[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.503 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.503 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.503 - **Language:** English ### [c5.503](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.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. - [Previous: c5.502](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.502) - [Next: c5.504](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.504) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (1) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.503](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.503) · Pramāṇa