The Rise of Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura

Nine months later, Ambika gave birth to Dhritarashtra, Ambalika gave birth to Pandu, and Parishrami gave birth to Vidura. Dhritarashtra was born blind, Pandu was born pale, and Vidura had no birth defects; he was also very intelligent. The three half-brothers grew up together, brought up by Bhishma as if they were his own children.

The birth of the three boys brought prosperity to the kingdom. The fields yielded bountiful harvests, and the people were joyful. Bhishma managed the state affairs on behalf of Queen Satyavati. Qualified teachers instructed the three princes in various subjects including science, ancient texts, history, state affairs, archery, sword-fighting, and horseback riding.

Dhritarashtra was physically strong, Pandu was a great archer, and Vidura was an expert in traditional knowledge, science, and the Vedas. When Pandu came of age, he was crowned prince. Although Dhritarashtra was the oldest, he was not given the throne because he was blind. Vidura was qualified for the throne in every respect but did not get the chance because he was a maidservant's son.

The three princes had come of marriageable age. Their guardian, Bhishma, gathered information about the princesses from neighboring kingdoms. He was particularly taken with Gandhari, the daughter of King Subala, ruler of Gandhar, as she was both charming and virtuous. Additionally, she had been granted a boon by Lord Shiva for a hundred children, which was especially significant as the Kuru clan appeared to be dwindling.

Bhishma formally requested King Subala to allow Gandhari to marry Dhritarashtra. Subala was initially hesitant because Dhritarashtra was blind, but he dared not reject a proposal from the Kuru clan. When Gandhari found out that she was going to marry a blind prince, she decided to cover her eyes with a black cloth permanently, determined to be blind like her husband. Her brother, Shakuni, accompanied her to Hastinapura, where she married Dhritarashtra.

Pandu was next in line to get married. Bhishma dispatched Brahmins to different kingdoms to find a suitable bride. After gathering information from various places, Bhishma chose Kunti, the adopted daughter of King Kuntibhoja. Kunti was the biological daughter of Kuntibhoja's cousin, Shurasena, who was the paternal grandfather of Lord Krishna. Since Kuntibhoja was childless, Shurasena had promised to give him his first child.