01.115
Core-Pancharatra:Madri gets twins from Ashwini gods.
Vaiśampāyana said:
When the sons of Kuntī and of Dhṛtarāṣṭra were born, the daughter of the king of Madra spoke privately to Pāṇḍu.
O scorcher of foes, I have no grief with you, even if lacking virtue; nor do I ever consider myself inferior, O sinless one, being one worthy of the best.
O king, O joy of the Kurus, even on hearing that Gāndhārī bore a hundred sons, I did not feel such sorrow.
But this is my great sorrow — being childless despite equality; fortunately, my husband now has offspring through Kuntī.
If the daughter of the king of Kuntī were to beget offspring in me, it would be a favor to me and also bring benefit to you.
Indeed, I hesitate to speak to Kuntī because she is a co-wife; but if you are pleased with me, urge her yourself.
Pāṇḍu said:
This heartfelt intent has always turned in me, O Mādrī, yet I have not dared speak to you, whether with desire or restraint.
Knowing this to be your opinion, I will strive henceforth; I think that when I speak, she will surely accept my word.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Then Pāṇḍu said this to Kuntī in private: Do what is dear to the lineage and the world — bring forth progeny for my line.
For the sake of preserving my ancestral line and fulfilling my dear wish, O auspicious one, do this best of deeds.
Do a most difficult act for the sake of fame, as Indra attained dominion through sacrifices for the sake of glory.
Likewise, Brāhmaṇas learned in mantras perform severe austerities and approach their teachers for the sake of fame, O beautiful lady.
Likewise, all royal sages and Brāhmaṇas rich in austerity performed varied difficult acts for the sake of fame.
You, like a boat, carry Mādrī over, O faultless one, by sharing offspring; attain supreme fame.
Thus told, she said to Mādrī: Think of the deity just once; hence, a worthy child will be born to you without doubt.
Then Mādrī, having thought, mentally approached the Aśvins; they came and begot twins in her.
Nakula and Sahadeva, unmatched in beauty on earth, to them also the bodiless voice spoke.
Endowed with beauty, strength, and virtue, these two surpassed others and shone greatly with splendor, beauty, and wealth.
The inhabitants of Śataśṛṅga gave them names with devotion, deeds, and blessings, O lord of the people.
They named the eldest son of Kuntī as Yudhiṣṭhira, the middle one as Bhīmasena, and the third as Arjuna.
The Brāhmaṇas, delighted in mind, named the elder as Nakula and the other as Sahadeva, calling them sons of Mādrī. These best of the Kurus were born within a year.
Then Pāṇḍu again urged Kuntī for the sake of Mādrī. Pṛthā, always chaste, spoke to him in private, O king.
She invoked the pair only once and obtained them; thus I was deceived. I fear the misuse of this, for such is the fate of women.
I, being ignorant, did not know that invoking a pair yields two results. Therefore, do not appoint me again; let this be my boon from you.
Thus, five sons of Pāṇḍu, mighty and god-given, were born—famous enhancers of the Kuru lineage.
Endowed with auspicious traits, moon-like in charm, lion-proud, mighty archers with lion-stride, lion-necked, kings among men—they grew with divine might.
As they grew on the sacred Himālayan mountain, they caused wonder among the gathered great sages.
Those five and the hundred Kuru heirs all grew swiftly, like lotuses in water, enhancing the Kuru lineage.
