M19. Bheeshma Nurtures Dhritrashtra, Pandu and Vidura

 M19. Mahabharata  - Bheeshma Nurtures Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura

Dhritrashtra, Pandu, and Vidura grew up under the strict vigilance of Bheeshma. Apart from physical exercises, they were taught  archery, war training on elephants, horses, and chariots. 

They were trained in wrestling and sword fighting. They acquired knowledge on Neethi Shashtra, Itihasa, Purana, and Raja Neethi. 

Dhritrashtra was physically and mentally very strong. He could even crush iron frames into pieces. Being born blind he was ineligible to become a king.

Pandu, an expert in archery and warfare, was made the king of the Kuru dynasty.  Vidura became an expert  in Neethi Shastra (administrative skills) and Dharma Shastra. He could clearly distinguish between truth and falsehood. 

The Kuru dynasty became famous and was considered the best under Bheeshma's guidance. Bheeshma never deviated from dharma. He was revered as Pithamaha. 

Bheeshma was concerned about progeny of the kuru dynasty as his step-brothers passed away, leaving the kingdom in limbo.

Gandhari, daughter of King Subhala of Gandhara kingdom, was a great devotee of Shiva and had obtained a boon that she would beget 100 sons. 

Bheeshma was keen to get her married to Dhritrashtra. When the marriage proposal  reached King Subhala, he couldn't decline the proposal as the Kuru kingdom was well known and had reached great heights. A single concern that the groom is blind was sidelined. 

When the marriage was fixed, Gandhari decided to remain blind by covering her eyes with a cloth band. Dhritrashtra married Gandhari and Shakuni, Gandhari’s brother accompanied her to Hastinapura.  

She was a devoted wife, and this made the entire kuru family happy.

Source: Mahabharatha  - Sambava Parva