Search

In Hastināpura, Dhṛtarāṣṭra had performed five sacrifices with the wealth Pāṇḍu had bestowed upon him. He gave charity to hundreds …

Assisted by Bhīṣma, Dhṛtarāṣṭra ruled over the kingdom on Pāṇḍu’s behalf. After hearing of Pāṇḍu cursed and his subsequent retirement, …

It once came to pass that Vyāsadeva arrived hungry and thirsty at Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s palace. Gāndhārī attended to him conscientiously. Vyāsadeva …

At once the sage appeared before her and said, “What have you done?”

Gāndhārī told him how she had become overwhelmed with envy and frustration when she had heard of Kuntī giving birth …

Vyāsadeva replied that his words could never prove false. He asked the servants to bring one hundred one pots filled …

Exactly after the two years had elapsed the pots were opened one by one. From the first came a child …

The frightened King Dhṛtarāṣṭra summoned the Brahmins, Bhīṣma, Vidura and other ministers and counselors. He asked them the meaning of …

As Dhṛtarāṣṭra spoke the terrible sounds began again from all sides. Hearing this, Vidura replied to the king, “When these …

Vidura told Dhṛtarāṣṭra that he would still have ninety-nine other sons. There would be no sin in abandoning this child, …

Dhṛtarāṣṭra was unable to accept Vidura’s counsel. He could not allow his son to be cast away. He shook his …

Over the course of the next month, all the pots were opened and one hundred boys and one girl were …

* * *

On Saptasrota Mountain, spring had arrived. Pāṇḍu, surrounded by his five youthful sons, felt young again. He sported with the …

One evening Pāṇḍu went into the woods with Mādrī to fetch roots and fruits for their evening meal. As they …

Pāṇḍu could not suppress his desire. He had kept himself in check for twelve years and had not dared to …

Mādrī at once understood what was in Pāṇḍu’s heart. She was seized by conflicting emotions. How was her lord suddenly …

Mādrī tried to push her husband away. Pāṇḍu smiled, incited further by her protests. His mighty arms, deeply tanned and …

As if impelled by the lord of death himself, the monarch entirely lost his reason under the influence of lust. …