Pandu
In the
Mahabharata epic,
Pandu is the son of
Vichitravirya and his second wife,
Ambalika from
Vyasa. He is more popularly known as the father of the
Pandavas.
After Vichitravirya's death his mother
Satyavati sent for her first born,
Rishi Veda Vyasa. According to his mother's wishes, he visited both the wives of Vichitravirya to grant them a son. Ambalika was instructed by Satyavati to keep her eyes open lest she would bear a blind son like
Ambika (
Dhritarashtra). She did keep her eyes open but she became pale after seeing the formidable form of the Sage. Therefore, Pandu was born pale.
Pandu was an excellent archer. He became the commander of King Dhritarashtra's army and also ruled the kingdom for him. Pandu conquered the territories of Dasarnas,
Kashi, Anga, Vango,
Kalinga,
Magadha etc. and thus re-established their superiority over all the kings.
Pandu got married to
Madri, daughter of the King of Madra, and
Kunti, daughter of King Kuntibhoja of Vrish. While enjoying in a forest, Pandu shot a Rishi (who was mating), so the Rishi cursed him that, when he approaches his wife with love he will die. Upset, Pandu renounced his kingdom and lived like a hermit with his wives.
Kunti used her boons given by Sage
Durvasa to bear three sons—
Yudhishtira (by Lord
Yama),
Bhima (by Lord
Vayu), and
Arjuna (by Lord
Indra). Also Kunti gave birth to Karna through Surya. She also gave her boons to Madri, who bore
Nakula and
Sahadeva twins from the physicians to the gods, Ashwini Kumar twins.
Thus the
Pandavas of Pandu were born.
After 15 years of celibacy, when Kunti and his sons were away, Pandu suddenly became strongly attracted to Madri. Because of the curse, he died after attempting to engage in intercourse with her, and Madri, out of repentance and grief, burns herself alive on her husband's funeral
pyre.
*
Pandava*
Pandeism
