A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1018

c5.1018

Dhrita-rāshtra, who reigned at Hastinā-pura, was blind. By his wife Gāndhārī he had a hundred sons, and one daughter named Duh-salā. This numerous offspring was owing to a blessing from Vyāsa, and was produced in a marvellous way. (See Gāndhārī.) From their ancestor Kuru these princes were known as the Kauravas. The eldest of them, Dur-yodhana (hard to subdue), was their leader, and was a bold, crafty, malicious man, an embodiment of all that is bad in a prince. While the Pāndu princes were yet children, they, on the death of their father, were brought to Dhrita-rāshtra, and presented to him as his nephews. He took charge of them, showed them great kindness, and had them educated with his own sons. Differences and dislikes soon arose, and the juvenile emulation and rivalry of the princes ripened into bitter hatred on the part of the Kauravas. This broke into an open flame when Dhrita-rāshtra nominated Yudhi-shthira as his Yuva-rāja or heir-apparent. The jealousy and the opposition of his sons to this act was so great that Dhrita-rāshtra sent the Pāndavas away to Vāranāvata, where they dwelt in retirement. While they were living there Dur-yodhana plotted to destroy his cousins by setting fire to their house, which he had caused to be made very combustible All the five brothers were for a time supposed to have perished in the fire, but they had received timely warning from Vidura, and they escaped to the forest, where they dressed and lived in disguise as Brāhmans upon alms.