Why was Dhritarashtra Blind from Birth? How Did He Have 100 Sons? Know the Complete Mahabharata Story

Why was Dhritarashtra blind from birth? How did he get 100 sons? Know the complete story

In the Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra is famous as the king of Hastinapur and the father of the Kauravas. But two questions related to his life still arise in people's minds today—Why was Dhritarashtra blind from birth? And How did he get 100 sons?

Interesting episodes are found in the Mahabharata and Puranas behind both these events. On one hand, his blindness is linked to his mother closing her eyes out of fear, while on the other hand, the birth of 100 sons is related to the boon of Maharishi Ved Vyas and a miraculous conception story.

How was Dhritarashtra born?

After the death of King Vichitravirya, the lineage of Hastinapur was in crisis. Then Mother Satyavati called Maharishi Ved Vyas to continue the lineage through Niyoga.

First, Queen Ambika was sent to Maharishi Ved Vyas. Seeing the radiant and ascetic form of Maharishi, Ambika became extremely frightened and closed her eyes.

Maharishi Ved Vyas came out and told Mother Satyavati, "Your daughter-in-law had closed her eyes out of fear, so the son born from her will be very powerful, but will be blind from birth."

For this reason, Dhritarashtra was born blind from birth.

Was Dhritarashtra's blindness only physical?

In the Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra's blindness is not considered merely a physical defect. Many scholars also consider it symbolic. Due to his excessive attachment to his son Duryodhana, he could not make a clear decision between righteousness and unrighteousness. Therefore, his blindness is also considered a symbol of justice and conscience.

Marriage of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari

Dhritarashtra was married to Gandhari, the princess of the Gandhara country. When Gandhari learned that her husband was blind from birth, she decided to tie a bandage over her eyes for her entire life.

She took a vow that if her husband could not see the world, she would also experience the joys and sorrows of her life in the same way. Gandhari's name is still taken with respect today due to this sacrifice and devotion to her husband.

How did Gandhari receive the boon of 100 sons?

Gandhari showed immense faith and served Maharishi Ved Vyas with great devotion. Pleased with her service, Maharishi Ved Vyas blessed her that she would become the mother of 100 mighty sons.

This boon is considered one of the most amazing events of the Mahabharata.

How were 100 sons born?

After conception, Gandhari could not deliver for about two years. Meanwhile, she received the news that Kunti had given birth to Yudhishthira. This made her extremely sad.

In anger and despair, she struck her womb. As a result, instead of an infant, a hard lump of flesh (a ball of flesh) emerged from her womb.

Gandhari was disappointed, but at that very moment, Maharishi Ved Vyas arrived there.

How did the lump of flesh become 100 sons?

Maharishi Ved Vyas divided that lump of flesh into 100 equal parts. Later, an additional part was also made, making a total of 101 parts.

All these parts were safely kept in separate earthen pots (pitchers) filled with ghee, and instructions were given to keep them safe for a specific period.

When the stipulated time was completed, the first pot from which a child was born was named Duryodhana. After this, the remaining 99 sons were born one by one.

From the 101st pot, a daughter was born, who was named Dushala.

Names of Dhritarashtra's 100 sons

All 100 sons of Dhritarashtra are collectively called Kauravas. The prominent among them were:

• Duryodhana
• Dushasana
• Vikarna
• Chitrasena
• Durmukha
• Durmarshana
• Dursaha
• Jalasandha
• Subahu
• and other Kaurava brothers.

Did Dhritarashtra have another son?

Yes. According to the Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra also had a son named Yuyutsu, who was born not from Gandhari but from his Vaishya maid.

Yuyutsu was righteous and in the Mahabharata war, he chose the side of the Pandavas instead of supporting unrighteousness. This is why he survived the war and played an important role in the administration of Hastinapur.

What lesson do we learn from this story?

• The consequences of fear and lack of self-control can be far-reaching.
• Excessive attachment to children can affect justice.
• Supporting righteousness is more important than relationships.
• The boons of great sages and one's own actions can both change the direction of life.
• The bias of parents can be destructive for the entire family and society.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why was Dhritarashtra blind from birth?

Seeing the radiant form of Maharishi Ved Vyas, his mother Ambika closed her eyes out of fear. For this reason, Dhritarashtra was born blind from birth.

2. How did Dhritarashtra have 100 sons?

After the boon of Maharishi Ved Vyas, the lump of flesh that emerged from Gandhari's womb was divided into 100 parts and kept in pots filled with ghee. When the time was complete, 100 sons and one daughter were born from them.

3. Who was Dhritarashtra's daughter?

The name of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari's only daughter was Dushala.

4. Did Dhritarashtra have a 101st son?

No. From Gandhari, he had 100 sons and one daughter. In addition, Yuyutsu, born from his maid, was also his son.

In the Mahabharata, his blindness is primarily described as a result of Ambika closing her eyes. In some Puranas and popular beliefs, it is also linked to the karma of previous births, but this is not uniformly described in all texts.

Other Popular Belief: Was Dhritarashtra's blindness the result of karma from a past life?

In some religious texts, Puranas, and popular beliefs, a story is prevalent that Dhritarashtra was a very powerful king in his previous life. One day he saw a swan living in a pond with its young. For amusement or cruelty, he blinded the swan chicks and caused the death of many young ones.

According to the story, as a result of that karma, in the next life, he was born as Dhritarashtra, became blind from birth, and had a hundred sons, whose end came before his eyes in the Mahabharata war. The purpose of this story is to convey the message of karma and compassion towards living beings.

However, in the main text of the Mahabharata, the reason for Dhritarashtra's blindness is stated to be Ambika closing her eyes. The story of the previous life and the swans is considered an alternative belief described in some Puranas and folk traditions.

Conclusion

Dhritarashtra's life teaches us that not only physical sight but also moral and spiritual sight is essential. According to the Mahabharata, his birth blindness was the result of his mother Ambika's reaction, while the acquisition of 100 sons was made possible by the boon of Maharishi Ved Vyas. On the other hand, some traditions also link it to the karma of previous lives. The core message of all these stories is that human actions and decisions have a profound impact on their lives and future generations.

Read Also

• Why did Gandhari tie a bandage over her eyes?
• How was Duryodhana born?
• Who was Vidura and how was he born?
• How did Bhishma Pitamah receive the boon of death by choice?
• What were the main causes of the Mahabharata war?