Pandu Chakravarti’s Conquest (Mahabharata Series 15)

Pandu Chakravarti’s Conquest

After his marriage to Madri, Pandu lived happily with both Kunti and Madri. Despite being co-wives, there was neither jealousy nor envy between them. Instead, their relationship was filled with mutual love, trust, and affection.

Not long after his marriage to Madri, Pandu set out on a campaign of conquest. With the blessings of Bhishma, the elders, and his mother, and after consoling his wives, Pandu marched forth at an auspicious hour with his grand army.

He first attacked the capital of the wicked Dasharnas and crushed them in battle, seizing tribute from them. Moving ahead, he encountered Dirgharaja, the powerful king of Magadha, who had many rulers as his vassals. A fierce battle ensued, and Pandu slew Dirgharaja, collecting immense wealth before proceeding further.

He then conquered Videha, Kashi, Kumbha, Pundra, and many other kingdoms, expanding the glory of the Lunar dynasty. Having subdued his enemies, Pandu re-established the Chakravarti (supreme sovereignty) of Hastinapura. Laden with tribute such as gems, pearls, corals, sapphires, gold, silver coins, fine cattle, horses, elephants, chariots, precious carpets, and silken garments, Pandu triumphantly returned to the capital.

The people of Hastinapura rejoiced, declaring that Pandu had revived the fading glory of Shantanu and Bharata. Long lines of elephants, camels, oxen, and chariots carrying tribute filled the streets as Pandu was warmly welcomed by Bhishma and the elders. Soon after, he performed the five great sacrifices (Pancha Mahayajnas) and showered immense gifts and offerings upon the Brahmanas.

Pandu then withdrew with Kunti and Madri to the forest, his favorite abode. Leaving behind palaces and silken beds, he built a beautiful hermitage amidst Shala trees in the southern slopes of the Himalayas. There, he spent his time with his wives, hunting wild animals, and living in simplicity, while supplies continued to reach him from Hastinapura. The forest dwellers revered Pandu with great respect.

Vidura’s Marriage

Meanwhile, Bhishma learned of a cultured maiden named Parashavi (also called Parasavi), the daughter of the king of Devaka through a Shudra woman. Considering her suitable for Vidura, Bhishma arranged her marriage with him. From this union, Vidura had several children who, like him, were devoted to dharma.

Gandhari’s Anxiety

One day, Sage Vyasa arrived in Hastinapura. Impressed by Gandhari’s devotion and service, he offered her a boon. Already blessed by Lord Shiva to be the mother of a hundred sons, Gandhari prayed that this blessing be fulfilled. Vyasa assured her of this and blessed her further, saying her sons would be as mighty as her husband Dhritarashtra.

Time passed, and Gandhari conceived. But even after nine months, and then two years, she did not deliver. Meanwhile, news reached her that Kunti had given birth to a radiant son in the forest. Overcome with jealousy, Gandhari grew impatient and, in her anguish, struck her womb, causing a premature delivery.

What emerged was not a child but a lump of lifeless flesh. Distraught, Gandhari resolved to cast it away. At that very moment, Vyasa, who knew of her plight through his yogic powers, arrived and stopped her. “Soubali!” he said, “What a grave mistake you have made!”. Weeping, Gandhari confessed her grief and jealousy—that while she had carried her womb for two years, her co-wife Kunti had already borne a son. She lamented that instead of a hundred sons, she had produced only a mass of flesh.

Vyasa consoled her, saying, “Neither my words nor the Lord’s blessing shall ever prove false.” He then instructed that one hundred jars filled with clarified butter (ghee) be brought. He sprinkled cool water over the lump, and it broke into a hundred fragments. Vyasa carefully placed each piece into a jar of ghee.

At Gandhari’s request, Vyasa also prepared one additional jar for a daughter, so that Gandhari might experience the joy of having grandchildren through her. Thus, one hundred and one jars were sealed and stored in a secure place for two years.

From these jars would later be born the hundred Kauravas and their sister.