Reading Notes: Epified Mahabharata, Part B

Image information: Kunti praying, Image credit: Indus.Heartstrings

          In my favorite episode “Sons of Pandu” from Epified Mahabharata videos, my favorite character is most likely Kunti, the daughter of Shurasena as well as Kuntibhoja. She was married to King Pandu of Hastinapur, and mothered his first three sons: Yudhishthira, Bhutan, and Arjuna. She was also a step-mother to the two sons of King Pandu and Madri, Nakula and Sahadeva.
          In her early life, before she was married to King Pandu, her father entrusted his daughter to his cousin, Kuntibhoja because he was able to have children of his own. With that being said, Kuntibhoja loved her and raised her as his own. One day, the sage Durvasa visited Kuntibhoja to seek for his hospitality, and the king entrusted the sage to Kunti’s care. Taking care of him and making sure that all his needs are met, the sage was more than grateful for her hospitality. Therefore, in order thank her for her efforts, the sage rewarded Kunti by teaching her a mantra that would enable her to call upon any god of her choice to bless her with children. Curious, Kunti called upon the god Surya, and was impregnated by the god. Ashamed that the public would disgrace her for having a child out of marriage, Kunti had to abandon her son, who will later be known as Karna.
          After a curse was placed on King Pandu that he could not make love to his wives or he would die, Kunti reveals only half her secret to her husband. She tells him about the mantra, who was over joyed by this news. Summoning the gods, Kunti bore the first three sons for King Pandu: Yudhishthira, Bhutan, and Arjuna. After the birth of her three sons, Kunti made it clear that would not mother any more sons. Despite Pandu’s plea to give him more sons, Kunti refused to use the mantra again. However, Madri was still without children, and Kunti promised that she would help her become a mother, in which she would later bear two sons: Nakula and Sahadeva.
          One day, returning from the forest, Kunti found king Pandu dead by Madri. He couldn’t help himself and forced himself upon Madri in the moment of passion. Soon, Madri followed him into the fire as he burned, and joined him with death.
          In this story, I think that Kunti was an extremely kind and an understanding character. She took Madri’s sons into her own care and raised them like her own. She was able to return home to Hastinapura, and brought along with her the five sons of Pandu.