Chapter 19: Gāndhārī’s hard mass is divided by Vyāsa into 101 embryos; jealousy underlies both Gāndhārī’s anguish and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s dynastic anxiety.
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_019_1]
Then, Janamejaya, a hundred sons were born to Dhritarashtra by Gandhari, and one more beyond the hundred by a Vaishya woman. (BORI: 1-107-1)
[PV-KDV:01_019_2]
Janamejaya said:
[PV-KDV:01_019_3]
How were a hundred sons born to Gandhari, best of brahmins? How long did it take, and what was the full extent of their lifespan? (BORI: 1-107-3)
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How did that one son of Dhritarashtra come to be born to a Vaishya woman? And how did Dhritarashtra disregard Gandhari, his well-matched and virtuous wife, who always sought to please him? (BORI: 1-107-4)
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Knowing how all this happened, tell me in detail, O rich in austerities; I never tire of hearing about my kinsmen. (BORI: 1-107-6)
[PV-OTH:01_019_6]
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_019_7]
When Dvaipayana came to her, utterly exhausted by hunger and fatigue, Gandhari satisfied him, and Vyasa granted her a boon. (BORI: 1-107-7)
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She chose for herself a hundred sons equal to her husband. (BORI: 1-107-8A)
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Then, in due course, she conceived a child by Dhritarashtra. (BORI: 1-107-8B)
[PV-KDV:01_019_10]
Gandhari carried that pregnancy for two full years without giving birth; then sorrow overcame her. (BORI: 1-107-9)
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Hearing that Kunti’s son had been born, radiant as the rising sun, and realizing that her own womb remained unchanged, she began to brood. (BORI: 1-107-10)
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Gandhari, overcome with grief, then induced a miscarriage with great effort, without Dhritarashtra’s knowledge. (BORI: 1-107-11)
[PV-KDV:01_019_13]
Then a compact mass of flesh, like an iron ball, emerged. She began to cast away what she had carried in her womb for two years. (BORI: 1-107-12)
[PV-KDV:01_019_14]
Then Dvaipayana, learning of this, came swiftly. That foremost of those who recite sacred texts saw the mass of flesh. (BORI: 1-107-13)
[PV-KDV:01_019_15]
Then he said to Saubaleyī, “What have you intended to do?” And she truthfully disclosed her intention to the great seer: (BORI: 1-107-14)
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When I heard that Kunti’s eldest son had been born, radiant as the sun, I was overwhelmed with grief and struck my womb. (BORI: 1-107-15)
[PV-PAN:01_019_17]
You once promised me a hundred sons, but this lump of flesh has been born to me in place of those hundred sons. (BORI: 1-107-16)
[PV-PAN:01_019_18]
Vyasa said:
[PV-PAN:01_019_19]
It is indeed so, daughter of Subala; it can never be otherwise. I have never spoken falsely, even in jest—how then could this be otherwise? (BORI: 1-107-17)
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Have a hundred pots filled with ghee prepared immediately, and douse this hard lump with cold water. (BORI: 1-107-18)
[PV-PAN:01_019_21]
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_019_22]
As it was sprinkled, that hard lump then divided into a hundred parts; the embryos, each separate and the size of a thumb joint… (BORI: 1-107-19)
[PV-KDV:01_019_23]
In all, O lord of the people, a full hundred and one formed in due order from the lump of flesh as time passed. (BORI: 1-107-20)
[PV-KDV:01_019_24]
He then placed those embryos in the jars, in well-protected places, and made arrangements for their protection. (BORI: 1-107-21)
[PV-KDV:01_019_25]
The Lord further instructed Saubali, “Once this much time has passed, these jars are to be opened.” (BORI: 1-107-22)
[PV-KDV:01_019_26]
Having said this and made the necessary arrangements, the wise Lord Vyasa departed for the Himalayas, the mountain range, to practise austerities. (BORI: 1-107-23)
[PV-KDV:01_019_27]
Duryodhana was born in this sequence; but judged by birth, King Yudhishthira was the eldest of them. (BORI: 1-107-24)
[PV-KDV:01_019_28]
As soon as that son was born, Dhritarashtra summoned many Brahmins, as well as Bhishma and Vidura, and said: (BORI: 1-107-25)
[PV-KDV:01_019_29]
Prince Yudhishthira, the eldest among us, perpetuates our line. He has attained the kingdom through his own merits, and we have nothing to say against him. (BORI: 1-107-26)
[PV-KDV:01_019_30]
But this one, next after him, will also become king. Tell me truthfully what is certain to happen in this matter. (BORI: 1-107-27)
[PV-KDV:01_019_31]
As these words came to an end, O Bharata, terrible beasts of prey and jackals howled in every direction, portending evil. (BORI: 1-107-28)
[PV-KDV:01_019_32]
Having observed all those dreadful omens, the Brahmins and the exceedingly wise Vidura said, O king: (BORI: 1-107-29)
[PV-PAN:01_019_33]
Clearly, this son of yours will bring your lineage to an end. Abandoning him will bring peace, but raising him will bring great disaster. (BORI: 1-107-30)
[PV-PAN:01_019_34]
O king, let your sons number ninety-nine. By sacrificing one, secure the welfare of both the world and your lineage. (BORI: 1-107-31)
[PV-PAN:01_019_35]
One should abandon an individual for the sake of the family, a family for the sake of the village, and the village for the sake of the realm; for one’s own sake, one should abandon the whole earth. (BORI: 1-107-32)
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Though Vidura and all those foremost Brahmins advised him accordingly, the king, bound by affection for his son, did not act upon their counsel. (BORI: 1-107-33)
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Then, O king, all one hundred sons of Dhritarashtra were born within the space of a month, as well as one daughter in addition to the hundred. (BORI: 1-107-34)
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While Gandhari was suffering from her growing womb, a Vaishya woman attended upon the mighty-armed Dhritarashtra. (BORI: 1-107-35)
[PV-KDV:01_019_39]
In that year, O king, the illustrious and wise Yuyutsu, a Karaṇa, was then born to Dhṛtarāṣṭra by that woman, O ruler. (BORI: 1-107-36)
[PV-KDV:01_019_40]
Thus were born to the wise Dhritarashtra a hundred heroic sons, all great chariot-warriors, and one daughter, Duhshala. (BORI: 1-107-37)
[PV-KDV:01_019_41]
Then the great seer had a hundred jars brought there... (KUMB: 1-129-37)
[PV-SVO:01_019_42]
After that length of time, the venerable sage again said to her, “When the pots split open, know, fair one, that they have been born.” (KUMB: 1-129-40)
[PV-SVO:01_019_43]
Those boys emerged from the jars one day after another, and their relative seniority was then determined by that same order. (KUMB: 1-129-42; KUMB: 1-129-43)
[PV-SVO:01_019_44]
This was then reported to Bhishma and to the wise Vidura. (NILA: 01.115.026)
[PV-SVO:01_019_45]
Then, O king, the moment he was born, that son of Dhritarashtra cried out and roared with a sound like a donkey’s bray. (KUMB: 1-129-69; NILA: 01.115.027; NILA: 01.115.028)
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Donkeys, vultures, jackals, and crows answered his cry. (KUMB: 1-129-70; NILA: 01.115.028)
[PV-SVO:01_019_47]
The winds also blew, and the quarters of the sky were ablaze. Then King Dhritarashtra, seeming frightened, said this: (KUMB: 1-129-71; NILA: 01.115.029)
[PV-SVO:01_019_48]
the other friends as well, O king, and likewise all the Kurus… (KUMB: 1-129-72; NILA: 01.115.030)
[PV-SVO:01_019_49]
When he was born, the omens foretold great evil. Therefore, Vidura, I tell you that fear suddenly seized me. (KUMB: 1-129-75)
[PV-SVO:01_019_50]
When these dreadful omens arose at the birth of your eldest son, O lord of men, O bull among men… (KUMB: 1-129-78; NILA: 01.115.035)
[PV-SVO:01_019_51]
This King Duryodhana, whose eyes are honey-brown, will bring about not only the end of the dynasty but also the end of the Kshatriyas. (KUMB: 1-129-80)
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King Dhritarashtra happened by chance to lie with her. (KUMB: 1-129-86)
[PV-SVO:01_019_53]
and Yuyutsu, the mighty and valiant son of a Vaishya woman… (KUMB: 1-129-88; NILA: 01.115.044)
[PV-SVO:01_019_54]
Janamejaya said:
[PV-PAN:01_019_55]
O lord, recount in order the names of Dhritarashtra’s sons and their relative seniority. (BORI: 1-108-1)
[PV-PAN:01_019_56]
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-PAN:01_019_57]
Duryodhana, Yuyutsu, O king, and Duḥśāsana; Duḥsaha, Duḥśala, Jalasandha, Sama, and Saha; (BORI: 1-108-2)
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Vinda and Anuvinda, Durdharsha, Subahu, Dushpradharshana, Durmarshana, Durmukha, Dushkarna, and Karna as well; (BORI: 1-108-3)
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Viviṃśati, Vikarṇa, Jalasaṃdha, Sulocana, Citra and Upacitra, Citrākṣa, Cārucitra, and Śarāsana; (BORI: 1-108-4)
[PV-PAN:01_019_60]
Durmada, Duṣpragāha, Vivitsu, Vikaṭa, Sama, Ūrṇanābha, Sunābha, and also Nanda and Upanandaka; (BORI: 1-108-5)
[PV-PAN:01_019_61]
Senāpati, Suṣeṇa, Kuṇḍodara and Mahodara, Citrabāṇa, Citravarman, Suvarman, and Durvimocana; (BORI: 1-108-6)
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Ayobahu, Mahabahu, Chitranga, Chitrakundala, Bhimavega, Bhimabala, Balaki, and Balavardhana; (BORI: 1-108-7)
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Ugrāyudha, Bhīmakarman, Kanakāyus, Dṛḍhāyudha, Dṛḍhavarman, Dṛḍhakṣatra, Somakīrti, and Anūdara… (BORI: 1-108-8)
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Dṛḍhasandha, Jarāsandha, Satyasandha, Sadaḥsuvāk, Ugraśravas, Aśvasena, Senānī, and Duṣparājaya. (BORI: 1-108-9)
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Aparājita, Paṇḍitaka, Viśālākṣa, Durāvara, Dṛḍhahasta, Suhasta, Vātavega, and Suvarcas. (BORI: 1-108-10)
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Ādityaketu, Bahvāśin, Nāgadanta, and Ugrayāyin; Kavacin, Niṣaṅgin, Pāśin, Daṇḍadhara, and Dhanurgraha… (BORI: 1-108-11)
[PV-PAN:01_019_67]
Ugra, Bhīmaratha, Vīra, Vīrabāhu, Alolupa, and the three—Abhaya, Raudrakarman, and Dṛḍharatha— (BORI: 1-108-12)
[PV-PAN:01_019_68]
Anādhṛṣya, Kuṇḍabhedin, Virāvin, Dīrghalocana, Dīrghabāhu, Mahābāhu, Vyūḍhoru, and Kanakadhvaja. (BORI: 1-108-13)
[PV-PAN:01_019_69]
Kuṇḍāśī and Virajā, and Duḥśalā in addition to the hundred—thus, O king, one hundred and one daughter have been named. (BORI: 1-108-14)
[PV-PAN:01_019_70]
Know, O king, that the order of their names is the order of their birth. They were all mighty chariot-warriors, all valiant, and all skilled in warfare. (BORI: 1-108-15)
[PV-PAN:01_019_71]
Those five, and the hundred as well—the perpetuators of the Kuru line—all grew in a short time, like lotuses in water. (BORI: 1-115-28)
[PV-KDV:01_019_72]
All were versed in the Vedas and skilled in the science of kingship; all were knowledgeable in the arts of social conduct and distinguished by learning and noble birth. (BORI: 1-108-16)
[PV-OTH:01_019_73]
O king, Dhritarashtra duly considered the matter and then, at the proper time, arranged suitable wives for all of them. (BORI: 1-108-17)
[PV-KDV:01_019_74]
At the proper time, O Bharata, the king gave Duḥśalā in marriage to Jayadratha, king of Sindhu, with Saubala’s consent. (BORI: 1-108-18)
[PV-KDV:01_019_75]
Pramatha, Pramāthin, and the valiant Dīrgharoman— (KUMB: 1-131-13; NILA: 01.117.013)
[PV-SVO:01_019_76]
Thus, O king, I have duly named the hundred sons, Yuyutsu as the one beyond the hundred, and the daughter Duḥśalā as well. (KUMB: 1-131-19)
[PV-SVO:01_019_77]
Bless the daughter of the king of Madra as well, gracious lady. (KUMB: 1-133-9)
[PV-SVO:01_019_78]
The law is indeed as you say, in accordance with the scriptures on law. Therefore, O delight of the Kurus, I shall grant her this favor. (KUMB: 1-133-15)
[PV-SVO:01_019_79]
Then, after that mantra had been duly employed in the prescribed rite, the king’s daughter bathed and got into bed. (KUMB: 1-133-17)
[PV-SVO:01_019_80]
In virtue, devotion, character, and humility alike… (KUMB: 1-133-19)
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The sons of Pandu shone like the five years. (KUMB: 1-133-24; NILA: 01.124.022)
[PV-SVO:01_019_82]
Great-spirited, mighty in valor, and endowed with immense strength and prowess. When Pandu saw those sons of his, godlike in form and immensely radiant… (KUMB: 1-133-25; NILA: 01.124.023)
[PV-SVO:01_019_83]
The king felt the greatest joy and rejoiced. To all the seers dwelling on Śataśṛṅga as well… (KUMB: 1-133-26; NILA: 01.124.024)
[PV-SVO:01_019_84]
They likewise became dear to the wives of the sages. (KUMB: 1-133-27; NILA: 01.124.025)
[PV-SVO:01_019_85]
Taking them in as soon as they were born, the ascetics dwelling on Mount Śataśṛṅga regarded Pāṇḍu’s sons as their own children. (KUMB: 1-133-34)
[PV-SVO:01_019_86]
Then all the Vrishnis, led by Vasudeva… (KUMB: 1-133-35)
[PV-SVO:01_019_87]
Frightened by the curse, Pandu went to Shatashringa. There, in the company of ascetic sages, he himself became an ascetic. (KUMB: 1-133-36)
[PV-SVO:01_019_88]
The king became an ascetic, living on greens, roots, and fruits, his senses restrained and wholly devoted to yoga and meditation—so the storytellers… (KUMB: 1-133-37)
[PV-SVO:01_019_89]
On hearing this, many of them, worn down by grief and full of affection for Pandu, would say, “When shall we hear news of him?” (KUMB: 1-133-38)
[PV-SVO:01_019_90]
Speaking thus, the Vrishnis and their kinsmen, all filled with joy on hearing that sons had been born to Pandu… (KUMB: 1-133-39)
[PV-SVO:01_019_91]
Congratulating one another, they said to Vasudeva, “The mighty sons of Pandu must not go without the proper rites.” (KUMB: 1-133-40)
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Seeking what would have pleased and benefited Pāṇḍu, send the family priest.” Saying, “So be it,” Vasudeva sent the family priest. (KUMB: 1-133-41)
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many kinds of equipment suitable for the princes and, having assigned a retinue of maidservants and menservants to Kunti and Madri… (KUMB: 1-133-42)
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He also sent cattle, gold, and silver, O Bharata. The priest gathered all these things and departed. (KUMB: 1-133-43)
[PV-SVO:01_019_95]
When the eminent Brahmin Kāśyapa, his priest, arrived, Pāṇḍu, conqueror of enemy cities, duly honored him. (KUMB: 1-133-44)
[PV-SVO:01_019_96]
Pritha and Madri rejoiced and praised Vasudeva. Then Pandu had all the rites for the Pandavas performed. (KUMB: 1-133-45)
[PV-SVO:01_019_97]
Kāśyapa performed all the rites, beginning with the conception ceremony, as well as the first tonsures, initiations, and the Upākarman ceremony, O Bhārata. (KUMB: 1-133-46)
[PV-SVO:01_019_98]
After their tonsure and initiation, all those illustrious, bull-eyed youths became thoroughly versed in Vedic learning. (KUMB: 1-133-47)
[PV-SVO:01_019_99]
Śaryāti’s eldest son was named Śukra, a scorcher of foes, who conquered the earth as far as the ocean by force. (KUMB: 1-133-48)
[PV-SVO:01_019_100]
Having performed a hundred great Aśvamedha sacrifices and propitiated all the gods and the ancestors as well, that great-souled, wise man… (KUMB: 1-133-49)
[PV-SVO:01_019_101]
At Śataśṛṅga he practiced austerities, subsisting on vegetables, roots, and fruit. Supplied by him with the finest equipment and strengthened by instruction… (KUMB: 1-133-50)
[PV-SVO:01_019_102]
Through his favor they mastered the science of arms. Bhima was a master of the mace, and Yudhishthira of javelins. (KUMB: 1-133-51)
[PV-SVO:01_019_103]
The two twins, foremost among the valiant, became proficient in sword and shield, while Savyasachi, the scorcher of foes, attained complete mastery of archery. (KUMB: 1-133-52)
[PV-SVO:01_019_104]
He was acknowledged by Śukra with the words, “This man is my equal,” O lord. Then, having granted permission, the king—a spear, a sword, and then arrows… (KUMB: 1-133-53)
[PV-SVO:01_019_105]
the foremost of subduers, a magnificent, radiant bow as tall as a palm tree, and Vipāṭha, Kṣura, and Nārāca arrows fletched with vulture feathers... (KUMB: 1-133-54)
[PV-SVO:01_019_106]
Delighted, he gave them to Pārtha, gleaming like great serpents. Having obtained all the weapons, Vāsava’s son rejoiced… (KUMB: 1-133-55)
[PV-SVO:01_019_107]
He considered all the kings no match for his own prowess. (KUMB: 1-133-56)
[PV-SVO:01_019_108]
Thus the enemy-subduing sons of Pritha, and likewise the two sons of Madri, followed one another at intervals of one year. (KUMB: 1-133-57)
[PV-SVO:01_019_109]
At what age did the Pandavas reach Gajasahvaya, and what was their final age when they joined the gods? (KUMB: 1-134-1)
[PV-SVO:01_019_110]
Hear now the ages of the Pandavas at that time, O joy of the Kauravas. Yudhishthira went to Hastinapura when he was sixteen years old. (KUMB: 1-134-2)
[PV-SVO:01_019_111]
Bhimasena went there at fifteen, Bibhatsu at fourteen, and the twins, both thirteen years old, went to Nagasahvaya. (KUMB: 1-134-3)
[PV-SVO:01_019_112]
There they lived for thirteen years with the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. After six months, they escaped from the house of lac, and Ghaṭotkaca was born. (KUMB: 1-134-4)
[PV-SVO:01_019_113]
having lived for six months in Ekachakra, one year in the house of the king of Panchala, and five years with the sons of Dhritarashtra, O Bharata… (KUMB: 1-134-5)
[PV-SVO:01_019_114]
They lived in Indraprastha for twenty-three years; then, defeated at dice, they passed twelve years and one more. (KUMB: 1-134-6)
[PV-SVO:01_019_115]
After ruling the earth as far as the ocean for thirty-six years and six months, O king, all those great souls, devoted to Krishna… (KUMB: 1-134-7)
[PV-SVO:01_019_116]
Having installed Parikshit as king, they attained their destined end. Thus Yudhishthira’s lifespan was one hundred and eight years. (KUMB: 1-134-8)
[PV-SVO:01_019_117]
The radiant Keshava was three months older than Arjuna, and the mighty Sankarshana was three months older than Krishna. (KUMB: 1-134-9)
[PV-SVO:01_019_118]