The Marriage of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari

Fifteen years before the birth of Karna, as Dhritarashtra reached the age of marriage, Satyavati approached Bhishma with a heartfelt request. Recognizing that Dhritarashtra was soon to ascend the throne of Hastinapura, Satyavati emphasized the need for a suitable queen who could shoulder the immense responsibilities of royalty.

She urged Bhishma to search for a bride who possessed the grace, wisdom, and strength to fulfill the duties of a queen and stand as a pillar of support for Dhritarashtra and the kingdom.

When Bhishma, the patriarch of Hastinapura, began searching for a bride for Dhritarashtra, he sought an alliance that would strengthen the Kuru dynasty. His gaze turned to the kingdom of Gandhara, ruled by King Subala, a powerful monarch whose territory lay in the northwestern regions of Bharatavarsha.

Gandhara's strategic location, wealth, and military strength made it a desirable ally. Gandhari, King Subala's daughter, was renowned for her beauty, intelligence, and virtue, and Bhishma deemed her a perfect match for Dhritarashtra.

Bhishma traveled to Gandhara to propose the alliance. King Subala, though initially hesitant to marry his daughter to a blind prince, was eventually persuaded by Bhishma's arguments about the strength and glory of the Kuru dynasty.

Subala agreed, but the decision did not sit well with his son, Shakuni. Furious at what he perceived as an insult to his family, Shakuni vowed vengeance against Hastinapura for what he saw as a deliberate humiliation.

Despite King Subala's agreement, tensions escalated when Shakuni openly challenged the proposal, claiming that Gandhari's hand should go to a more fitting suitor. The court of Gandhara became divided, with some nobles supporting Shakuni's stance and others siding with Subala.

To resolve the matter, Shakuni and his loyal supporters declared war against Hastinapura, hoping to prevent the marriage through force.

Bhishma, upon hearing of Shakuni's rebellion, prepared Hastinapura's forces for battle. The war between Gandhara and Hastinapura was short but intense, as both sides deployed their finest warriors.

Bhishma himself led the Kuru army, his legendary skills on the battlefield proving decisive. The warriors of Gandhara, though brave and determined, were no match for Bhishma's might and strategy.

The battle claimed many lives on both sides. Several of Gandhara's prominent warriors fell, and the losses deeply wounded King Subala. Shakuni's forces were ultimately defeated, and he was captured.

Despite his anger, Bhishma chose to spare Shakuni's life, hoping to avoid a permanent rift between the two kingdoms. Shakuni was forced to bow to Hastinapura's will, and the marriage between Dhritarashtra and Gandhari was finalized.

As preparations for the wedding began, Gandhari learned of her future husband's blindness. Rather than lament her fate, she made a decision that would become a testament to her unwavering devotion.

On the morning of her wedding, Gandhari blindfolded herself, vowing to share her husband's world of darkness. She declared, "If my lord cannot see the world, I shall not see it either. His destiny shall be mine, and I shall stand by him in every way."

Her act stunned her family and the people of Gandhara. King Subala and Queen Sudarma wept, both in sorrow for their daughter's self-imposed sacrifice and in pride for her nobility.

Shakuni, however, was enraged, viewing the act as further proof of Hastinapura's injustice. In his heart, he swore an oath to avenge his sister's perceived humiliation.

The wedding of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari was a grand affair, held in Hastinapura with great pomp and splendor. The city was adorned with flowers, banners, and golden decorations. Musicians played joyous tunes as the people gathered to witness the union of the blind prince and the princess of Gandhara.

Dhritarashtra, though blind, was deeply moved by Gandhari's sacrifice. He welcomed her with warmth and gratitude, promising to honor her as his equal and partner in life. Gandhari's arrival in Hastinapura marked the beginning of her journey as the queen of the Kuru dynasty, a role she embraced with grace and dignity.

Gandhari began her penance shortly after her marriage to Lord Shiva. She was deeply devoted to Lord Shiva and sought blessings to become the mother of a hundred sons to strengthen her bond with Dhritarashtra and fulfill the legacy of the Kuru dynasty.

Gandhari was naturally endowed with blessings. When the great sage Vyasa visited Gandhara (her homeland) during her early years, he was pleased with her devotion and conduct. He blessed her, saying she would become the mother of a hundred sons.

Gandhari's penance involved deep meditation, fasting, and prayers to Lord Shiva. She withdrew from the luxuries of palace life, focusing entirely on seeking divine blessings. Her dedication moved even the gods. After years of austerity, Lord Shiva appeared before her, impressed by her devotion.

When Shiva appeared, Gandhari expressed her wish to have a hundred sons who would be strong, powerful, and capable of protecting the Kuru dynasty. Lord Shiva granted her wish, promising that she would indeed become the mother of a hundred sons.