Word

Pandu

Sanskrit

पाण्डु

IAST

pāṇḍu

In General

The King of Hastinapura and father of Pandavas. He was younger to Drithrashtra but became the king because of his elder brother being blind. Pandu and Dritharastra never had any enmity or difference of opinion with each other. Pandu was learned and followed dharma. He always loved and respected his brother Dritharastra. He was unselfish and all the citizens loved him. Pandu developed the resources of the kingdom and improved its status among other similar kingdom.

Genealogy. From Visnu were descended in the following order Brahma-Atri-Candra-Budha - Pururavas - Ayus - Nahusa - Yayati - Puru - Janamejaya - Pracinva- Pravira - Namasyu - Vltabhaya - Sundu - Bahuvidha - Samyati - Rahovadi - Raudrasva - Matinara - Santurodha- Dusyanta – Bharata – Suhotra - Suhota – Gala - Gardda – Suketu –Brhatksetra - Hasti - Ajamidha - Rksa – Samvarana - Kuru- Jahnu –Suratha - Viduratha – Sarvabhauma – Jayatsena – Ravyaya – Bhavuka - Cakroddhata - Devatithi - Rksa – Bhima – Pratipa – Santanu – Vichitravirya – Pandu

Purana

Once Pandu while hunting killed a deer which is flirting with its partner. The deer was actually a sage in deer form enjoying sexual life with his wife. The sage before his death cursed Pandu to die if he approaches his wives in similar passion. Pandu told this incidence to his wives Kunti and Madri and they agreed with him to keep away from a sexual life. Once he felt very passionate on seeing his wife Madri while the whole family was enjoying their life in a forest. Pandu instantly died because of the curse and Madri burned herself in the funeral pyre of Pandu.

Pandu did not have any children in his wives Kunti and Madri because of the curse that he should not meet ladies in passion. The couples were desirous of having children thought of a way to have children. Kunti, the first wife of Pandu, told him that she had learned a potent mantra from Durvasas muni at her young age that upon reciting the mantra the God of her choice would manifest himself to her and bless her with a son. Pandu agreed and she invited three gods in succession and three children Dharmaputra, Bhima, and Arjuna was born to her. Kunti taught this mantra to Madri and Madri in her turn invited the twin Aswini Devatas and Nakula and Sahadeva was born to her. The five sons together were called Pandavas.