A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.503

c5.503

DHRITA-RĀSHTRA. 1. The eldest son of Vichitra-vīrya or Vyāsa, and brother of Pāndu. His mother was Ambikā. He married Gāndhārī, and by her had a hundred sons, the eldest of whom was Dur-yodhana. Dhrita-rāshtra was blind, and Pāndu was affected with a disease supposed, from his name, “the pale,” to be a leprous affection. The two brothers in turn renounced the throne, and the great war recorded in the Mahā-bhārata was fought between their sons, one party being called Kauravas, from an ancestor, Kuru, and the other Pāndavas, from their father Pāndu. Dhrita-rāshtra and his wife were burned in a forest fire. (See Mahā-bhārata.) 2. An enormous serpent of many heads and immense strength.