The Sons of Vyaasa

Shantanu’s Sons

In the Mahabhaaratha, Shantanu the Kuru king, became the consort of the divine Ganga. The son born of this union was named Devavrata, who was away from his father for sixteen years during which Ganga prepared him for the long life he was to live, by imparting the various arts and skills that a Kshatriya prince ought to possess, through various divine sages and scholars.

When Ganga handed over Devavrata to Shantanu, he crowned him prince, and father and son became inseparable as if to make up for the lost time.

When Shantanu became besotted with Satyavati*, a fisher-woman, and wanted to marry her, her father demanded that only the sons born to Satyavati become the rulers of the Kuru dynasty. Since Shantanu could not promise that, he became despondent.

*Achchoda was the spiritual daughter of Agnishvaata (belonging to the manes) who was reborn as Satyavati, and as whose son Naarayana manifested as Vyaasa, following her union with rishi Paraashara.

Devavrata unable to bear the pain his father was going through, found out the cause and made a promise to Satyavati’s father to forego his claim on the throne. Satyavati’s father was not impressed. A pushed Devavrata then made a terrible vow that he would never marry and would remain a celibate all his life! The heavens rained flowers and the skies resounded with the word “Bheeshma” referring to his terrible vow. Devavrata came to be known as Bheeshma, thenceforth.

In the course of time, Shantanu and Satyavati had two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya. The young Chitrangada was made the crown prince, but alas, he was not destined to live long. Challenged by a Gandharva of the same name, Chitrangada was killed in a battle.

Vichitraveerya spent a few happy years with his wives Ambika and Ambalika (princesses of Kasi) till disease ended his life prematurely.

A devastated Satyavati was most concerned about the continuity of the lineage and citing the law of Niyoga* requested Bheeshma to take the widows as his wives in order to produce heirs to the Kuru throne. Bheeshma refused to go back on his vow of celibacy, thus compelling Satyavati to turn the pages of her life’s book to an old, forgotten chapter.

*a socially approved custom of unemotional sexual union of a widow and a man not her husband, in order to beget progeny

Vyaasa to the rescue

Satyavati had given birth to Krishna Dwaipayana, when she had ferried across a venerable sage Parashara, with whom she conceived and delivered a fully grown Vyaasa, who was none other than Naarayana himself.

Upon hearing his mother’s request, Krishna Dwaipayana or Vyaasa agreed, but asked for time for himself, to become less coarse in appearance, and for the princesses to fortify themselves with prayer and penance. But Satyavati was impatient.

Thus, a fierce looking Vyaasa, unkempt, with rough skin, matted locks and gaunt features approached Ambika. Ambika shut her eyes in disgust and the child born of the union was born blind.

After Ambika, it was Ambalika’s turn. When Vyaasa approached her, Ambalika blanched with fear. The child born of this union was pale and weak.

An unhappy Satyavati requested Ambika to go through the process once more. But Ambika, unwilling to do so, ordered a maid to take her place. The maid neither shrank with fear or disgust, nor shunned Vyaasa, and out of this union was born a well-balanced, intelligent child.

Thus were born the three sons of Vyaasa: Dhritrashtra, the blind; Pandu, the pale; and Vidura, the wise.

Vidura, the wise

Vidura went on to become the prime minister and the eyes of the blind king Dhritrashtra. Despite constant admonishments by Vidura, Dhritrashtra bore affection for his brother (as did Pandu). The Pandavas were extremely fond of their uncle. But the same could not be said of the Kauravas. Duryodhana disparagingly referred to him as the son of a maid and held him in contempt.

To be continued...