Apasmāra

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 ang...

 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, th...

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, Am...

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...