The Marriage of Pandu and Pandu's curse

The story of Pandu’s marriage to Kunti and Madri is one of both joy and tragedy, laying the foundation for the birth of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. Pandu, the younger son of Ambalika and Sage Vyasa, became the king of Hastinapura after his elder brother Dhritarashtra was deemed unsuitable for the throne due to his blindness. Trained under the guidance of Bhishma and the other elders of Hastinapura, Pandu grew into a skilled warrior and wise ruler, beloved by his people.

### Pandu’s Marriage to Kunti

As Pandu came of age and assumed the throne, Bhishma, his uncle and the protector of the Kuru dynasty, sought a suitable bride for him. Bhishma was determined to strengthen the kingdom’s alliances, and he chose Kunti, the daughter of King Shurasena and the adopted daughter of King Kuntibhoja, as a perfect match. Kunti was known for her beauty, strength, and devotion, qualities that made her an ideal queen.

Kunti’s early life had been marked by divine encounters. She had once served the sage Durvasa with great dedication, and as a reward, he blessed her with a powerful mantra that allowed her to invoke any god and be blessed with a child. However, Kunti kept this boon a secret, uncertain of when or how it would come to play a role in her life.

Kunti and Pandu’s marriage was celebrated with great joy and festivity, symbolizing the union of two powerful royal families. As queen, Kunti won the admiration of the people with her kindness and wisdom. She and Pandu shared a close bond, and Pandu found comfort in her company, valuing her counsel and support.

### Pandu’s Marriage to Madri

After his marriage to Kunti, Pandu’s duty as a king led him to form another strategic alliance. Bhishma, ever vigilant of Hastinapura’s needs, advised that Pandu marry Madri, the beautiful princess of the Madra kingdom. This alliance would strengthen the ties between Hastinapura and the powerful Madra kingdom, further securing the Kuru dynasty’s influence. Pandu respected Bhishma’s wisdom and agreed to take Madri as his second wife.

Madri was a woman of remarkable beauty, grace, and charm. She complemented Kunti’s qualities and was accepted warmly by Kunti and the people of Hastinapura. Though Kunti was the first queen, both women shared a respectful relationship, bound by their roles as queens of Hastinapura and as wives of Pandu.

Pandu’s life seemed blessed. He had two devoted wives, and his kingdom was thriving. However, fate took a dark turn due to an unfortunate encounter in the forest.

### The Curse of Pandu

One day, Pandu went hunting in the forest, a favored activity among Kshatriya kings. During his hunt, he spotted two deer in the distance and, without fully observing, shot an arrow that struck both animals. However, to his horror, the deer transformed into a sage named Kindama and his wife, who had assumed the form of deer to spend time together. Mortally wounded, the sage rebuked Pandu, explaining that they were a couple seeking solace in nature, away from worldly life.

In his dying moments, Sage Kindama cursed Pandu. He declared that if Pandu ever approached his wives with the intention of intimacy, he would die instantly. This curse devastated Pandu, as it robbed him of the hope of fathering children and left him feeling deeply remorseful. He returned to Hastinapura, burdened with guilt and fear, and shared the details of the curse with his wives, Kunti and Madri. Understanding the weight of the curse, Pandu decided to abdicate the throne and live a life of penance in the forest, seeking atonement for his actions.

Kunti and Madri, unwavering in their loyalty, accompanied Pandu to the forest, leaving behind the comforts of palace life. Both queens were deeply devoted to Pandu and accepted the hardships of forest life as their duty.

Pandu’s Tragic Death

Although Pandu was filled with joy at having five noble sons, his longing for a normal life with his wives remained unfulfilled due to the curse. One day, overcome by passion, he approached Madri, momentarily forgetting the curse in his desire. Tragically, the curse took effect, and Pandu died in Madri’s arms.

Madri, devastated by Pandu’s death and feeling responsible for his end, chose to perform *sati*, sacrificing her life on his funeral pyre. She entrusted her sons, Nakula and Sahadeva, to Kunti’s care, asking her to raise all five Pandavas as her own.

Thus, Kunti returned to Hastinapura with the five Pandavas, fulfilling her duty to raise them according to the principles of dharma. The story of Pandu’s marriages to Kunti and Madri is a tale of love, loyalty, and the tragic consequences of fate. Through Kunti and Madri’s devotion and Pandu’s determination to atone for his sins, the Pandavas came into the world, destined to play crucial roles in the Mahabharata and the ultimate battle for righteousness.