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Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: The Curse of Desire – Pandu’s Fall and the Birth of the Pandavas

Pandu ruled as a king should—wise in counsel, unmatched in battle, and loved by his people. Under his reign, Hastinapura prospered. Dhritarashtra, his elder brother, accepted the decision with silent resentment. Vidura, ever loyal, kept the balance between them.

But Pandu's peace would not last.

One day, while hunting in the forest, Pandu saw a pair of deer locked in embrace. Driven by instinct, he raised his bow and struck—killing them with a single arrow.

As the cries of the dying echoed through the trees, the truth was revealed: they were not ordinary deer, but a sage and his wife, cursed into animal form.

The sage, writhing in agony, looked up at the king.

"You, who took life in the moment of creation—may you suffer the same fate. If ever you approach your wives with desire, you shall die."

And with those words, the curse settled upon Pandu's soul like a shadow that would never lift.

He returned to the palace in silence. Crown heavy. Heart hollow.

"I can no longer be king," he said. "What ruler can serve the world if he cannot even touch love without fear?"

He gave up the throne, handing it back to Dhritarashtra, and retreated into the forest with his two wives: Kunti, noble and calm, and Madri, youthful and radiant.

But Kunti carried a secret.

In her youth, before her marriage, she had served the sage Durvasa with such devotion that he granted her a boon—the power to summon any god and bear his child.

Now, in the quiet of the forest, Pandu asked her to use it.

She agreed.

First, she called Yama, god of death. From him was born Yudhishthira, steady as dharma itself.

Then she summoned Vayu, the wind. From him came Bhima, strong as a storm.

Then Indra, king of gods. And from him came Arjuna, graceful and deadly as thunder.

Each child was born divine—untouched by Pandu, untouched by curse.

Madri watched in silence, longing.

Pandu gave her permission to use the mantra once.

She summoned the Ashwini twins, gods of medicine and speed. From them were born Nakula and Sahadeva—handsome, wise, and inseparable.

Now, Pandu had five sons—the Pandavas. But fate does not let joy sit still.

One spring morning, as the wind moved through the trees and laughter returned to his voice, Pandu looked at Madri with longing in his eyes.

For a moment, he forgot the curse.

He touched her.

And in that instant, he died in her arms.

Madri, consumed by guilt and love, followed him into death.

Kunti, now mother to five royal sons and widow to a fallen king, gathered her children and returned to Hastinapura.

The forest had given birth to destiny.

And now, destiny was returning to the throne.

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