind. Subala’s son, Sakuni, was deeply offended by this proposal. While everyone rejected, Gandhari accepted this proposal to marry Dhrtarastra. She heard of his glories that she became enamored of him. She immediately took a piece of clothes and covered her eyes so she may remain blind and share the lifestyle with her new husband. While everyone was happy in celebrating this wedding, Sakuni was angry and upset to see the potential suffering of his sister. He vowed to never forgive the entire Kuru Dynasty and tried to find a way to destroy the dynasty.

After Dhrtarastra’s wedding, eyes were on Pandu, as the citizens and the Kuru family, were awaiting for a new queen of Hastinapura. Bhisma suggested that Pandu attend the wedding ceremony of the princess of King Kuntibhoja, Kunti. Kunti, who was originally named Prtha, was a descendant of the cobra dynasty. She was brought up in the Vrsni dynasty, the same dynasty where Lord Krsna was soon to take appearance. She was adopted by King Kuntibhoja was renamed Kunti. She was a very virtuous and intelligent princess, as well as very beautiful. King Pandu went to the marriage ceremony. Kunti selected Pandu to be her husband and their marriage ceremony was celebrated from Kuntibhoja’s kingdom to Hastinapura. On their wedding night, Pandu went off to a victory conquest in order to conquer neighboring lands and extend the borders his kingdom. He returned successfully after extending his borders. While he was returning, he was encountered by the King of Madra (nearby Sialkot, Pakistan), Salya. Salya extended his hand in friendship with Pandu. Pandu accepted the friendship with King Salya. Salya, as a token of his friendship, offered his sister, Madri to Pandu, to be his wife. As Kunti was somewhat upset initially, Pandu had to take great care in introducing his new wife. Kunti and Madri got along very quickly and King Pandu was happy. King Pandu was a very just ruler and his citizens were very happy. Everyone in their kingdom was happy except for two people, Dhrtarastra and Sakuni.

During the rule of King Pandu, the citizens and his ministers suggested that he take a vacation, due to his hard work and successes brought upon Hastinapura. Pandu accepted the vacation offer with his two wives. Before his leaving, he declared Dhrtarastra as the substitute ruler. Dhrtarastra, even though he knew he was not the real king, felt very happy being able to wear the king’s crown and being called the king. His wise and intelligent wife, Gandhari, warned him not to be too attached to the crown, as this is really Pandu’s.

Pandu, Kunti, and Madri stayed in the cottage in the forest on the outskirts of Hastinapura. They served nearby brahmana Kindam Muni and his wife. They had imbibed knowledge from the rsi and his wife. They were given many blessings to be blessed with virtuous children. Ironically, they were blessing Pandu, Kunti, and Madri with such a blessing, even though Kindam Muni and his wife are childless. In order to fulfill their duty on earth as parents, they had to disguise themselves as deer to remain anonymous in their intercourse. Pandu heard some strange animal in the forest. As his ksatriya sporty nature, he decided to hunt it. Without actually seeing the animal and relying only on the sound, he shot a very powerful arrow. This arrow pierced both deer, who were really Kindam Muni and his wife. Unable to fulfill their final duty to produce progeny on earth made Kindam Muni very angry that he cursed Pandu that the moment he begins to embrace his wife, he will die. Kindam Muni and his wife both died after cursing Pandu. Pandu, being depressed about his sinful act, informed his wives. They returned to Hastinapura and informed the public of this decision. While everyone agreed that Pandu’s act, itself, was a sinful one, Bhisma encouraged everyone that Pandu should be applauded that as he was a king, he respected the law and admitted this to everyone. Pandu and his wives decided to see repentance by retiring from the royal duties. He declared Dhrtarastra as the new king of Hastinapura. Dhrtarastra was happy as he was not merely the representative, but a new king. The citizens of Hastinapura and Pandu’s family were very upset at his leaving.