Paandu Goes For Praayashchit (Repentance)

As Paandu came back to Hastinaapur, he went to greet Dhritraashtra. He told the whole episode of Kindam Rishi to him. Gaandhaaree once said - "You cannot kill Kindam Rishi, and you have no control on accidents." Dhritraashtra returned the crown to Paandu saying that "we will talk tomorrow in the court, Vidur will find some solution.".

When Paandu came to the court next day as king, it was decided that whatever it was, but the truth was that Kindam Rishi died and Paandu bagged the sin of Brahm Hatyaa. Dhritraashtra also said - "He died, but it was not by killing, so why punishment?" Vidur said - "This is an accident that is why he will have to do only Praayashchit, otherwise if this had been a killing then according to the country's law he should have prescribed death sentence to himself."

Paandu told his decision as he had already decided about himself for Praayashchit. Bheeshm said - "Because you were the only witness of this accident, you could hide this accident very easily, but you did not do so, for which Hastinaapur will always praise you." Paandu returned the crown to Dhritraashtra saying - "Now my elder brother will take care of the kingdom on behalf of me." And once more the crown came on the head of Dhritraashtra, but still it was not of Dhritraashtra. He was only the representative of Paandu.

Kuntee and Maadree also went to forest with Paandu. Paandu once stopped them from going to forest with him, saying that he had killed the Rishi so he had to do Praayashchit, then why they should go with him. But Kuntee said - "We are your Ardhaanginee (half body or better half). Without us you can neither do any religious activity nor any Praayashchit so we will go with you. We have not come here only to live in palaces but wherever you will go, we will go with you. Neither Raam's exile could have been completed without Seetaa, nor your Praayashchit will be completed without us." So the three came to bid farewell to Gaandhaaree, and Ambikaa and Ambaalikaa and then went to forest with Paandu.

Bheeshm was very much grieved with these happenings. He felt that once again the burden had come to his shoulders. He had to rule the kingdom again.

Shakuni congratulated Dhritraashtra - "Now you are on the throne and Paandu is in exile."

Paandu Gets Children

Paandu started passing his time in Satsang, Jap, Tap, Yagya etc. Several years passed. One day Paandu felt that until he will not pay the Brahm Rin or Pitra Rin (Brahmaa's Rin to be paid by producing children), he will not be able to go to Brahm Lok. Thinking thus he got worried because this was Kindam Rishi's Shaap that he will not be able to have children.

Kuntee found Paandu worried, so she asked him the reason of being worried. Paandu told her his worry and said - "This is Kindam Rishi's Shaap. I will have to bear the sin of living and dying without my Vansh (child)." Kuntee also got worried hearing this, but the then she recalled that she had Muni Durvaasaa's Mantra which could call any Devtaa and compel him to give her any Var she wished for.

Paandu got very happy to hear this and asked Kuntee to use that Mantra and call Dharm Raaj. Kuntee did so in the picturesque forest gardens of Satashring. Dharm Raaj came and went away after giving her a son. Aakaashvaanee said - "There is Dharm's part in this child, he will be a great religious and a truthful man, and will not move from battlefield, so Kuntee, name him Yudhishthir (Yuddh+Sthir).

Bheeshm informed and congratulated Dhritraashtra that a prince is born in Kuru Vansh. He is named Yudhishthir. Hearing this news, Dhritraashtra's all hopes were gone, but outwardly he said - "Please congratulate them on behalf of us." Gaandhaaree also got a bit sad hearing this, but she said only - "I had to have the child first, but as God wishes."

After one year, Kuntee called Pavan Dev. He also gave a son to her and went away. As Kuntee tried to give that child in Paandu's hands, he fell down from her hands on a rock. Both Paandu and Kuntee got frightened and worried for the child, but to their surprise the child was playing on the rock and the rock was cracked under him. Aakaashvaanee said - "Even the very brave people will tremble seeing him in battlefield, so Hey Kuntee, name him Bheemsen."

[After this Krishn was born. Krishn is the main character of Mahaabhaarat times. Without mentioning His story, one cannot proceed further, and it has a lot of material, so His childhood description has been given separately till he joins Mahaabhaarat's main story stream events. If you want to read about Krishn's birth and childhood now, then click here, otherwise click Next.]