Bringing Up of the Three Children

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "After the birth of these three children Kurujaangal, Kurukshetra and Kuru, all grew in prosperity. Kuru capital became a second Amaraavatee. "Give" and "Eat" words were constantly heard in Kuru houses. The three c hilden were brought up by Bheeshm as if they were his own children. Over the time they all became skilled in the science of arms and morality. Dhritraashtra grew in personal strength, Paandu in archery, and Vidur grew up in virtue and knowledge of morality. Paandu became the king because Dhritraashtra was blind and Vidur was of Shoodra order. One day Bheeshm said to Vidur.

Bheeshma said to him - "We have raised you so that Kuru family may not extinct, now it is yours and my duty to see that this family grows like a sea. I have heard that there are three girls worthy for our family - one is the daughter of Shoorsen of Yaadav race; the other one is the daughter of Subal; and the third one is the princess of Madra Desh. I think we may chose them for the growth of our family. What is your idea?" Vidur said - "You are everything, do what you consider best for us."

Soon after Bheeshm heard that the daughter of Subal has obtained the boon from Shiv to have 100 sons, he sent his messenger to Subal for Dhritraashtra. First Subal hesitated because of the blindness of Dhritraashtra, but because of good family he agreed to give his daughter to him. Gaandhaaree also, as soon as she heard that her would-be husband is blind, tied a cloth strip over her eyes in love and devotion. Shakuni went to Hastinaapur to marry his sister and came back after marrying her. Gaandhaaree gratified all Kuru members, including her husband, with her good behavior."

Vaishampaayan Jee continued - "There was a king named Shoorsen who had a son named Vasudev. He had a daughter named Prithaa. He had a cousin (the son of his paternal aunt) and friend Kuntibhoj who was childless, so he gave his first-born child - Prithaa, to him. There she used to take care of coming Braahman and other guests. Once she gratified a Braahman named Durvaasaa who knew the hidden truths of morality. He had foreseen the Shaap given to Paandu, so he gave her a Mantra by which she could invite any Devtaa and have children from him. He said to her - "This Mantra will certainly bring that Devtaa and give you a child."

But Kuntee got curious and summoned Soorya Dev. As she pronounced the Mantra, a bright light appeared before her and god Vivaswat approached her and asked - "What can I do for you?" Kuntee said - "Some Braahman gave me this Mantra, I was just testing it. I ask your pardon for this offence. A woman always deserves pardon." Soorya said - "I know that Durvaasaa has given you this Mantra, but be fearless and grant me your embrace. I cannot go back without giving you something." Soorya Dev spoke her many things to remove her fears, but Kuntee could not did not agree for his request. Saying that it would not be sin by accepting him, he gratified his wish. Immediately a son Karn was born to Kuntee. He was wearing natural armor and earrings. After returning her maidenhood, he went back to his Lok.

What to do with that child? She flowed him in the river. The husband of Raadhaa, of the Soot caste, brought him to his home and hey brought him up as their own child. As he grew up he became skilled in all weapons. There was nothing in the world he could not give to Braahman. Indra, to do good to his own son Arjun, asked his armor and earrings assuming the form of a Braahman. Karn gave them to him and this greatly gratified Indra. Then he gave Vasusen a Power which he could use for anyone and it would kill him certainly, but he could use it only once. He was known as Karn (the cutter) when he ripped off his armor and earring from his body and gave them to Indra.

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Prithaa was very qualitative and beautiful but it so happened hat nbody asked for her hand so Kuntibhoj invited people from among her guests. As she entered the hall, she saw Paandu. He looked like another Indra. She placed her garland around Paandu's neck. Both were married ceremoniously and came back home."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "After some time Bheeshm thought to marry Paandy to a second wife. He went to Madra Desh with his Chaturanginee army and Braahman etc. The Kig of Madra Desh received him with honor and asked the reason of his coming. Bheeshm said - "I have come here for your sister Maadree for Paandu. Think about it and accept us duly." Madra's King said - "I think there is no better alliance than this one for my sister; but we have a custom, good or bad, that I cannot give my sister to you." Bheeshm said - "Custom is a custom, we are nobody to find any fault in it." Then Bheeshm gave him lots of gold, in the form of coins and other things, many animals, precious stones and brought Maadree home. Then settling a good day for their marriage, he performed their marriage also.

After 30 days passed to this event and Paandu having enjoyed with his wives, proceeded for the conquest of the world. He defeated many kings and Bheeshm welcomed him home."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Paandu, at the command of Dhritraashtra gave that wealth to Bheeshm, Satyavatee and their mothers; and some portion to Vidur also. Dhritraashtra performed five great sacrifices, which were equal to 100 Ashwamedh Yagya, with that money. After this Paandu went to forest permanently with his two wives and enjoyed hunting there. He used to get everything from Hastinaapur at the command of Dhritraashtra.

Meanwhile Bheeshm heard that King Devak had a daughter from his Shoodra wife, he brought her to Hastinaapur and married Vidur. And Vidur had many children from her."

Dhritraashtra's 100 Children

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "In the meantime Dhritraashtra had 100 sons and one son more from his Vaishya wife; and Paandu had five sons from his two wives - all from celestials." Janamejaya asked - "O Maharshi, How Gaandhaaree gave birth to 100 sons and in how many years? How much life was allotted to them? How Dhritraashtra behaved with Gaandhaaree? How Paandu got those sons when he was cursed by that Rishi? I want to hear this in detail."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Once Vyaas Jee came to Hastinaapur  tired and hungry; and Gaandhaaree honored him respectfully. Pleased with her hospitality, he bestowed her a boon she asked for, that she should be a mother of 100 sons. (See above, and  Questions-1). After some time Gaandhaaree conceived and she bore them for two long years. She was very afflicted with this. In the meantime she heard that Kuntee had given birth to a son. Grieved with her situation, she struck her womb without the knowledge of her husband. A mass of flesh as hard as an iron ball came out of the womb of Gaandhaaree. As she was about to throw it away, Vyaas Jee came there seeing all this by his spiritual powers. He said to her - "What did you do this?" Gaandhaaree couldn't hide her feelings and spoke to Vyaas Jee - "Hearing that Kuntee has got a son like Soorya, I struck my womb in grief. You told me that I will have 100 sons but this is an iron ball only." Vyaas Jee said - "You are right, but my words also cannot go wrong. Get 100 pots of Ghee immediately and put them in a hidden place. In the meantime sprinkle the cool water over this iron ball." 

A little while the ball broke up into 10o pieces, each of the size of a thumb; and all the pieces were kept in those pots and the pots were kept in a hidden place. They were watched with care. Vyaas Jee asked Gaandhaaree to remove the cover of the pots after full two years. Then the children of Gaandhaaree were born from those pots. According to the order of their birth, Yudhishthir was the eldest, then Duryodhan and Bheem were born on the same day. As soon as Dryodhan was born he cried and brayed like an ass. Hearing that cry, jackals, vultures, asses and crows also stated making their respective sounds.

At that time Dhritraashtra called Bheeshm, Vidur, Braahman and other ministers etc and said - "The oldest of the princes Yudhishthir will carry our line. By virtue of his birth he has acquired the kingdom. But will my this son, born after, become the king? Tell me what is rightful." As soon as these words were spoken jackals etc started making terrible sound again. Vidur said - "These terrible sounds are indicating that he will be the terminator of your Vansh. All's prosperity depends on abandoning him. If you abandon him, still you will have your 99 sons. If you want to do good to your family, abandon him. It has been said that an individual should cast off for the sake of family, a family should be cast off for the sake of village, a village should be abandoned for the sake of the country, and the whole earth should be abandoned for the sake of the soul." 

But Dhritraashtra didn't hear Vidur's advice because of the love of his son, and in a month time all other 100 children, including a daughter, were born out of those pots. When Gaandhaaree was in her advance stage of pregnancy, a Vaishya woman was attending Dhritraashtra. He had son from her that year. He was called Yuyutsu and since he was the son of Kshatriya born from a Vaidhya woman, he was called Karn. Thus Dhritraashtra's all children were born.

Birth of Dhritraashtra's Daughter

Janamejaya asked - "You told me about the birth of the sons of Dhritraashtra, but you have not told me about his daughter. You told taht Vyaas Jee bestowed her with 100 sons and divided the iron ball into 100 pieces, then how this daughter was born, if Gaandhaaree didn't conceive some another time?" Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Your question is very just, let me tell you how did it happen? AS the cool water was sprinkled over the ball, it started dividing into parts. The nurse began to put them one by one, in the pots of Ghee. At the same time Gaandhaaree felt an affection to have daughter and thought how good it would be if she had a daughter youngest to all. My husband can attain to those worlds which a daughter's son can confer to him. If I have ever given anything to charity, if I have ever done some Tap, if I have ever done any Yagya, then let a daughter be born to me." In the meantime Vyaas was dividing that ball, he said - "Here are your 100 sons, I did not tell lie to you. However here is an extra part which is for your daughter's son. This part will develop into a beautiful daughter as you have desired." Thus all children of Dhritraashtra were born."

Janamejaya said - Tell me the names of his children according to the order of their birth." Vaishampaayan Jee said - "'Their names according to the order of birth, are Duryodhana, Yuyutsu, Dushaasan, Duhsaha, Duhshal, Jalaasandh, Sama, Saha, Vinda and Anuvind, Durdharsh, Subaahu, Dushpradharshan, Durmarshan and Durmukh, Dushkarn, and Karn; Vivinshati and Vikarn, Ssal, Satwa, Sulochan, Chitra and Upachitra, Chitraksha, Chaaruchitra, Sarshan, Durmad and Durvighna, Vivitsu, Vikataanan; Urnanaabh and Sunabh, then Nandak and Upanandak; Chitravan, Chitravarmaa, Suvarmaa, Durvimochan; Ayobaahu, Mahabaahu, Chitraang, Chitrakundal, Bhieemaveg, Bhimabal, Balaakee, Balavardhan, Ugraayudh; Bheema, Karn, Kanakaaya, Dridhaayudh, Dridhvarmaa, Dridhkshatra, Somkeerti, Anudaar; Dridhaasandh, Jaraasandh, Satyasandh, Sad, Suvaak, Ugrashravaa, Ashwasen, Senaanee, Dushparaaj, Aparaajit, Kundasayin, Vishaalaaksh, Duradhara; Dridhahast, Suhast, Vaataveg, and Suvarchas; Aadityaketu, Aahvashin, Naagdatt, Agrayayin; Kavachin, Krathana, Kunda, Kundadhar, Dhanurdhar; the heroes, Ugra and Bheemarath, Veerabaahu, Alolup; Abhaya, and Raudrakarmaa, and Dridhrath; Anadrishya, Kundabhedee, Viraavee, Dheerghlochan Pramath, and Pramathi and the powerful Dhirgharomaa; Deerghabaahu, Mahaabaahu, Vyudhoru, Kanakdhwaj; Kundashee and Viraaj. Besides these hundred sons, there was a daughter named Dushalaa. All were heroes and Atirathas, and were well-skilled in warfare. All were learned in the Vedas, and all kinds of weapons. Worthy wives were in time selected for all of them by Dhritarashtra after proper examination. And king Dhritarashtra bestowed Dushalaa upon Jayadrath (the king of Sindhu)."