The Pandavas went next to Gandhari with the blessings of Dhritarashtra. The Kaurava queen was a living example for an ideal wife totally devoted to her husband. She had blindfolded herself the day she heard of her betrothal to the blind king. From that day the noble Gandhari lived a life of purity performing austerities as prescribed for a queen.
The daughter of the Gandhara king stood for truth and righteousness in all her thoughts and deeds. She held herself high above board even in the quarrel between her sons and their cousins, the Pandavas. Yet, the death of all her hundred sons was too much for the mother in her to overcome. Hence, when the arrival of the Pandavas was announced her mind went out of control for a moment. Her immediate impulse was to punish them with a curse for the death of her sons.
Vyasa to the rescue
Sage Veda Vyasa could sense the mood of his daughter-in-law in time. He promptly arrived on the scene speaking words to calm down the Kaurava mother. Vyasa said. “The daughter of Ganfdhara, do not vent your anger on the Pandavas. Your son had approached you eighteen days ago (at the start of the war) for your blessings. Did you not say at that time that victory will be where there is righteousness (Dharma)? The Pandavas have won because truth was on their side. If you curse them now for it, it will be highly an unrighteous act. You are an embodiment of patience. It befits your character to forgive the Pandavas for their righteous acts”
Gadhari was pacified by the words of the sage. She replied. “I do not envy the Pandavas nor do I want to see their destruction. My mind went astray because of my pain from the death of my children. I know that the fault was on the side of my children. I agree that Bhima, Arjuna and the other Pandavas were not wrong in killing them. But, why did Bhima have to hit my son below the navel with his mace, that too, while
Bhima’s defense
Bhima got somewhat scared of the fury of his aunt. He lamely replied. “I was worried about my own life and acted without thinking what was right or wrong. I confess that I could not have defeated your son without employing tricks that were forbidden. Please forgive me for that. All the injustice committed by your son on us blew up the rage in me like wild fire. Mother, your son’s acts made him our enemy deserving to be punished with death at all costs”.
Gandhari agreed that Bhima had every right to take revenge on her son. But, she asked. “But then, why did you drink the blood of my other son, Dussasana, something which is unheard of as ever committed by any honourable men?”
Bhima tried to defend himself to that by saying that he actually did not drink the blood. He had promised Draupadi of revenge with the blood of Dussasana. That was all that he had done.
Even letting that lame excuse of Bhima to pass, Gandhari finally asked. “Why did you not spare at least one of my hundred sons to support the blind parents in their old age?” There was no reply to that from any who stood around
Gandhari’s wrath
The noble queen then asked for Yudhishthira. The eldest of the Pandavas presented himself before the blind folded queen with trembling and folded hands. Gandhari did not speak anything to her nephew and tried to turn her face down to control her anger that was still raging in her. But, the sight of her burning eyes escaped through the gap of her blind fold and fell on the toe nail of the Pandava. It is said that that part of Yudhishthira was charred to black immediately. Arjuna was awe struck observing the tragedy and hid behind
The gentle Gandhari soon recollected herself and blessed the Pandavas with prosperity.
With Kunti
The Pandavas next went to their mother. Kunti was overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of her sons after such a long time. She had suffered so much during the past thirteen years and more. She had also lost all of her grand children in the war. She covered her face with her upper garment and wept silently. She then embraced her children one by one. Their bodies were still sore with all the wounds they had received from the heavily fought war. Kunti stroked her hands gently over the wounds and blessed them with long life.
With Draupadi
While all this took place, the normally brave Draupadi was weeping uncontrollably lying down on the ground. She had lost all her sons and brothers. The Pandavas and their mother tried to console her. She addressed Kunti and said. “What use is for me with the kingdom that was won at the cost of my sons’ life?” Kunti tried to console her with wise words. “Daughter, do not torment yourself in this manner. We are all equally affected by this tragedy. Think that it is fate that has taken the lives of our dear ones. Let us console ourselves that those who die fighting a war are not to be mourned. (They have gone to heaven).”
With this ends the chapter, “Paying the last tributes (jala praadaanika parvam)”. The word “jala praadaanika” means giving water as part of the last funeral rites. But, it may be noted that there is no mention of that in this chapter. There is a later chapter which covers that aspect.
