The Birth of Yudhishthira (Mahabharata Series 19)

Seated quietly beside her husband, Queen Kunti listened as King Pāndu spoke earnestly.

“Kunti,” he said, “a man may have sons in twelve different ways — through various sacred and social means described by our forefathers.”

He began to enumerate them:

1. Svayam-jāta — the son born of one’s own lawful wife.

2. Praṇīta — the son begotten in one’s wife through the grace of a great soul.

3. Parikrīta — the son obtained by offering gifts to an ascetic to bless one’s wife.

4. Paunarbhava — the son born of a woman married for the second time.

5. Kānīna — a son born before marriage.

6. Kunda — a son born to a woman who, though unchaste, unites with a virtuous man.

7. Dattaka — an adopted son.

8. Krīta — a son acquired by lawful purchase.

9. Kṣetrajña — one accepted despite unknown lineage, out of circumstance or compassion.

10. Svayamdatta — one who comes declaring himself to be your son.

11. Sahoḍha — a son born of a woman already pregnant at the time of marriage.

12. Jñātikīta — a son born of a woman of lower birth but accepted by the family.

“If the first and noblest way is not possible,” said Pāndu, “a son may still be obtained through other righteous means — for the sake of lineage and duty. But, O Kunti, because of the sage’s curse, I cannot father children. Therefore, it is proper that you unite with a man equal or superior to me and obtain sons for the continuation of our line.”

Kunti was deeply troubled by these words and remained silent. Seeing her hesitation, Pāndu pleaded again and again, his voice filled with sorrow. “O Kunti, I beg you with folded hands. Grant me the joy of seeing my lineage continue. I yearn for the heavenly worlds that only the fathers of sons attain. Seek the blessings of a great sage — a pure soul — and obtain sons of noble virtue.”

Moved by her husband’s anguish, Kunti recalled a divine boon she had received in her youth.

Once, the sage Durvāsā, pleased by her devoted service, had granted her a sacred mantra through which she could invoke any deity of her choice to obtain a son of divine qualities.

With gentle humility, she told Pāndu of this gift and said,

“If you permit, my lord, I can use this mantra to invoke a deity and bear children worthy of your lineage.”

Hearing this, Pāndu’s heart filled with joy. “O fair one,” he said, “Arise now, and with pure devotion, invoke Lord Dharma himself. Through the grace of the God of Righteousness, you shall bear a son who will be the very embodiment of virtue — a light to our race and a blessing to the world.”

Perhaps, too, Pāndu wished to test the righteousness of their path — for even if their act seemed outside custom, invoking Dharma himself would ensure it was sanctified and pure.

With Pāndu’s blessings, Kunti purified herself, offered salutations to her husband, and sat in meditation.

With deep faith, she recited the mantra taught by Durvāsā and invoked Lord Yama-Dharma, the divine upholder of truth and justice.

Drawn by the power of her prayer and her spotless devotion, Lord Dharma appeared before her, radiant and smiling. “Kunti,” he said gently, “what blessing do you seek from me?”

Kunti, with folded hands and serene faith, replied,

“O Lord of Righteousness, grant me a son — one who will walk the path of Dharma and bring honor to my husband’s lineage.”

Thus, through her divine union with the god of righteousness, Kunti conceived a son — noble, wise, and virtuous, destined to guide the world.

On the auspicious fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Āshwayuja, under the Jyeṣṭhā star, when the Sun was in Tula Rāśi, Kunti gave birth to a radiant child at noon — the divine hour of Abhijit Muhurta.

At that moment, a heavenly voice proclaimed:

“This child shall be foremost among the righteous.

His name shall be Yudhishthira — the steadfast one in truth and virtue.

By his valor and truth, he shall shine in all three worlds.”

Meanwhile, in Hastināpura, Queen Gāndhārī had conceived but had not yet delivered, even after a full year.

Thus, Yudhishthira was recognized as the eldest among the Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas, the first-born heir of the Kuru dynasty.