M220 - Pandu's Life in the Forest

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 sons who would continue the tradition of performing rites for the deceased., and the debt to the fellow human beings  should be repaid by leading a humanitarian life and by ensuring that one doesn’t do anything that will offend other people. I believe that I have discharged my debt to the other three but not to my ancestors. My inability to beget children has kept me from fulfilling my debt to my ancestors.”

The Sages said they were able to foresee Pandu having children and advised him to deliberate on getting children.

Reflecting on what the sages had said, Pandu called Kunti and spoke to her in privacy.”Kunti, it is said that charitable actions, austere practices and vows observed do not confer religious merit on a person who has no sons.  The vedas mention six kinds of sons. 1) the son  born to one’s wedded wife. 2) the son begotten upon one’s wife  by an accomplished person motivated by kindness. 3) the son begotten upon one’s wife by a person for  pecuniary consideration. 4) the son begotten upon the wife after the person’s death. 5) the son born to a maid and 6) the son born of an unchaste wife. Manu has said that a person unable to raise an offspring of his own can have offspring begotten upon their wives by others.

There is a story of the daughter of Saradandayana who was asked by her husband to raise offspring. That warrior-dame, on a night  during her monthly season, went out and stood on a spot where four roads met. When she saw a Brahmin of ascetic powers, she solicited him and requested him to raise offspring for her husband.  After performing the purifying ceremony called Punsavana, she united with that Brahmin and brought forth three sons who became mighty warriors and of whom Durjaya was the eldest.  I command you to follow the example of that lady and raise offspring for me.”


Kunti replied, “ O king, as your wedded wife, I will beget children only through you. Please embrace me. You may die after the intercourse because of the sage’s curse. I will also leave this world and join you after delivering the children. I can’t even imagine being in the embrace of any other person."

She then narrated the story of  King Vyushitaswa.Vyushitaswa was a king of the Puru race. He had a wife by name Badra. Vyushitaswa conquered many kingdoms and performed the Aswameta Yaga (the horse sacrifice). However Vyushitasa was often intoxicated  by drinking the Soma (the liquor of celestials). He also enjoyed the company of many women when he was intoxicated. He soon died of a disease that resulted from sexual excesses. His wife Badra, holding on to the corpse of her husband cried, “A woman has no life after her husband leaves her. Please take me with you. Otherwise I will lie down on the Kusa (grass) and starve to death.” She then heard a voice apparently emanating from the corpse. “Lie down with me on my bed on the 8th or 14th day of the moon.”   She did accordingly. Seven children were born to her through her dead husband.

After narrating this story, Kunti  told Pandu “You can also beget offspring on me as Vyushitawa did.”

Pandu replied, “What you said is true. But Vyushitasa was like a celestial. I don’t have the powers that he had.  In the olden days women were confined within their houses. They were free to move about. They did not have to live with one husband. A woman having relationship with more than one person was not considered sinful. This practice was sanctioned by the sages. This is still being followed by certain kings, belonging to our race. The present system of a woman being confined to one husband for life was established later.’

Pandu narrated to her the story of sage Uddalaka.  Once, Uddalaka was sitting with his wife and son Swetaketu. At that time, a Brahmin came to their place, pulled the hand of Uddalaka’s wife and took her with him. Swetaketu was angered by this but his father told him that a woman was  free to leave her husband and live with another man. However, Swetaketu disapproved of this practice and established the present practice. As per the practice established by Sweataketu and being followed now, not adhering to her husband would be sinful for a woman.  Men violating a chaste wife would also be guilty. A woman who refuses to raise offspring as commanded by her husband would also be committing a sin.”


Pandu continued “Madyanti, the wife of Sudasa raised(born) offspring through Sage Vasishta as commanded by her husband. We three (Dritharashtra, Vidura and Pandu) were also raised by Sage Vyasa, for the perpetuation of the Kuru race. Since I have been deprived of the power of procreation, you should listen to my plea.”


Kunti then told Pandu of the boon given to her by Sage Durvasa. She said she would invoke the celestial chosen by Pandu. Thus to which Pandu felt relieved for finding a way to raise offspring.