Apasmāra

 After the birth of his five sons, Pandu again approached Kunti at the behest of Madri. Kunti said, "When I gave her the formula for invoking it once, she managed to obtain two sons. She has deceived me. If I give her the formula again, she will end up having more children than me. This is the way of wicked women. I was a fool to have not used the formula to get two children at a time. I beseech you not to command me to give the formula to Madri once again. Let this be a boon granted to me by you." One day, King Pandu was wandering about the woods with his wife Madri. It was springtime and the forest flowers were in bloom, casting their scent in all directions. Birds like the parrot, the cuckoo, the crane, and the peacock were singing sweetly, and the bees were humming. Bewildered by the atmosphere, Pandu became attracted to his wife, and forgetting the curse of the Sage Kindama, forcibly embraced her. Madri tried to resist the advances of her husband, but it was of no us

Back in Hasthinapur, Gandhari gave birth to children. She received a benediction from Vyasa that she could have one hundred sons. Sometime thereafter, Gandhari conceived, and she bore the pregnancy for two years without delivering. When she heard that Kunti had given birth to a child whose splendor was like the morning sun, she was angered and violently hit her womb. She then gave birth to a piece of flesh that was hard like an iron ball. When she was about to throw the ball of flesh away, Vyasa appeared. Without disguising her feelings, she angrily cried, "When I heard that Kunti gave birth to a child who was radiant like the sun, I struck my womb. You have promised me a hundred sons, but here is a ball of flesh."  Vyasa replied, "My boons will always bear fruit. I have never falsified a benediction even in jest. You should now arrange that a hundred pots full of ghee be brought instantly. In the meantime sprinkle cool water over this piece of flesh". Gandhar

Pandu was excited by his information. He asked Kunti  to summon the God of Justice, the most virtuous of all celestials. Kunti did accordingly. By the command of her husband Pandu, Kunti invited Yamaraja . He is most pious and devoted to Lord Vishnu. Indeed, he is a mahajanas and will not pollute our dynasty with sin. Kunti abided by Pandu's order and prepared to call the demigod Yamaraja. (At this time Gandhari had been pregnant for one whole year.) Kunti repeated the incantation that Durvasa Muni had imparted to her, and Yamaraja appeared. By him she conceived a child that was equal to the great Yamaraja himself. When the child was born, there was a celestial voice from the heavens that announced, This child will possess divine consciousness, and he will be the foremost of virtuous. He will become famous as one who rules by the will of God. Endowed with invincibility and truthful speech, he will become the emperor of this earth. This first son of Pandu will be named Yudhi

Pandu began his ascetic way of life along with his two wives, Kunti and Madri. He travelled from place to place in the mountains. By virtue of his strict adherence to austerity, he became the favorite of various groups of ascetics like the Siddhas and Charanyas living in the woods. Many Rishis (sages) also adored Pandu, some treating him as their son, some as their brother and some as their friend.  Some even treated him as a Brahmarishi, a title that could be earned only by a Brahmin. One day, Pandu lamented to the sages about his fate of having to go with no children because of the curse delivered on him by sage Kindama. He said, “Men  born in this world have four obligations or debts that they owe, one to the gods, one to the rishis, one to their ancestors and one to other men.  The gods have to be pleased by performing sacrifices; the debt owed to sages can be repaid  by doing meditation and practicing asceticism, the debt owed to the ancestors can be repaid by begetting so

After establishing his power over the earth, King Pandu retired to the forest along with his two wives, Kunti and Madri. There they lived in opulence and enjoyed the beautiful wooded areas at the base of the Himalayan mountains.He wandered in the forest like the Iravata (the white elephant owned by Indra) accompanied by two she-elephants.  People who dwelled in the forest considered him to be God himself wandering among them. As per the command of Dritharashtra , people supplied Pandu  with many things  for his needs. One day, Pandu, while roaming about the forest, saw two deers that seemed to be engaged in each other companionship. Pandu pierced them both with a sharp arrow. The animal was not actually a deer but a sage's son of great ascetic merit, who was enjoying his mate in the form of a deer. When pierced in this way, the deer fell uttering cries in an agonizing voice. In great pain the deer chastised King Pandu, 'O King, even men that are slaves to lust and anger and

 As days passed after Kunti gave birth to Karna, time has arrived for Kunti to get married, her foster father, Kuntibhoja invited princes and kings from other kingdoms to be present for svayamvara (wedding) ceremony where she has to pick her husband. The budding youthful Kunti, upon entering the assembly hall, saw the handsome Pandu, broad-chested and endowed with unsuppressable prowess. He was like the moon amidst its many luminaries. Advancing with modesty, she placed the wedding garland around Pandu's neck, and thus she accepted the Kuru prince as her beloved husband. King Kuntibhoja arranged for the wedding functions and bestowed upon Pandu a large dowry. Afterwards, Pandu took his new wife back to Hastinapura and gave her the opulence she deserved. Sometime later, Bhishma set his heart upon getting Pandu married to a second wife as a result of an alliance to avoid war. Accompanied by his army, Bhishma went to the kingdom of Madra. taking along with him several sages, Brah

The chief of the Yadu dynasty was Surasena . He was the father of the magnanimous Vasudeva . He also had a daughter named Pritha , who was unrivaled in beauty among earth women. As per a promise he had made to his cousin Kuntibhoja, Surasena gave his daughter in adoption to him.She was adopted by King Kuntibhoja , who had no children. This was an agreement made previously by the two Kings. Thus Pritha, who later became known as Kunti , lived in the palace of King Kuntibhoja and looked after the duties of greeting important guests and brahmanas. Once, during her youthful years, the easily angered Sage Durvasa visited Kuntibhoja Kingdom. Kunti  looked after his needs diligently as she would of any other guest. Durvasa gratified by her care and attention of Kunti. Gave her a benediction that she could call any celestial being from the heavenly regions to produce children of the highest quality. Kunti, while still a virgin girl, once called, out of curiosity, Surya, the su

Upon the birth of Dhritarastra, Pandu, and Vidura, the earth prospered. There was an abundant harvest of crops, and all the trees were ladened with fruits and flowers. The people became literate, brave and honest, and guided by Bhishma, performed devotional sacrifices for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu. The people of Hasthinapura were so contented with the rule of Bhishma. The Kuru kingdom grew in prosperity. Bhishma raised the three children, Dhritarastra, Pandu and Vidura, as if they were his own. The children grew up into young men well versed in Vedas and skilled in athletics. As Pandu grew, he excelled all men in archery, whereas Dhritarastra excelled in personal strength, and it was soon known to everyone that there was no one equal to Vidura in devotion to Vishnu and knowledge of the dictates of morality. In due course of time Pandu became King of Hasthinapura, as Dhritarastra was born blind, and Vidura was born of a maid servant. Therefore, neither of them could accept the t

Bhishma endorsed Satyavati’s proposal to beget a son through Sage Vyasa through the process of Niyoga . Since he knew Vyasa to be an ascetic of great virtues and immense power. Satyavati thought of Vyasa and Vyasa sensing her call appeared before her instantly. After receiving Vyasa with due respect and offering him food, Satyavati requested him to beget children upon the wives of Vichitravirya, his step brother. Vyasa agreed to this request since it was sanctioned by custom. He said that the women should first be purified by observing for one year the vow to be prescribed by him. Only after that he would give them children. Satyavati pleaded with him to do it immediately since the Kuru race had been without a heir for sometime. If conception must take place this month, Vyasa replied, then the queens of Kashi must be willing to bear my ugliness, strong odor and matted locks. If they can perform these austerities, then they will give birth to noble children. Let one of the queens

After Amba left Hasthinapura in pursuit of vengeance against Bhishma,  back in the palace The marriage between Vichitravirya and the other two girls Ambika and Ambalika was performed.Vichitravirya lived a happy life in the company of his two wives for seven years. After this period, he was inflicted by a disease and he soon died. Satyavati was plunged into grief not only by the death of her two sons but also by the fact that the Kuru race was left with no heir, the only surviving prince Bhishma having renounced his right to become a king and Bahlika, elder brother of Santhanu unwilling to leave Bahlika Kingdom, thus there was a succession crisis in Hastinapur. Ambika and Ambalika were also greatly overwhelmed at the untimely death of their husband. Upon realizing a kingdom without a King would not prosper and the possible extinction of the dynasty, Satyavati approached Bhishma requesting him, The perpetuation of the Kuru dynasty now depends on you. The wives of your brother, Ambali

While Bhishma making preparations for his brother wedding. The eldest princess of kashi, Amba summoned him to her presence and said, "O Prince! You have carried away the three of us by force from our father's kingdom and are trying to marry us to your brother. However, even before the Swayamvara, I was in love with Salya,  king of Saubha, whose life you spared in battle. I had fully resolved to choose him as my husband in the Swayamvara. Knowing this, and the path of Dharma, you will realize that I cannot marry your brother. Please do what you feel is right." Bhishma saw the force of her argument. He said, "You should have made this clear when I abducted you! However, it does not matter much. I will make arrangements for you to be escorted to the kingdom of Salya. I will dower you like I would have for a sister of mine. Have no fear, you will be able to marry Salya." In accordance with his promise, Bhishma sent Amba to the court of Salya, escorted by his c

As days passing Vichitravirya reached the age of marriage,  Satyavathi called bhishma and said, "O Prince, You have been the bedrock of our kingdom. My son and I are very much indebted to you for the protection that you have afforded us from our foes. I feel that my son is now old enough to marry. It is time that we sought a suitable alliance for him. What is your opinion?" Bhishma replied, "O Mother. I made a vow that I will protect you and your sons and establish their right to rule over the Kurus. I made this vow to forward my father's happiness. You owe me nothing. I do agree that it is time that my brother got married. I have just now heard that the King of Kashi is holding a Swayamvara gathering in which eligible suitors will be present. Either the princess chooses her husband out of her own free will, or her hand is awarded to the king who fulfills a challenge laid forth in the proceedings). His daughters are reputed to be very beautiful. They will make idea

 Devavratha(Bhishma) after reaching Hastinapura along with Satyavathi, Bhishma narrated the events to his father . Hearing this, King Shantanu was rendered speechless with his admiration for his son. He embraced his son and said, "O Bhishma, You have made such a great sacrifice for the sake of my happiness. As long as this world lasts, your fame shall remain undiminished. I grant you a boon that death shall not be able to approach you, till such a time that you yourself desire to die. Old age shall not slow your limbs, nor confuse your wits. You will be a matchless warrior all your life, watching over the welfare of the Kurus." In return, the King got his son's promise that as long as the Kurus were under a threat, Bhishma would not choose death. Prince Devavrata thus transformed himself into Bhishma, a man of sacrifice who would devote his entire life to safeguard the rulers of Hasthinapura. The marriage of Satyavati and Shantanu was duly celebrated. Two sons were

As Santhanu becoming listless day by day, Devavratha have been alarmed by these signs. The prince was very much troubled when he saw that some care was weighing heavily upon Shantanu's mind. Being the soul of tact, he did not want to ask his father directly. He was sure that his father would have confided in him, had confidence been possible. Instead, he questioned the charioteer and ministers of his father who accompanied to the places his father had visited recently. He at once perceived that among the places that his father had been recently, the only unusual place was that of the chief of the fishermen, Dhusharaj. He went there himself and upon beholding Satyavathi, immediately perceived that this maiden must be the cause of his father's listlessness. What he could not understand was that having fallen in love with this woman, why his father had not been able to take her as his wife. He met the Satyavathi's father and enquired as to why the marriage was

Four years after Ganga left her child Devavrata with King Shantanu, ruler of Hasthinapur, when Shantanu while travelling near the banks of Yamuna , he perceived a sweet fragrance. When he went in pursuit of this scent, he found that the fragrance was emanating from a young woman of exquisite beauty.  Santanu went to her and asked her who she was. She said that her name was Satyavati,  the daughter of the Chief of the  fisherme. Upon seeing her, Shantanu fell in love with her and desired to her. He immediately asked her to be his wife. Satyavati would not return an immediate answer, but asked the king to address this question to her father. When the chief of fishermen, Dhusharaj  returned shortly, the king requested his permission to pay his addresses to Satyavati. The fisherman thought for a while and said, "O King! I am very much honored that you have expressed a wish to marry my daughter. Indeed, it is impossible to think of a more worthy groom for her. However, there is

Since Uparicara (vasu), king of Chedi, gave the female child back to the fisherman Dusharaj (also a ferryman) on the banks of the river Yamuna. As she was born from a fish, she had an odor of fish, naming her Matsya-gandha ("She who smells like fish"). The fisherman raised the girl as his daughter and named her Kali ("the dark one") because of her complexion. Over the course of time, Kali earned the name Satyavathi ("truthful"). The fisherman was also a ferryman, ferrying people across the river in his boat. Satyavathi helped her father, the fisherman, in his job and grew up into a beautiful maiden. One day the great sage Parasara, who was the grandson of sage Vasishtha (Manasa Putra of Lord Brahma), was travelling and in the course of his travels came wanted to cross the river and availed himself of her services to ferry across the river. While she was rowing the boat the sage asked from where the fishy smell was coming and Satyavathi confessed th

 Apsaras are celestial nymphs, the dancers in the court of Indra, the king of the Devas. All of them are extremely beautiful and skilled in both dance and music. They are many in number, and the most famous are Rambha, Menaka, Urvashi, Tilottama and Ghritachi. Other nymphs who are mentioned in the Puranas are: Mishrakesi, Vapu, Viprachitti, Purvachitti, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Viswachi, Rithisthala, Umlocha, Pramlocha, Swayamprabha,Janapadi , and Adrika . Believed to have sprung forth from the ocean-of-milk when it was churned by the Devas and Asuras. They are closely associated with the Gandharvas, who are the celestial musicians. Some of the Apsaras are paired with a Gandharva , such as Tumburu with Rambha, and Menaka with Vishvavasu. But the relationship is temporary and is not a marriage tie. In addition to entertaining at Indra's court, they are often sent by him to disrupt the penance of sages, for Indra lives in perpetual fear that his position would be

Long ago, there was a king named Uparichara , also known as Vasu. He was a very valorous and virtues king. He was fond of hunting for sport. He belonged to the Paurava dynasty and he was also a friend of Indra . By his blessing, Vasu had conquered the kingdom of Chedi . He was also in the habit of visiting Indra in heaven, riding his crystal chariot in the sky. (Since he wandered in high places, he got the name of Uparichara). After a while, he decided to gave up his royal way of living, and gave up the use of weapons. He retreated to a secluded forest and indulged in severe penances and austerities. When the Devas beheld this, they were worried. Their king Indra became afraid that Uparichara was performing this penance to obtain his post. So the Devas led by Indra approached the king, and by soft speeches, succeeded in turning his heart away from ascetism. They promised him eternal friendship and great bliss in heaven, if only he would give up his present way of life. According

One day, as Shantanu was wandering along the bank of the Ganges, he came across a region frequently visited by Siddhas and Charanas . There he saw a lovely maiden of blazing beauty and decked with celestial ornaments, and attired in garments of fine texture that resembled in splendour the filaments of the lotus. With steadfast gaze he seemed to be drinking her charms, but repeated draughts failed to quench his thirst. Enchanted by her looks, he approached her and asked her who she was and asked her to marry him. She agreed but with one condition that Santanu would not ask any questions about her actions. Shantanu accepted her condition and married her, without knowing her identity. She conducted herself with dignity and the couple had a happy living. After sometime, a child was born to them. Immediately after giving birth to the child, Ganga carried the child to the Ganga and drowned it in the river. Though shocked by this cruel act, Shantanu had to restrain himself from qu

About this time King Pratipa, the ruler of Hastinapur and the light of the Kuru race, was engaged, along with his wife Sunanda, in austerities from desire of offspring. King Pratipa, had sons name Devapi and Bahlika . As they had grown old, a son was born unto them. The child was called Santanu (incarnation of Mahabhishak) because he was born when his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances. Santhanu, knowing that region of indestructible bliss can be acquired by one's deeds alone, became devoted to virtue. When Santanu grew up into a youthful man, Pratipa addressed him and said, "Some time ago, O Santanu, a celestial damsel came to me for your good. If you meet that fair-complexioned one in secret and if she solicit you for children, accept her as your wife. Judge not of the propriety or impropriety of her action and ask not who she is, or whose or whence, but accept her as your wife at my command!". Pratipa, having thus commanded his son