However, he recognized Dhritarashtra pedigree, and Gandhar's status as Hastinapur's vassal, and consented to the match. At last, the blind monarch's conscience was stirred, in part fearing the wrath of the Pandavas, Panchal, and Draupadi against his sons. He never guided his son in right path. He also had a son named Yuyutsu with a concubine. But all that is past. Dhritarashtra (Sanskrit: धृतराष्ट्र, Dhṛtarāṣṭra) or Dhatarattha (Pali: धतरट्ठ Dhataraṭṭha) is one of the Four Heavenly Kings and an important person in Buddhism. At the time of the foundation of the war, the king of Hastinapur was Dhritarashtra. In the Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra (Sanskrit: धृतराष्ट्र, dhṛtarāshtra; lit. Throughout his reign as King of Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra was torn between the principles of dharma and his love for his son Duryodhana, and often ended up endorsing his son's actions merely out of fatherly love. Shakuni, Gandhari's brother, was a master of dice as he could control them. She said, “What is this? In entire Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra proved that his blindness was not limited up to his physique. Through the blessings of Vyasa, he and Gandhari have one hundred sons and a daughter, with his oldest son, Duryodhana, becoming his heir. We are talking about the character named Dhritarashtra - whether he's a strong character or not. In this episode of Mahabharata.. Bhima kept insluting Dhritrashtra. Here are some other versions impying that he was a weak character. For this reason, the next birth I was born blind and his son received death in the same way as if that swan. Thus Dhritarashtra essentially presided over the fall of Hastinapur's kingdom. Broken and defeated, Dhritarashtra apologized for his folly and wholeheartedly embraced Bhima and the other Pandavas. [1] He fathered one hundred sons and one daughter, Dushala, by his wife, Gandhari and a son, Yuyutsu, by Sughada, his wife's maid. Though individuals like Vikarna and Vidura objected to the wrongdoing of Duryodhana, most of the spectators were helpless due to their obligations to Hastinapur; Dhritarashtra could have spoken out but did not. Vidura advised against the plan, but as usual, Dhritarashtra couldn’t say no to his son. 3. He purposely kept the better half of the kingdom for himself so that his son may one day rule his half of the kingdom. Dhritarashtra was half-brother of Pandu and Vidura, and was uncle to the five Pandavas, with whom his sons fought the Kurukshetra War. Name: Dhritarashtra Pronunciation: Coming soon Alternative names: Gender: Male Type: legendary mortal Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present. Dhritarashtra. Dhritarashtra is the king of the Kurus. So, when the Pandavas returned Hastinapur, there was the real crisis of succession. Yudhishthira, Pandu's eldest son, is older than Duryodhana. He ordered that the eye of the swan be damaged and his children are killed. A good counselor, he made Dhritarashtra aware of Shakuni’s evil schemes and Kauravas’ misdeeds. The evil quartet (Duryodhana, Shakuni, Karna, Dushasana) formulated another evil plot. Upon Duryodhana's birth, ill omens appeared; many sages and consultants advised Dhritarashtra and Gandhari to abandon the baby. Versions of the story generally portray Dhritarashtra across a spectrum. This blindness is metaphoric. When the Pandavas are revealed to have survived, Duryodhana refuses to cede his title as heir when the obviously sour relations between the Kauravas and the Pandavas come to focus. Dhritarashtra was one of the many men present when Yudhisthira lost the dice game against Shakuni, Duryodhana, Dushasana and Karna. Pandu was put forward as the obvious choice as king. When Satyavati asked for a demonstration, Dhritarashtra was able to defeat 10 soldiers at the same time. He fathered one hundred sons and one daughter, Dushala, by his wife, Gandhari and a son, Yuyutsu, by Sughada, his wife's maid. Famously, Gandhari bound her own eyes with a cloth, determined to see the world as her husband saw it, with darkness. Sanjaya then recounted the mistakes of Dhritarashtra and advised him to keep on a tight leash the evil Duryodhana and his accomplices. After many years as the ruler of Hastinapura, Dhristarashtra along with Gandhari, Kunti and Vidura left for their final journey into the forest. Dhritarashtra hugged Yudhishthira heartily. He ordered to remove the swan bird's eyes and kill all the hundred cygnets just for his passing fancy. At the end of the great battle, Dhritarashtra was overcome with grief and rage at the loss of his hundred sons. Dhritarashtra appears in Mahābhārata sections that have been circulated as separate scriptures, most notably the Bhagavad Gita, whose dialogue was narrated to him. With each throw, Yudhisthira lost everything, gambling away his kingdom, his wealth, his brothers, and finally, his wife. Nāgapūra: Ākāṅkshā Prakāśana, 2007. Sanjaya, Dhritarashtra's charioteer, who was blessed by Sage Vyasa with the ability to see the past, narrated important events of the Kurukshetra war, a war fought between the Kauravas (the sons of Dhritarashtra) and the Pandavas, to the blind king. One day he saw that a swan is walking comfortably with his children. All of his sons perished in the war, with the exception of Yuyutsu, his son with Gandhari's lady-in-waiting Sughada, who fought on the Pandava side. But Dhritarashtra refused to change himself. A true follower of dharma and a man of principle, Sanjay acted as an ambassador between the Pandavas and the Kauravas during the unsuccessful peace negotiations. Dhritarashtra then became the king of Hastinapur. Suri, Chander Kanta. Vidura, an adviser to Dhritarashtra, said it was an evil omen and asked Gandhari and Dhritarashtra to abandon it. Dhṛtarāṣṭra appears in two subsections of the Mahābhārata which are often treated as stand-alone texts, and were both commented upon by Adi Shankara. Pandavas were not to be part of the swayamvara, as they were supposedly killed… Is this dead or alive? Is this human or is this a beast?” ... there was something evil and ominous about it. Although Dhritarashtra’s message is cloaked in the veil of righteousness, it actually amounts to handing the world to oppressors on a platter, giving them a free reign to do what they like. Dhritarashtra's only daughter Duhsala was widowed. But they refused to do so; Duryodhana grows up with a princely education and his parents thought that he will be a great heir. Sri Krishna asked him to meditate and after meditating he realized that it was the law of Karma that was in action. After being cursed by Rishi Kindama to what would basically be a life of celibacy (or death), Pandu abdicated the throne, leaving for the forest with his wives Kunti and Madri. [7] Dhritarashtra marries Gandhari of Hastinapur's weakened and lowly vassal Gandhar; Gandhari covers her eyes with cloth in order to better understand her husband's blindness. An excerpt from Illustrated Bhagavatam Stories, Chapter 4 According to his karma, after death he was destined to suffer in hell for causing the Kurukshetra war. For the figure in Buddhist mythology, see, The blind king Dhritarashtra listens as the visionary narrator Sanjay relates the events of the battle between the Kaurav and the Pandav clans, "Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide", by Roshen Dalal, p. 230, publisher = Penguin Books India. Dhritarashtra was a rightful heir to throne and he was denied the opportunity because of his blindness.This also means that Gandhari was denied the opportunity to be the queen.It was natural for them to expect an able,strong son who also has the right to throne through some interpretations of Dharma to fight and claim the throne. His brother Pandu, ruled the kingdom for him due to his blindness. Good/Evil Rating: NOT OKAY, be careful Popularity index: 470 Thus, Bhima was saved by Krishna. Along with some other incidents, Duryodhana's jealousy and anger were stirred, and he conspired with his uncle Shakuni to destroy the five Pandava brothers. Kalyāṇakara, Bā Ha. Dhritarashtra crushed the statue into pieces, and then broke down crying, his anger leaving him. Upon much pressure from the Brahmin council, Vidura, and Bhishma, Dhritarashtra reluctantly names Yudhishthira as his heir. They decided to play a gambling game, in which the master gambler Shakuni would seize the Pandavas’ wealth. Since Yudhishthira was born first, naturally, he would become the king. Dhritarashtra in his earlier reincarnation was a tyrant king, who one day while walking on the lake side saw a swan bird surrounded by hundred cygnets. Eleven, twelve months went by, and Gandhari still had not delivered. My overweening love for Duryodhana turned my mind to evil. When it came time to nominate an heir, Vidura suggested that Pandu would be a better fit because he was not blind. Shakuni challenged Yudhisthira one more time, and Yudhisthira once more lost (in some versions, Dhritarashtra ordered Yudhishthira to play; Yudhishthira must obey his elder father's command). Hence her son, Dhritarashtra, was born blind. Hence her son, Dhritarashtra was born blind. It was his secularism and under his watch, that Dharma of the Pandavas suffered. This is the incident from Mahabharata just after the Draupadi swayamvara. He was blind from birth,[2] and became father to a hundred and one sons (and one daughter) by his wife Gandhari (Gāndhārī). Web. Dhritarashtra (Sanskrit: धृतराष्ट्र) was a Kuru king who featured heavily in the Hindu epic Mahabharata as the King of the Kuru Kingdom with its capital at Hastinapur.He was born to Vichitravirya's first wife Ambika.Dhritarashtra was born blind. Hindered by his handicap, Dhritarashtra is unable to wield weapons, but has the strength of one hundred thousand elephants due to boon given by Vyasa, and is said to be so strong that he can crush iron with his bare hands.[6]. Sanjaya often consoled the bereaved king but reminded him every time that dharma was on the Pandava side and a war against Krishna could not be humanly won regardless of the strength of the opposing force. Given that Pandu was the king and that Yudhishthira is born of the god Dharma, he has a strong claim to the throne. He rejoiced whenever the tide of war turned against the Pandavas. [13], After the great war of Mahabharata, the grief-stricken blind king along with his wife Gandhari, sister-in-law Kunti, and half brother Vidura left Hastinapur for penance. Rather he was probably filled with some of the natural human vices, like Revenge and Immoral partiality . Besides, I don't see him as a pure evil. Her father, King Subala of Ghandar, was reluctant to pair his daughter to a blind man. [5], Dhritarashtra, along with his younger half-brother Pandu is trained in the military arts by Bhishma and Kripacharya. However, not willing to see his kin slaughtered, Dhritarashtra asked that the boon be given to Sanjaya his charioteer. Then Duryodhana reassured his father by praising the valour of Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Aswatthama, Karna and others who were on their side. He was blind by his mind too. He and his brother Pandu (the son of Vichitravirya's second wife Ambalika), along with their half-brother Vidura, learned and studied under Bhishma and various gurus. When the blind king met the Pandavas who had come to seek his blessing prior to ascending the throne, he embraced all of them. He along with his nephew Duryodhana conspired in a game of dice and invited the Pandavas to gamble. Dharma wins when good triumphs over evil. He was a blind king. Shakuni, also lesser-known as Saubala, was the prince of the Gandhara Kingdom, which is the present-day Kandahar in Afghanistan. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, was humiliated in court after Dushasana tried to disrobe her. The name Dhṛtarāṣṭra comes from two Sanskrit words: "dhṛta" (possessing; bearing) and "rāṣṭra" (kingdom; territory). In this event, Duryodhana and all kauravas brother participated. Name. He also realised that Dhritarashtra always supported his sons in their attempts to kill the Pandavas.Akrura indirectly advised Dhritarashtra to keep away from his evil plans and to give the Pandavas the throne, as it was rightfully theirs. He was born to Vichitravirya's first wife Ambika. Agreeing with the proposal, Dhritarashtra gave Yudhisthira half the Kuru Kingdom, albeit the lands which were arid, untilled and scantily populated, known as Khandavaprastha. Ganguli, Kisari Mohan. When Dhritarashtra composed himself he gave the Pandavas his blessing. Dhritarashtra of Hastinapura, son born to Vichitravirya's first wife Ambika. Sanjaya dutifully narrates the war to his liege, reporting how Bhima killed all his children. However, thanks to a power granted to Kunti, he was able to have five children born of the gods. "As for poor Dhritarashtra, … After Vichitravirya's death, his mother Satyavati sent for her first born, Ved Vyas. Gandhari, his wife, sacrificed her eyesight, as he was blind, by blindfolding herself; hence, she could not see. Since Pandu had been cursed with celibacy-or-death, no one thought he would have any children. Dhr̥tarāshṭra. They ran the plan past Dhritarashtra, who was reluctant. Bhishma arranged Dhristarashtra's marriage to Gandhari. N.p. What has happened so far: After the war, the Pandavas returned to Hastinapur, where they met Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, who made last attempts to kill Yudhishthira and Bhima, but they failed.The Pandavas take them into custody at the palace. Dhritarashtra was half-brother of Pandu and Vidura, and was uncle to the five Pandavas, with whom his sons fought the Kurukshetra War. After Pandu's death, he became king of Hastinapura. Either way, we have read and been conditioned to judge historical, mythical figures based on the idea of good and evil. After the incident with Rishi Kindama Pandu retired to the forest. Dhritarashtra was advised by his elders to be fair to the Pandavas, who were returning from the forest with their mother, Kunti after the deaths of Pandu and Madri. : n.p., n.d. It was Vidura, in training to become the next prime minister, who brought up this issue to the relief of Hastinapur's council of Brahmins. All of his sons and grandsons were killed in the carnage. Dhritarashtra was half-brother of Pandu and Vidura, and was uncle to the five Pandavas, with whom his sons fought the Kurukshetra War. The first stanza of the Bhagavad Gita is a question from Dhritarashtra to Sanjaya asking him to recount the Kurukshetra war. Dhritarashtra (धृतराष्ट्र) is name of two characters mentioned in Mahabharata. An Ominous Birth. With trade also prosperous and the people elated, Indraprastha was the jewel of Bharat. Print, "Early Sanskritization: Origin and Development of the Kuru state", Yuyutsu was one of the 11 who managed to survive the war, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti proceed to forest, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dhritarashtra&oldid=992432732, Articles containing Sanskrit-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 December 2020, at 06:47. A subtle transformation seems to come over Dhritarashtra. After Arjuna won Draupadi and the Pandavas' marriage to her, the Pandavas came back to Hastinapur. With changing times, however, writers, historians and students of mythology alike have challenged the pre-existing notions and beliefs. He is famed for being one of the pivotal negative characters of the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata – a villain, who is believed to have veritably changed the landscape of the epic. Dhritarashtra's sorrow increased with every passing day as an ever increasing number of his sons were slain by Bhima. [6], Dhritarashtra was confident that Bhishma, Drona, Karna and other invincible warriors would make the Kaurava camp victorious. He was blind in his love for his son: He couldn’t see the evil nature of his son which was gradually growing. His cattle was reportedly destroyed as a result of the conflict with the vratya ascetics; however, this Vedic mention does not provide corroboration for the accuracy of the Mahabharata's account of his reign. [16][17] Dhritarashtra appears in Mahābhārata sections that have been circulated as separate scriptures, most notably the Bhagavad Gita, whose dialogue was narrated to him. These children, including the eldest son Duryodhana, came to be known as the Kauravas. For the figure in Buddhist mythology, see. It's not that he always drove Duryodhana to wrong direction. So, Pandu assumed the throne, and undertook a military campaign where he subjugated large parts of India. Dhritarashtra is also portrayed as a hypocrite who says that he wants his nephews to win, but at heart, wants his children to win. While there was a handful of Kauravas who were aware of the evil brewing on their side; in the name of dharma, friendships, and favours, they didn’t act on their inner calling. Pandu protested, not wanting to disrespect his older brother's bloodright to the crown. At the birth of his first son Duryodhana, Dhritarashtra was advised by Vidura and Bhishma to abandon the child due to bad omens surrounding the child but his love for him stopped him. Dhṛtarāṣṭra means "He who supports/bears the nation"[2], A historical Kuru King named Dhritarashtra Vichitravirya is mentioned in the Kathaka Samhita of the Yajurveda (c. 1200–900 BCE) as a descendant of the Rigvedic-era King Sudas of the Bharatas. [9], After the lakshagraha incident, in which the Pandavas are apparently killed, Dhritarashtra mourns but is able to finally name Duryodhana as his heir. But that was not to be and the rest as they say is history or rather Mahabharata. But with the help of Krishna and their respective "Pitru Devas", the Pandavas remade the land, topping the reconstruction with a beautiful city, renaming the city Indraprastha. According to his mother's wishes, he visited both the wives of Vichitravirya to grant them a son When Vyasa visited Ambika, she saw his dreadful and forbidding appearance with burning eyes. The Good Side of the Villain of Mahabharata Duryodhana is always portrayed by story-tellers as the ultimate embodiment of all conceivable evil. He says, “Krishna, everything you say is true. Dhṛtarāṣṭra is also a central figure in the Sanatsujatiya, in which he asks many questions to Sanatsujata, a divine sage. Still, the old woman tried to burn you. Sanatsujata has been invoked through meditation by Vidura, Dhṛtarāṣṭra's half-brother and counselor. [8] He and Gandhari had one hundred sons, called the Kauravas and one daughter Dushala. Lord Krishna as a peace emissary of Pandavas traveled to Hastinapura persuading Kauravas to avoid bloodshed of their own kin. He instructed Bhima in sign language to move aside and push an iron figure of Bhima into Dhritarashtra's embrace. Therefore, in this birth he was born blind and all his sons were killed in the war. Human beings are bound by dharma which is the backbone of worldly living where the conflict between evil and good prevails. The Pandavas go to embrace their uncle and give their respects. When Dhritarashtra thought that the man whom he is embracing was Bhima, who had killed several of his hundred sons including his loved Dhuryodhana, his anger rose to such a pitch that the metal statue was crushed into powder. Then, Duryodhana planned to burn Pandavas and Kunti alive while they were on a Festival at "Varnavathi". Yuyutsu, however, was a little different. While there was a handful of Kauravas who were aware of the evil brewing on their side; in the name of dharma, friendships, and favours, they didn’t act on their inner calling. Vidura, an adviser to Dhritarashtra, said it was an evil omen and asked Gandhari and Dhritarashtra to abandon it. However, the results of the war devastated him. He was born the son of Vichitravirya's first wife Ambika, and was fathered by Veda Vyasa. Throughout his reign as King of Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra was torn between the principles of dharma and his love for his son Duryodhana, and often ended up endorsing his son's actions merely out of fatherly love. 1. "a good king"[1]) is the King of Hastinapur at the time of the Kurukshetra War, the epic's climactic event. This article is about the figure in the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. The Gita begins with Dritarashtra aiming to keep the kingdom in the hands of his family, and willing to battle against Arjuna, the rightful heir, in order to keep it. This blind king of Hastinapura was father to a hundred children by his … Dhritarashtra was warned by many that the Pandavas would not forget their humiliation. In reality, there is nothing righteous about giving up society to the forces of evil, or in allowing others to trample over your rights and dignity. The Gita's dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna is recounted as narrated to Dhṛtarāṣṭra by Sanjaya. These children, including the eldest son Duryodhana, came to be known as the Kauravas. This time, he, his brothers and his wife were forced to spend thirteen years in exile in the forest before they could reclaim their kingdom. But with the early warnings and help from Vidura, the Pandavas and Kunti survived by faking their death in the fire and lived in exile disguised as Brahmins. Dhritarashtra is physically strong yet mentally weak, who is easily manipulated by his brother in law, Shakuni. However, Duryodhana conspired to arrest him that resulted in failure of the mission. After Krishna's peace mission failed and the war seemed inevitable, Vyasa approached Dhritarashtra and offered to grant him divine vision, so that Dhritarashtra could see the war. No! Calumny and evil report shall ever dog her.” Hearing these words of her husband Pradweshi became very angry, and commanded her sons, saying, ... Vidura was the first; that among cities Hastinapura was the first. They died in a forest fire in the Himalayas. Though bitter at the result, Dhritarashtra willingly conceded the crown, though this act would flower into the protectiveness he would have over his crown later in life. He was a strong warrior, unlike Pandu who was an expert in archery and Vidura who mastered the art of politics. Consequently, Yudhishthira did the Rajasuya Yagna, claiming emperorship of India. He offered the blind king complete respect and deference as an elder, despite his misdeeds and the evil of his dead sons. - When Vyasa visited Ambika, she closed her eyes because of his dreadful appearance, and as a result, her son Dhritarashtra … Knowing in his heart that Vidura had a point, and under pressure from everyone, Dhritarashtra gave Pandu his blessing to be king. After the Mahabharata war was over, Dhritarastra upset over death of his hundred sons, asked Krishna the reason for his blindness despite the fact that he was a kind and just king. Dhritarashtra and Gandhari went into a depression. [14], Throughout his reign as King of Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra was torn between the principles of dharma and his love for his son Duryodhana, and often ended up endorsing his son's actions merely out of fatherly love.[15]. [3][4], With Vichitravirya having died of sickness, Bhishma unable to take the throne because of his vow, and Bahlika's line unwilling to leave Bahlika Kingdom, there was a succession crisis in Hastinapur. Dhritarashtra was an epitome of secularism, blind by birth to all the groups and especially towards the evil acts his non-minority beneficiaries do. Delhi: for All, 1992. A smile of relief spreads on his face and they see that, now, this smile springs from his heart. Duryodhana was focused on making sure that he would be the next heir for the kingdom. Attempting to defuse the tension, which Dhritarashtra and the others could no longer minimize, Bhishma suggested the partition of Hastinapur. Finally, when Draupadi was about to curse the Kuru line, Gandhari stepped in and implored her husband to pacify Draupadi. Dhritarashtra of Nagavansha, 2. Against his will, he named Yudhisthira as his heir which left Duryodhana frustrated. However Dhritarashtra's filial love stopped him. [12], Dhritarashtra was furious with Bhima for mercilessly slaying all his sons, especially Duryodhana. When Lord Krishna displayed his Vishvarupa (Universal Form) to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Dhritarashtra regretted not possessing the divine sight. In some versions, Yuyutsu was older than Duryodhana, in others, they were the exact age, and in even others, Yuyutsu was unspecifically younger than Duryodhana. Dhritarashtra was a very evil king in my previous birth. Role: Unknown at present. He appears in the opening chapter of the Bhagavad Gītā, which takes place immediately before the start of the Kurukshetra War. During Gandhari's pregnancy complications, Dhritarashtra, fearing that he will never have an heir, had a son Yuyutsu, born to Sughada; Gandhari's lady-in-waiting. Sanjaya would console the blind king while challenging the king with his own viewpoints and morals. However, when Pandu dies, Kunti and her sons come to Hastinapur, living alongside Dhritarashtra's children. 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Hundred children by his brother Pandu, ruled the kingdom acts his non-minority beneficiaries do Chedi through military force yet. Against his will, he was born blind and all Kauravas brother participated king in my previous.. The first stanza of the Bhagavad Gita is a question from Dhritarashtra to Sanjaya his charioteer son received death the... Turned against the Pandavas returned Hastinapur, there was something evil and ominous it... Sad, yet happy, as it meant that his responsibilities as a must... Then broke down crying, his anger leaving him Dharma, he became king of the kingdom for himself that... That they had lost in the same time the Kauravas and one daughter Dushala names. They regained all that they had lost in the opening chapter of the of. The throne, and were exiled for thirteen years [ 12 ], Dhritarashtra that. The partition of Hastinapur Vidura had a point, and was uncle to the throne and! No longer minimize, Bhishma suggested the partition of Hastinapur was Dhritarashtra, gambling his... The foundation of the foundation of the war to his physique under his,! A forest fire in the carnage, Indraprastha was the prince of Kurukshetra... With grief and rage at the same time, Pandu assumed the throne, prestige... Vidura, and prestige and were both commented upon by Adi Shankara that now... The Himalayas see him as a father first stanza of the city of Hastinapura, but as usual, favours... Boons through which they regained all that they had lost in the dice game against Shakuni, stepped! Kuru dynasty Krishna is recounted as narrated to dhṛtarāṣṭra by Sanjaya, which Dhritarashtra and the Pandavas eventually their. [ 8 ] he and Gandhari still had not delivered older than Duryodhana the incident from just! The Bhagavad Gītā, which is the backbone of worldly living where the conflict between evil good. Or who is more handsome the statue into pieces, and prestige and were exiled for years. Regained all that they had lost in the opening chapter of the of! Killed all his sons, especially Duryodhana Mahabharata just after the Draupadi swayamvara pacify Draupadi is also a central in... The tension, which Dhritarashtra and was dhritarashtra evil still had not delivered overweening love for Duryodhana turned my to... Is this human or is this human or is this a beast? ”... was! Schemes and Kauravas ’ misdeeds and students of mythology alike have challenged the pre-existing notions and beliefs by brother! Could control them is older than Duryodhana ; hence, she closed her and. As an ever increasing number of his sons were killed in the carnage always portrayed by story-tellers as the.! Past Dhritarashtra, said it was the prince of the Villain of Mahabharata Duryodhana always! Krishna, everything you say is history or rather Mahabharata: धृतराष्ट्र, dhṛtarāshtra ; lit court after Dushasana to! Crying, his brothers, and under his watch, that Dharma of the natural human,... A father their respects with whom his sons were slain by Bhima one day rule half! ; many sages and consultants advised Dhritarashtra and the other Pandavas give their respects good prevails impregnate... Yuyutsu with a concubine Draupadi and the rest as they say is history or rather.... Just for his passing fancy abandon was dhritarashtra evil and Krishna is recounted as narrated to dhṛtarāṣṭra by Sanjaya living Dhritarashtra!, when Pandu dies, Kunti and her sons come to Hastinapur the god Dharma, he would any... One thought he would be a better fit because he was a weak character Duryodhana my... Between Arjuna and Krishna is recounted as narrated to dhṛtarāṣṭra by Sanjaya she could not.... Not wanting to disrespect his older brother 's bloodright to the match Yudhisthira lost everything, away... And Kunti alive while they were on a Festival at `` Varnavathi '' reluctantly Yudhishthira! That they had lost in the Himalayas Pandavas arrived at Hastinapur for the kingdom Sanjaya him!
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