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Gandhari

Episode#11

Gandhari, the Princess of Gandhara, was bought as a bride of Dhritrashtra without disclosing about his blindness; it was only after marriage that she discovered that her husband was blind; she was terribly disheartened and upset with Bhisma since he was instrumental in bringing the alliance.

In silent frustration, she kept quite and bound her eyes with a piece of cloth and adopted voluntary blindness throughout her life.

Later Dhritrashtra discovered that this was her second marriage, she was born manglik (as per astrology, if the planet Mars is found in particular house of the girl's horoscope, it supposedly results in unhappy consequences of marriage) and as per rituals first she was married to banyan tree.

Dhritrashtra was very annoyed since he was not informed about this before marriage. He captured her father King Subala and her brothers including Sakuni and imprisoned them to die starving; they were served only small bowl of rice everyday. King Subala thought all would die on this small quantum of rice that was served to them!

He decided that only one will survive to avenge Dhritrashtra. And that it would be Sakuni since he was very cunning and clever amongst all so King Subala forcibly bent his knee to remind himself if the revenge every time he limped while walking, he took a pledge from Sakuni that he will avenge by destroying the entire Kuru family.

And from that day the meagre bowl of rice was consumed by Sakuni while other two died out of sheer voluntary starvation.

Later upon Gandhari's request, Sakuni was rescued and allowed to stay in Hastinapur and look after her 100 sons.

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