Battle Beyond Kurukshetra | P.K. Balakrishnan

February 22, 2023Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

Writer Jayamohan has extensively discussed and written about the novel ‘Ini Njaan Urangatte’, including during a discussion about his Venmurasu novel series at Ang Mo Kio library in 2016.

I didn’t think twice before borrowing this novel from the reference section of the library, which is allowed to be borrowed.

Jayamohan states that this novel is a deep lament; an emptiness. The emptiness that came after a loathed war. After the fierce conflict between the brothers had taken away everyone from this beautiful planet, this tranquil emptiness was an expression of overwhelming feelings. Agony and distress everywhere.

Karna is the protagonist of this novel, which tells the story of the aftermath of his tragic death in the Mahabharata. Karna was known for his unparalleled physical and mental strength and his ability to win over everyone with his charm. Despite his immense power, he ultimately lost and died. This story evokes the fascination of readers due to the unique circumstances of Karna’s life: despite being born into a high-status family, he was raised as the son of a charioteer, was ridiculed and shamed as a ‘suda-putra‘, and yet managed to remain righteous in the face of adversity, even when faced with difficult decisions. Karna’s story is sure to captivate any reader.

The novel begins with the death of Duryodhana, and within the first two paragraphs, it immerses the reader in its world. It is as if a tornado has swept us up, as the intensity of the scene draws us in. The novel enthralls its audience with the tale of Yudhishthira’s fraternal love. He is eager to uncover the truth behind Karna’s death, and he is filled with an overwhelming sense of guilt, despite other Pandava-s’ rage.

They questioned Yudhishthira, “Abhimanyu and the wise teachers who taught him battle strategies have perished, and Bhishma has fallen on a bed of arrows. Yet, you have never expressed sorrow for them, so why do you now grieve for your opponent Karna?”.

This novel contains exquisite places that evoke strong emotions in the reader.

The way author narrates the Narada’s rebuttal with Yudhishthira about Karna’s battle and the justice and injustice behind the same.
Meeting between Karnan and Kunthi
Meeting between Karna and Krishna
The humiliation of Draupadi
The agony of Duryodhana
The assasscination of Karna

The banks of the Ganges, ravaged by war, are a macabre sight during funerary ceremonies.

Kunti’s anxious expression appears intermittently throughout the novel. Upon learning that Karna is Yudhishthira’s elder brother, Kunti reveals the truth of his birth and requests him to perform the funeral rites for Karna first. Draupadi, like us, has many questions.

Why didn’t you let us know he was your son, Mom? Would it have been possible to prevent this devastating destruction if we had known about his family ties to you?
-Draupadi

During the Pandavas and Kauravas’ training in arms, the Pandava clan and their teachers humiliated Karna due to his birth reasons. Kunti fainted from her intense distress, but did not make any attempt to rescue him. Draupadi wanted to ask Kunti if she would react in the same way to Arjuna.

Yudhisthira was so overwhelmed with his love for his brother that he lost his calm. He wanted to throw away his bow and arrow and go into the forest. On the other hand, Kunti was grief-stricken by the death of her eldest son. The other Pandavas were taken aback when Karna humiliated them during the battle, yet gave them a chance to live.

As the Pandavas grieved for Karna, Draupadi – who harbored an intense resentment towards him – felt isolated. With her sibling and father gone due to the war, she had no one. The compassion the Pandavas felt for Karna, despite his having laughed at her humiliation, seemed paradoxical to her. She wondered if the anguish, deceit and sleepless nights she had endured had any purpose.

Krishna and Kunti reveal the secret of Karna’s birth to him not out of sorrow or affection, but rather to prevent an impending war of annihilation by convincing him to switch sides from the Kaurava camp to the Pandava camp. The scenes of Krishna trying to change Karna’s opinion are captivating.

I wish I had the ability to paint, my friends! If I did, I would have created a beautiful painting of Draupadi with the six Pandavas!

Draupadi questions herself; as a woman, she has grievances about the wrongdoing of her unrighteous husbands. She wonders what kind of dharma they are protecting by making her a pawn in the Hastinapur palace or during their exile. Draupadi’s flustered questions embody the essence of feminism.

She sees Karna’s death as a punishment for his betrayal. Despite her victory in the battle, she felt desolate. She deludedly questioned whether this was what she had wanted. Furthermore, Draupadi lamented her inability to care for her children as a mother. These are the emotional threads of this novel.

Krishna arrived in Hastinapur as a messenger, but was unable to prevent war and returned without success. Before departing, he met with Karna to disclose the truth of his birth. He tried to persuade him to transfer to the Pandava camp and become king, with Draupadi as his queen. However, Karna firmly refused and maintained his loyalty to Duryodhana, who had defended his honor in the Hastinapur arms skill event. When Karna thought about his foster mother Radha, I was brought to tears. I had to put the book down and close my eyes before I could continue. Despite Krishna’s attempts, he was unable to make him change his mind and had to go back.

Kunti encountered Karna while he was worshipping the Sun at midday and offering Dharma to those who are in need. She reiterated what Krishna had said.

It is a futile attempt to express longing for the dead by adorning the cremation bed with sandalwood. It is a senseless and cruel act of futility! Please let us finish this scene soon… What is your motivation for coming here? What should I do next? I am confident that I will agree with whatever you say, so please do not hesitate to provide me with your instructions and let us complete this quickly.
-Karna

The novel depicts Karnan conversing with her and holding back his anger with regret. Even though these are well-known stories, the way they are being narrated surprises the readers.

Karna is a Dharmavan, the elder Pandava and a responsible companion. But, he makes some mistakes. Due to unexpected situations, Draupadi has a grudge against him. She also refuses to marry him citing his birth. So, the deception on one side destroys the other!

As everyone was mourning the loss of Karna, Draupadi was in deep emotional distress, imagining an unexpected scene where she saw Karna seated on the throne and herself sitting by his side as his queen, surrounded by the other Pandavas, safe and secure. This vision occurred on the battlefield where so many had died, and the widows of the fallen were preparing their husbands’ funeral pyres. At one point, Draupadi felt as if she too was one of these widows. I was taken aback for a moment.

Let her rest with the worn-out deception and unfulfilled emotions. I will end my lament here!

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End of radiance – Karna’s end | Mahabharata Paintings

February 28, 2022Pandian Ramaiah 2 Comments

Karna took over as commander in chief of Kaurava army on the sixteenth day, after the fall of Drona. Kaurava army had much hope of recovery after the fall of their great chieftains, Bhishma, and Drona.

Kunti knew about the news. She understood that she could not prevent the clash between her sons. But she wanted to minimize the damage by meeting him. Maybe, I think she might have felt that discussing that with Yudhishthira would not earn her because he did not know the background. Some versions of Mahabharata say that it was Krishna who sent her to seek protection for Pandava-s.

It was early in the morning. Karna was in his morning prayers. Kunti came to meet him. Everybody knew that Karna would donate whatever had been asked. Karna understood her motive and asked her to express her wish in a grudge.

“சந்தனக்கட்டைகள் அடுக்கிய சிதையைக் காட்டி பிணங்களை ஆசை காட்டிடும் வீண்வேலை… அர்த்தமற்றதும் கொடூரமானதுமான வீண் உடற்பயிற்சி! விரைவில் நாமிந்த காட்சியை முடித்துக் கொள்வோம்… எந்த லட்சியம் கருதி நீ இங்கு வந்தாய் – என்பதைச் சொல். இனி நான் மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டிய செயல் என்னவென்பதையும் கூறிவிடு. அச்செயல் என்ன ஆயினும் நானதற்குப் பணிவேன் என்பதை நிச்சயமாக நம்பிக்கொண்டு, சொல்லவேண்டியதை விரைவில் சொல்லி முடித்துவிடு”

The futility of making a carcass happy by showing the pyre stacked with sandalwood. Meaningless and horrible futile exercise! We will finish this scene soon. Tell me what ambition you came here for. Please tell me, what you want me to do hereafter. Complete what you have to say as soon as possible, be confident that I will obey you no matter what.
Ini nan urangattum, BK Balakrishnan

Kunti requested him to come to Pandava‘s camp. Citing his bond with Duryodhana, Karna refused to oblige. She asked for the safety for Pandava-s. Karna assured her she will be known as mother of five sons even after the war, either with Arjuna or with him. Karna left to battlefield after that.

It was difficult for Pandava-s to fight with Karna. Kaurava‘s army had time to take breath after successive loses on the sixteenth day. There was a dispute between Yudhishthira and Arjuna about Arjuna’s failure in tackling Karna. All Pandava-s except Arjuna had fought with Karna and lost before this dispute. Though they lost, Karna did not kill then, as he promised to his mother. Unaware of the reality, poor Pandava-s felt humiliated by Karna.

Shalya – the Madra king and maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva – was appointed as Charioteer for Karna by Duryodhana. Krishna raged a psychological war against Karna with the help of Shalya. As directed by Krishna, Shalya was praising Arjuna often. He pointed to his low birth as well to irritate Karna while fighting.

Karna had a powerful astra (weapon) to kill Arjuna. It had the capacity to Kill Arjuna as well. But it can be used only once. Shayla advised Karna to focus on Arjuna’s chest. Karna was confident about this target, so he focused on Arjuna’s neck and shot it. Krishna pushed Arjuna’s chariot a few inches down. As Shalya expected, the astra missed its target and hit Arjuna’s crown.

“கர்ணா, சிரசினை குறிவைத்து அந்த அஸ்திரம் நீ தொடுக்காதே. குறி தவறிவிடும்…” அதற்குக் கர்ணன் சொல்வான்: “மத்ரேசா உனது கூற்றின் பொருள் எனக்குப் புரிகிறது. ஆனால் லட்சியம் குறிவைத்து தொடுத்திட்ட சரம் தனை மாற்றி தொடுப்பது தர்ம நீதிக்கு உகந்ததல்ல. தொடுத்த அம்பினை கர்ணன் திருப்பி வைப்பதில்லை என்பதை நீ அறியவும்…”

“Karna, do not aim at the neck and shoot that arrow. ” To which Karna will say: “Madresa, I understand the meaning of your statement. But it is not in the interest of moral justice to change the string of my target. Know that Karna will not revoke the his arrow.
Ini nan urangattum, BK Balakrishnan

Unfortunately, the wheel of his chariot got stuck inside the pit. He sought help from Shalya to release it. He refused to help and started abusing Karna’s caste.

Karna highlighted the rules of war and asked Arjuna to hold for some time until he releases his wheel from the pit. While Karna was busy releasing his wheel by showing his back to Arjuna, Krishna asked Arjuna to shoot his arrow to kill Karna. Arjuna refused as Karna was armless. Krishna countered him by saying that poor Draupadi had not shown such dharma when she was disrobed in court. Outraged Arjuna shot his arrow at Karna, which pierced his heart (or beheaded him).

The beautiful and mighty warrior was born in right place at wrong time, faced humiliation allover, did not take anything from this world but donated a lot, ended his life in the battlefield miserably.

Arjuna Slays Karna, page from a copy of the Razmnama, Mughal period

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The mutilated Abhimanyu | Mahabharata Paintings

February 24, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

After the fall of Bhishma, Drona became the commander-in-chief of Kaurava army. Though he was a skilled Archer, teacher and master of war tactics, he could not get an opportunity to slay any of the Pandava-s to take revenge for Bhishma’s fall. Karna – who had vowed not to come to the battlefield under the leadership of Bhishma – had joined the army already. Krishna kept Arjuna at a distance from him, as Karna had the weapon to kill him.

As Kaurava-s did not get notable victory for Bhishma’s fall to Pandava’s foul play, Drona was under pressure when he came to battlefield on thirteenth day.

He formed a chakra-vyuga, a circular maze to trap Pandava-s. Yudhishthira fell as a prey. He got stuck inside the chakra-vyuga. Krishna, who was at far-away distance, blew his conch to seek help to save Yudhishthira from other Pandava-s. No one was able to help him. This is when the young upapandava Abhimanyu got into action.

Abhimanyu battling alone in the Chakravyuha

The chakra-vyuga intrigued him. His maternal uncle – Krishna – taught to him on how to save others from this round maze. But he did not teach him about how to eject oneself safely.

So he successfully broke the chakra-vyuga, scattered the warriors in the maze wall, and saved Yudhishthira. Before he accomplished his notable victory, he was surrounded and attacked by the brave warriors of Kaurava army, who were his own relatives.

Karna, Duryodhana, Drona were in front of Abhimanyu. His chariot, bows, sword and spheres were broken. Jeyamohan had portrayed this scene painfully in his novel kaar-kadal of Venmurasu novel series.

தந்தையே, மைந்தனென உங்களிடம் நான் கோருவது ஒன்றுதான். ஒரு தேர்! ஒரு வில்! ஓர் ஆவநாழி! #அபிமன்யு #துரியோதனன் #கார்கடல் #வெண்முரசு #venmurasu #jeyamohan #mahabharat
— pandian ramaiah (@pandianr79) February 23, 2022

An unarmed teenage boy, fought bravely with a wheel of a chariot in his hand. He killed Laxmana Kumara – son of Duryodhana. Angered by this, Duryodhana asked Drona to move the target of Chakra-vyuga from Yudhishthira to Abhimanyu.

Arrows from Drona, Shakuni, Karna, Duryodhana stitched Abhimanyu and cut him into pieces. A brave boy – who fathered the next generation of Kuru clan – was killed tragically. Yudhishthira must have suffered the same fate instead of Abhimanyu. Dharma raja Yudhishthira got a life at the cost of his nephew!

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy
Kaar kadal / Venmurasu by Jeyamohan

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A excruciating war starts | Mahabharata Paintings

February 22, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

Pandava finished their exile life

Pandava-s sought refuge at Virata's palace — Pandava-s sought refuge at Virata’s palace and completed their incognito life

Gaurava-s sniffed about Pandava-s hiding in Virata. They attacked Virata without giving any opportunity for Pandava-s. There was a small war in which Arjuna fount as Brihannala. Virata-s won the war to save their kingdom with Brihannala/Arjuna’s help. With that, the 13 years of exile life came to an end!

They exposed themselves to Virata. Virata apologized for treating them as servants. In turn, Virata offered his daughter Uttara to get married to Arjuna. As Uttara was the taught by Brihannala, Arjuna said he could not marry her. But he would accept her as his daughter-in-law. Uttara married Abhimanyu later.

The messengers

Pandava-s took temporary shelter. They sent messengers to Hastinapur to ask Duryodhana to return Hastinapur. Duryodhana refused. Messengers came back empty handed. Krishna felt it was the final chance to avoid war. He himself went to Hastinapur as a messenger carrying Yudhishthira’s message.

Krishna meets Duryodhana

Duryodhana understood about Krishna’s arrival. He arranged for food and shelter on his way. But Krishna refused to enjoy his hospitality. Even after Hastinapur, he refused to stay at the palace. He stayed at Vidura’s house.

The negotiation started. Duryodhana was adamant in his claims. He was a good ruler. He rules both Hastinapur and Indraprastha without any concerns. He asked Krishna, why should he return his kingdom, while he offered good governance.

Krishna made it clear that he did discuss the good or bad governance there. The discussion is about his promise to give back Indraprastha after Pandava’s exile. It was a failed negotiation. Krishna asked for five villages, then five houses. Duryodhana refused to give even five inches of land. Krishna warned him not to pave the way for the destruction of families on both sides. It looked trivial argument to Duryodhana. Krishna then warned him that Pandava-s would meet them in Kurukshetra. Let that red soil decide who holds the dharma. Being angry at his statement, Duryodhana ordered his squad to arrest Krishna.

Krishna as messenger. Duryodhana issue orders to arrest Krishna. Satyaki protests. Image (c) Raja Ravi Varma

Krishna asked him, what did he think about him. Krishna transformed himself into Vishvarupa. The kings assembled over there were spellbound.

Dhritarashtra asked Sanjaya what the kings saw there? As there was no reply, He asked Krishna himself if he could get vision to see him. He had been gifted with vision to see the Vishvarupa. He thought he did not want to see anything else with his eyes there after. He continued to be blind as usual. Kings saw Brahma, the creator god, Lord Shiva, the destroyer in Krishna’s Vishvarupa. The eyes, mouth and ears were fuming. They saw all the creatures inside. That was the end of negotiations. The kings dispersed from the negotiation hall one by one.

Krishna meets Karna

Krishna met Karna before he left Hastinapur. As a great warrior, Karna added an enormous amount of power to Kaurava-s. Krishna wanted to divide and rule Kaurava-s. He asked Karna, why did he support Duryodhana, even if he knows his way is against the Dharma. Karna asserted his commitment to Duryodhana, his friend.

Krishna told him the secret of his birth, the information he wanted to know, the information that will bring him out of his low-birth complaint. Krishna told him that he is the ender son of Kunti. By law, he came the son of Pandu, Hence he is the elder Pandava. He can be the emperor supported by all Pandava-s and Kaurava-s. Draupadi will accept to accept to him as well.

Karna was spellbound. But he recalled Duryodhana’s recognition since the day he appeared against Arjuna during a skill display ceremony. It was due to Duryodhana, he had been crowned as King, that helped him to come out of the low-caste derision. Even with that offer, Karna refused to change his camp.

Duryodhana was confident of his success in war because of Karna, Bhishma, Drona, and himself. Krishna’s effort to stop the war (or divide and rule) did not work out.

Krishna meets Kunti

Krishna met Kunti to ask her, if she had anything to inform his sons. She asked them to fight abiding by the law of war.

Kings taking sides

Both parties have started to finalize their alliance with friendly countries. Yadava army joined Kaurava-s. Krishna joined Pandava-s with a condition that he would not fight. Balarama did not join the war. Rukmi was rejected by both parties. The final collection of troops traveled to Kurukshetra.

Aravan kalapali

Both parties looked for an auspicious time to start the war. It was decided as well. Kaurava-s army has more akshauhini-s than those of Pandava-s. So there was a widespread demotivation among the Pandava army. To motivate the force, troop leaders a self-sacrifice to Kali, the goddess of war.

Self-sacrifice is a cruel form of killing a human being and offering him to God. All humans cannot do this. A man with a predefined set of anatomy would be chosen for this. Among the troops there were three persons with such body features – Krishna, Arjuna, and Iravan/Aravan. Krishna and Arjuna cannot be lost. So Aravan became the natural choice.

Aravan was the son of Arjuna through Ulupi, a Nagini during his visit to north eastern part of Bharatha khanda. Arjuna asked if he is ready to do a self sacrifice. He asked for three boons. To make him as a war warrior; to make arrangement so that he can view the war completely; To find a wife to cry after his death.

First option was agreed.

After he did self-sacrifice, his head would be kept in a place, from where the whole war field could be observed from a bird’s- eye perspective. So the second request was also agreed.

The third option was difficult. To find a bride for Aravan, that too in a war field, is not possible. As per the stories, Vishnu took Mohini form and married him. As per Jeyamohan’s Venmurasu, she was assumed as a third gender, and came with troops. The marriage was conducted. Aravan was given as a sacrifice to Kali by beheading him. The transgender woman cried out loud about her husband. This is celebrated as Aravan Kalappali festival in Tamilnadu, Sri Lanka and Singapore.

The war starts

Pandavas headed by Yudhistira and accompanied by Krishna ask Bhishma permission to start the war

The great war of Mahabharata began at Kurukshetra after blowing the conch Panchajanya by Krishna.

References / Gratitude:

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy
Senna Vengai / Venmurasu by Jeyamohan

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Draupadi’s Swayamvara | Mahabharata Paintings

February 15, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

The disguised Pandava-s lived in many places and forests. Bhima found a wife, Hidimbi in forests. Sage Daumya advised them to proceed to Panchala. Swayamvara of Panchala princess Draupadi was scheduled to happen. Invitations had been sent to many kings across the Bharata khanda. Pandava-s disguised themselves as Brahman-s (priests) and entered the Swayamvara hall.

There was a competition. Drupada formed a finely architected machine, which was rotating in the top, in which a golden fish was rotating by itself. Under this machine there was a cauldron filled with oil. The archers were challenged to shoot at the eye of the fish by looking at the oil in the cauldron below. It was complex. It was supposed to be broken by the best archers of the world. Many lost the game.

Duryodhana did not participate as he promised not to take any other wives other than Bhanumati. As everyone believed that Pandava-s were no more, Karna joined the competition. He could do it flawlessly. But Draupadi rejected him by pointing at his birth in low caste.

As all the kings failed, Drupada asked Brahman-s to join the competition. Arjuna came forward, he solved the puzzle with focus. He strung the bow and shoot the eye of the fish correctly. Drupada was happy. People were also happy. But kshatriyas were not. They objected a brahman to overtake them. There was a brief melee between Pandava-s and some of the kings like Karna and Shalya. Finally Krishna need to step-in to solve the conflict.

Arjuna-at-Draupadi-Arjuna at Draupadi’s Swayamvar Folk art Painting Fabric Art Prints. Picture Credit: MPRO-TECH

Arjuna at Draupadi's Swayamvara. Kalamkari Painting on Cotton - Artist - M. Viswanath Reddy (Andhra Pradesh) — Arjuna at Draupadi’s Swayamvara. Kalamkari Painting on Cotton – Artist – M. Viswanath Reddy (Andhra Pradesh)

Who can fight with Radheya Karna in battle except Rama, Drona, Sharadvata Kripa?! Devaki’s son Krishna and Phalguni, the scorcher of enemies? Who can fight against Duryodhana and who can vanquish in battle the powerful Shalya, king of Madra and chief among warriors, except the brave Baladeva and Pandava Vrikodara? Therefore, let us desist from this fight against the Brahmanas. Let us find out who they are and then we will happily fight with them again.” ….. “This lady has been won according to dharma.”

ராதேய கர்ணனுடன் ராமர், துரோணர், சரத்வாத கிருபரைத் தவிர வேறு யாரால் போரிட முடியும்?! … துரியோதனனை எதிர்த்து யார் போரிட முடியும், வலிமைமிக்க பலராமரையும், பாண்டவ விருகோதரனையும் தவிர? மத்ராவின் அரசனும், போர்வீரர்களில் தலைவனுமான சல்யனை யார் போரில் வீழ்த்த முடியும்? எனவே, பிராமணர்களுக்கு எதிரான இந்தப் போராட்டத்தை கைவிடுவோம். அவர்கள் யார் என்று கண்டுபிடித்துவிட்டு மீண்டும் அவர்களுடன் மகிழ்ச்சியாக சண்டையிடுவோம். ….. “இந்தப் பெண் தர்மத்தின்படி வெல்லப்பெற்றாள்.”
Krishna to the assembled kings, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Arjuna won Draupadi.

References / Gratitude:

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy

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The royal marriages: Pandu with Kunti & Madri – Dhritarashtra with Gandhari | Mahabharata Paintings

February 8, 2022Pandian Ramaiah Leave a comment

Kunti and Karna

Surasena was the chief of Yadu-s. He is the father of Vasudeva. His daughter was named as Pritha, a matchless beautiful girl. Surasena gifted her female child to Kuntibhoja, his father’s sister’s son, as he was childless. In her step-father’s house, she was appointed to greet and honor the gods and guests. She was renamed as Kunti

This virtuous lady served rishi Durvasa during his visit. The delighted rishi taught a mantra to Kunti.

Whichever gods you summon through the use of this mantra, will grant you sons through their grace.

Tamil Translation:
இந்த மந்திரத்தின் மூலம் நீ எந்த கடவுளை அழைத்தாலும், அவர்களின் அருளால் உனக்கு மகன்கள் பிறப்பார்கள்.
– Durvasa to Kunti, Adi Parva, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Though she is still a virgin, she summoned Arka, the sun God, out of curiosity. She became a mother of a warrior. To escape from the blames of her parents and relatives, she left the child in a Wooden deck and left it in water.

He was later saved by Adhiratha and Radha. They named the baby boy as Vasushena and raised as their child.

Kunti marries Pandu

When Kunti was at marriageable age, his father arranged for Swayamvara. Kings across the world were invited to participate. Kunti found Pandu, the king of Hastinapur and the son of Vichitravirya. Kuntibhoja was happy too as this marriage will bring his kingdom close to Kuru dynasty. Kunti was the first grand-daughter-in-law for Satyavati.

Kunti's marriage with Pandu, Painting from Jammu and Kashmir — Kunti’s marriage with Pandu, Painting from Jammu and Kashmir

Pandu marries Madri

Pandu and Kunti did not make any children. Children were seen as important in kingdom as they succeed the throne after his father. It was considered as King’s rights to find additional wives if his queen is unable to make child. Kunti’s reputation was stained due to her premarital liaison as well.

Pandu went on expedition to expand his kingdom. He went to Madra kingdom also. (present day Sialkot in Pakistan). Though it is his inability to give birth to a child with Kunti, he purchased Madri, who was known for her exceptional beauty. She is the princess of Madra and sister of ruler Shalya.

Thereafter, with Devavrata Bhishma, he went to the capital city of the Madra kingdom. Madri, the daughter of the king of Madra, lived there. She was famous in the three worlds and among all the kings for her beauty, which was unmatched on earth. For Pandu’s sake, he bought her with a great deal of riches. Bhishma got the great-souled Pandu married off.
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya, Adi Parva, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Pandu won many kingdoms. He got enormous wealth from the treasuries of such small kingdoms. He gifted it to Bhishma, Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika as Dhritarashtra preferred. But his inability to beget a child made his life stressful. To win over it, he spent time on hunting in forests.

Gandhara princess agree to marry Dhritarashtra

Bhishma looked for a princess to marry the blind prince Dhritarashtra almost at the same time Pandu got married. He was searching for a beautiful bride from a powerful kingdom. He felt Gandhari, daughter of Gandhara king Suvala, may be a good match. He heard that the princess of Gandhara is not only beautiful but also had a good fortune as she has been granted a boon by Shiva – using which she will be a mother of hundred sons.

Bhishma sent a word to Suvala. Suvala was confused because of the blindness of the elder prince of Hastinapur. But the power of Kuru’s kingdom was an attractive offer to him. He agreed and started the nuptial process.

On hearing about misfortune of her to-be-husband, princess Gandhari decided not to get any external pleasures which was not naturally available to her husband and blind-folded herself using a piece of cloth. Thus a blind folded queen was a strong metaphor in Indian mythology.

O descendant of the Bharata lineage! O king! When Gandhari heard that Dhritarashtra was blind and that both her father and mother had agreed to give her to him, the beautiful one who possessed many qualities picked up a piece of cloth. As devotion to her husband, she tied up her eyes with this, deciding resolutely that she would never experience more than what her husband could….. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Gandhari of the beautiful hips satisfied all the Kurus with her acts, behaviour, attentiveness and conduct. She was devoted to her husband. She did not even mention other men in her speech.

Tamil Translation:
பரத பரம்பரையில் வந்தவனே! அரசே! திருதராஷ்டிரன் பார்வையற்றவனாகவும், அவளை அவனுக்குக் கொடுக்கத் தன் தந்தையும், தாயும் சம்மதித்ததைக் கேள்வியுற்ற பல குணங்கள் கொண்ட அந்த அழகிய காந்தாரி, ஒரு துண்டை எடுத்தாள். கணவனின் மேல் உள்ள பக்தியாக, தன் கணவனால் முடிந்ததை விட அதிகமாக அனுபவிக்க மாட்டேன் என்று தீர்மானமாக அவள் கண்களைக் கட்டினாள்…. பரத பரம்பரையில் வந்தவனே! மெல்லிடையாள் காந்தாரி தன் செயல்கள், நடத்தை, கவனிப்பு மற்றும் நடத்தை ஆகியவற்றால் அனைத்து குரு வம்சத்தினரையும் திருப்திப்படுத்தினாள். கணவனிடம் பக்தி கொண்ட அவள், தன் பேச்சில் மற்ற ஆண்களைக் குறிப்பிடவே இல்லை.
Vaishampayana to Janamejaya, Adi Parva, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes

Gandhari entered into Hastinapur with all her riches and traditional offerings. As per their tradition, her brother Shakuni, known to be a destroyer, went along with her.

Dhritarashtra – though he is elder – was forbidden from the throne due his disability. Whatever he lost, he wanted to give it to his son. So he said Gandhari that they should give birth to a son before Pandu, so that his son can lead the seniority.

References / Gratitude:

The illustrated Mahabharata, Dorling Kindersley India, Penguin Random House, 1st Ed. 2017
The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes, Bibek Debroy

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Kunti and Karna

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Pandu marries Madri

Gandhara princess agree to marry Dhritarashtra

The blind couple