1 Prologue: The Prophecy
In Hastinapura,
The king of Hastinapura named King Vichitravirya, a prominent figure in ancient Indian mythology. Vichitravirya was the ruler of the Kuru dynasty and the kingdom of Hastinapura. He played a significant role in the lineage and succession of the kingdom.
Vichitravirya was born to King Shantanu and Queen Satyavati. He had two half-brothers, Bhishma and Chitrangada, from his father's previous marriage. After the death of King Shantanu, Vichitravirya ascended the throne and became the king of Hastinapura.
As the king, Vichitravirya was known for his valor and prowess in warfare. He was revered for his administrative abilities and his commitment to upholding justice and maintaining the welfare of his subjects.
However, Vichitravirya's reign was cut short, as he died prematurely without leaving an heir to the throne. This event led to a succession crisis within the Kuru dynasty and set the stage for the events that unfolded in the Mahabharata epic.
He has three sons named Pandu , Dhitrastra and Vidur. Dhitrastra was blind from birth so Bhisma who is responsible for protection of Hastinapura named pandu as king.
One day, while hunting in the forest, he mistook a sage and his wife for deer and accidentally killed them with his arrow. Consumed by guilt and remorse, Pandu renounced his kingdom and embraced a life of penance.
The sage's father, who possessed great spiritual powers, witnessed the tragedy and cursed Pandu. He prophesied that Pandu, who had taken the life of a Brahmin, would face the same fate if he ever engaged in physical intimacy with his wives. This curse left Pandu incapable of bearing children and brought immense sorrow to his life.
The curse of Pandu had far-reaching implications. It not only shattered his dreams of having an heir but also impacted the succession of the kingdom of Hastinapura. Pandu's inability to father children prompted the involvement of Kunti, his first wife, in the practice of "Niyoga," which allowed her to bear children through divine boons.
The curse affected Pandu's psyche, as he was plagued by the guilt and regret of his past actions. It also played a significant role in shaping his decisions during his time in exile and his subsequent interactions with his wives and children.
Kunti's boon is a divine gift bestowed upon her by the sage Durvasa. It granted her the ability to invoke gods and conceive children with them through a sacred mantra. This boon played a significant role in shaping the lineage of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata epic.
According to the mythological narrative, Kunti received the boon when she was a young princess. Impressed by her hospitality and humility, the sage Durvasa gifted her with a powerful mantra that allowed her to summon gods and have children with them.
There is prophecy left by great saint ved vyasa that a child who will possess extraordinary qualities and abilities, destined to become a legendary warrior. It predicts that this warrior will excel in archery and possess unrivaled skill with the bow and arrow, surpassing all others in the mortal realm.
Furthermore, the prophecy suggests that this warrior will embody noble virtues, such as courage, honor, and righteousness. They will rise as a beacon of hope and lead by example, inspiring others with their unwavering dedication to justice and duty.
The prophecy often highlights the divine lineage of this warrior, emphasizing their connection to the gods. It indicates that they will be blessed with divine favor, guidance, and occasional interventions from celestial beings throughout their journey.
