Chapter 5: The Birth of the Pandavas and the Kauravas
Years passed upon the throne of Hastinapura.
Dhritarashtra, though blind, possessed the strength of a hundred elephants and the pride of a lion. Beside him stood Gandhari, princess of Gandhara, who chose to share her husband's darkness. Out of devotion, she bound her own eyes with cloth, saying:
> "If my lord sees not the world, I too shall walk in equal shadow."
Such was her vow — a devotion destined to echo through time, praised by some and pitied by others.
Pandu, younger and fair of heart, wed Kunti, daughter of the Yadavas, and Madri, princess of Madra. Wise Vidura, ever the voice of dharma, served as minister to the realm, guiding king and kingdom alike with a steady hand.
For a moment, peace graced the Kuru halls.
But destiny, like the restless sea, ever shifts its tide.
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The Curse of Pandu
In the forests, while hunting, Pandu's arrow struck a sage disguised as a deer, locked in embrace with his wife. With his last breath, the sage cursed Pandu:
> "In the moment of union with your wives, death shall claim you."
Thus fell upon Pandu a sorrow beyond measure. He renounced his kingdom and retired to the wilderness, choosing the austere peace of ascetic life over royal splendor. Kunti and Madri followed him, bound by love and duty.
Dhritarashtra, though not crowned by birthright, now ruled Hastinapura.
And in that palace of blind pride and deep yearning, fate sharpened its blade.
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The Boon of Kunti
Before marriage, in her youth, Kunti had once served a temperamental sage, Durvasa. Impressed by her devotion, he granted her a divine mantra:
> "Call upon any god, and he shall bless you with a child."
In the forest, bound by Pandu's curse, her virtue and destiny could no longer be hidden. Pandu spoke with trembling voice:
> "The Kuru line must not perish. Invoke the gods, O Kunti, and bear sons blessed with divine grace."
Thus, with reverence and pure heart, Kunti called upon the Sun God, Surya, and from his radiant touch was born Yudhishthira, embodiment of truth — the first Pandava.
Next she invoked Vayu, lord of wind, and bore Bhima, mighty and tempestuous, whose strength shook mountains.
Then she called upon Indra, king of gods, and received Arjuna, destiny's chosen archer, born for greatness.
At Pandu's request, Kunti shared the mantra with Madri, who summoned the twin gods Ashvins, and bore Nakula and Sahadeva, graceful and wise.
Thus were born the Five Pandavas — sons not of mortal men, but of divine power.
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The Birth of the Kauravas
Meanwhile, in Hastinapura, Gandhari carried a child within her womb. But time passed — a year and more — and yet no cry of infant touched the palace halls. In envy and despair, she struck her own womb, and from her body emerged not a child, but a lifeless ball of flesh.
Sage Vyasa arrived, his gaze deep as the cosmos.
> "Do not grieve, daughter of Gandhara. This flesh shall yet bear fruit."
He divided it into one hundred pieces and placed each in a pot of sacred ghee.
In time, from those vessels emerged a hundred sons, and one daughter.
Foremost among them was Duryodhana, his first cry echoing like thunder that shook the palace walls and stirred fear in the hearts of all who heard it.
Vidura's voice warned softly:
> "Where cries arise like war drums at birth, there destiny sharpens its sword."
Thus were born the Kauravas, heirs to ambition and rivalry, destined to stand against their noble cousins.
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The Two Lines Are Set
The Pandavas — born of gods, raised in virtue, destined for greatness.
The Kauravas — born of royal pride and restless ambition, molded in the shadow of rivalry.
From these two houses would arise a conflict to shake the earth itself —
The war not born from hate, but from dharma and fate.
The story of kings and gods had now become the story of brothers,
and through them, of the eternal struggle of righteousness and desire.
The river of destiny was gathering speed.
Its furious waters would soon thunder toward Kurukshetra.