Paandu's Other Children, Paandu Dies and Paandav Come to Hastinaapur

Paandu's Other Children

After these two children were born to Kuntee, Gaandhaaree gave birth to a son. They named him Duryodhan. He was born on the same day as Bheem was born. Dhritraashtra was very happy. He called Vidur and said - "Paandu has already got a son who is a year older to my son, so he should be the rightful heir of the throne, isn't it? I am worried about one thing more, that when my son was born, certain omens were not auspicious, Can you explain me that?"

Vidur said - "These omens prophesy, that your son will be the cause of destruction of the entire world." Dhritraashtra was shocked hearing this, he asked - "How can I avert this calamity?" Vidur said - "There is only one way, that you should kill him for the sake of the family, for the sake of community, even for the sake of the world." Poor Dhritraashtra could not have done so, after all he was his first-born son. In course of time he had 101 sons and a daughter named Dushalaa.

Paandu's children were growing. After Yudhishthir and  Bheem he had Arjun from Indra Dev. Voice from Heavens said - "This child will bring Paandu an imperishable fame. There will be none like him." Then Indra came to Paandu - This son of mine will be the conqurer entire world. Your son Yudhishthir will perform Raajsooya Yagya and Ashwamedh Yagya with this son of mine by his side. My son is the other half of Vishnu, he is Nara. Krishn the son of Devakee and Vasudev is Naaraayan."

Kuntee taught her Mantra to Maadree too and she invoked Ashwinee Kumaar. They gave her twins - Nakul and Sahadev. The voice from the Heavens spoke once more - "These two sons will be the most handsome men in the world. They will be famous for their bravery, devotion and wisdom."

In the forest lived Shuk, the son of Sayyaati. There was no archer like him. He volunteered to train the youngsters in the use of arms. Gradually Paandav - as the five of them are called together, were proficient in using weapons. Yudhishthir was good at spear, Bheem was good at Gadaa (mace), Arjun became a good archer. Pleased with Arjun's skills in archery, Shuk gave his bow to him. Paandu spent 15 years with his sons happily.

Paandu Dies

At one time when spring season was on its height. One day Maadree was alone with Paandu. Paandu saw her, she looked enchantingly beautiful to him. Eighteen years had passed since Paandu sacrificed everything. But on that he could not control himself. His desires arose in his heart to have her. He forgot all about his Shaap. He showed his love to her. Although Maadree tried her best to stop him, but Kaal's game was like that and they got engaged in making love. According to Kindam Muni's Shaap, Paandu died.

Maadree explained Kuntee that she tried her best to stop him but could not stop him. Kuntee consoled her, that she should not consider herself responsible for Paandu's death, because whatever has to happen in whichever way, the same happens in the same way. When this was written in our fate, it had to happen in the same way.

Kuntee insisted that she would be Satee with Paandu because she was elder queen, but Maadree said - "No, You be here. Raajaa was in love with me at the time of death, so I will be Satee with him. Besides, my children have also grown up under your care, they don't know me well. You can take care of them more than me. You are their mother therefore your right on them is more than mine, that is why I will be Satee with Raajaa. Please take special care of my Sahadev." And Maadree became Satee with Paandu.

By chance Vasudev and Devakee were passing through that way. They stopped seeing all this. After the last rites of Paandu, they wanted to take Kuntee to Mathuraa, but the Braahman living there said to Vasudev - "Kuntee cannot go to Mathuraa, because she is still the Chief queen of Hastinaapur and now the queen mother also. We are the caretaker of her, so this is our responsibility to give her back to Hastinaapur. So Hey Raajan, You don't worry, we will take her to Hastinaapur. And if Hastinaapur allows you to take her to Mathuraa, then you can take her to Mathuraa from there." Vasudev and Devakee went away, And those Braahman took Paandu's widow Kuntee and his five sons to Hastinaapur.

Bheeshm, Dhritraashtra, Baahleek (Shantanu's brother), his son Somdatt, Vidur, Satyavatee, Ambikaa and Ambaalikaa, Gaandhaaree and others received Kuntee and Paandu's sons at the gates of the city. The Rishi told them the whole story of Paandu and Paandav's birth. Bheeshm was speechless with sorrow. Dhritraashtra arranged for the royal mourning and funeral rites of Paandu. Rishi Vyaas also came. Satyavatee was very sad at the death of Paandu. She just sighed and said to herself - "Whatever injustice has been done with Bheeshm, I don't know how much more we will have to pay for it?"

Duryodhan felt very bad with the coming of Paandav to the palace, that why they had come to palace from Van. Gaandhaaree said - "Then where they will go" This is their home also." Duryodhan said in anger - "This is my home only, nobody else's."