Pandu's Desire for Offspring (Mahabharata Series 18)

Pandu's Desire for Offspring

After renouncing royal life, King Pāndu resided with his wives, Kunti and Mādrī, at the foothills of Mount Śataśṛṅga. Deeply devoted to penance, he led a disciplined and saintly life. Serving the sages with humility and freeing himself from pride, he became a master of his senses. His pure conduct and devotion made him beloved among the ascetics, Siddhas, and celestial beings dwelling in the region.

One new moon day, the sages of the hermitage decided to visit Lord Brahmā in his celestial court. Seeing them preparing for their journey, Pāndu approached respectfully and asked, “Revered ones, where are you all bound?”

A sage replied, “Today, in Brahmā’s assembly, the gods, sages, and ancestors have all gathered. We go to have his divine audience.”

Eager to behold Brahmā himself, Pāndu expressed his wish to accompany them with his wives. The sages, however, gently dissuaded him. They said, “O King, the path we take is not suited for mortals. It crosses impassable mountains, celestial realms of gods and Gandharvas, and the fragrant gardens of Kubera. Beyond lie regions wrapped in mist, devoid of trees, birds, and beasts—where only divine beings, wind, and perfected ascetics may pass.

Moreover, those who are childless cannot enter the world of the gods. Your delicate queens will not withstand the hardships of this journey. Return, O King, and do not bring them into such peril.”

Hearing this, Pāndu bowed his head in sorrow and said,

“Great sages, what you say is true. Yet hear me—

‘By sacrifices, man repays his debt to the gods;

By study and penance, his debt to the sages;

By sons and offerings, his debt to the ancestors;

And by compassion and charity, his debt to mankind.’

Every human being is born with these four debts — to the gods, to the sages, to the ancestors, and to humanity. It is through virtuous action that one is freed from them.

I have discharged the debts to the gods, sages, and men — but being childless, I remain bound by the debt to my ancestors. Without a son, I can never attain the higher worlds. Tell me, O revered ones, is there a way for me to obtain a son and be freed from this debt?”

Moved by his humility, the sages replied,

“O noble king, you are destined, by divine will, to beget sons of godlike virtue through auspicious means. Follow the path shown by destiny — may good fortune be yours.”

With these words, the sages departed, leaving Pāndu deep in thought.

He pondered, “How shall I, bound by the curse, become a father? How can this destiny come to pass?”

Turning to his queen Kunti, he said,

“Devi, the scriptures declare that even great sacrifices and penances cannot grant a childless man the higher worlds. A son is the root of both dharma and lasting fame.

But because of my past sin and the curse of the sage, I can never unite with you or Mādrī. Tell me, my queen, is there any sacred way — any path permitted by dharma — through which we may yet be blessed with sons?”

Thus began the fateful dialogue between Pāndu and Kunti — a turning point that would soon lead to the birth of the Pandavas.