In the grand kingdom of Hastinapura, the throne was ruled by King Dhritarashtra, a man born without sight. The world remained forever hidden from his eyes. Yet, his heart was strong, and his will unshaken.
Beside him stood his devoted wife, Gandhari, a princess from the land of Gandhara. Seeing the fate of her husband, she made a powerful vow of her own.
"If my husband cannot see this world, then I too shall live in darkness."
With these words, Gandhari tied a crimson cloth around her eyes, blinding herself from the world's beauty and sorrow. From that day forth, she lived in darkness, choosing to share her husband's pain.
But time passed, and the kingdom awaited the birth of an heir.
Gandhari became pregnant. At first, joy filled the palace. But months passed. Then a full year. And even after two long years... no child was born. Anxiety crept into the hearts of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari.
Overwhelmed by frustration and sorrow, Gandhari, in a moment of anger and despair, struck her own stomach. And from within her womb fell something unnatural—a lifeless, cold mass of flesh... a great, formless meat ball.
Seeing this, both the King and Queen broke down in tears. Their hopes, shattered before them. Their cries echoed through the palace halls.
It was then that the wise sage Vyasa, knower of fate and destiny, appeared before them. His presence filled the room with calm power.
He spoke gently but firmly:
Vyasa:"Queen Gandhari, do not despair. This fate was written long before this day. If you wish, I can divide this flesh and give you a hundred sons. But know that this will be a path filled with trials. Will you accept my condition?"
Gandhari, wiping her tears, bowed deeply.
Gandhari:"Great Sage Vyasa, I accept your words with gratitude and honor. But I have one humble wish... please grant me a daughter as well, so that I may know the love of a daughter's smile."
Vyasa smiled slightly, understanding the purity of her wish.
With his divine powers, the sage divided the lifeless meat ball into 101 equal pieces, shaping them with precision and care. He placed each piece inside an earthen pot, filling them with mystical herbs and the warmth of his blessings.
For nine long months, the pots rested, hidden away from the eyes of the world. Slowly, life began to stir within them.
When the time came, the pots opened, one by one.
✨ From the first pot, a child was born—strong, fierce, and filled with a restless spirit.He was named Duryodhana, destined to be the eldest of a hundred brothers.
✨ From the second pot, another boy emerged—Dushasana, his loyal yet reckless brother.
✨ And so it continued, one after another, until 100 sons were born into the world, each one a prince of Hastinapura.
✨ And finally, from the last pot, the daughter Gandhari longed for was born.She named her Dushala, the only girl among a sea of brothers.
Thus, the royal palace, once filled with sorrow, now echoed with the cries and laughter of a hundred and one children.But little did they know, these children, born of fate and magic, would shape the destiny of Bharatavarsha in ways no one could have imagined.