“Bhishma said, ‘This our celebrated (Kuru) race, brilliant with
every aspect and accomplishment, has all along sovereignty over all other
monarchs on earth. Its glory maintained and itself preserved by many Dharmic
and illustrious monarchs of old, the illustrious Krishna (Maharishi Vyasa), Satyavati and myself have raised you (three) up, in order that it may not be extinct.
It is my duty and yours also to take such steps that this our dynasty may expand
again as the sea.
“It has been heard by me that there are three maidens
worthy of being associated to our race. One is the daughter of the Yadava race (i.e. Kunti); the other is the
daughter of Subala (Gandhari); and
the third is the princess of Madra (Maadri). Possessed of beauty and pure lineage, they are eminently fit for an
alliance with our family. O you foremost of intelligent men (Vidura), I think we should choose them for the
growth of our race. Tell me what you think.’
“Thus addressed, Vidura replied, ‘You are our father
and you are our mother, too. You are our respected Guru. Therefore, you do what
may be best for us in your eyes.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Soon after Bhishma heard
from the Brahmanas that Gandhari, the friendly daughter of Subala, having
worshipped Hara (Lord Shiva) had obtained from the deity the boon that she should have a hundred of
sons. Bhishma, the grandfather of the Kurus, having heard this, sent messengers
to the king of Gandhara. King Subala at first hesitated on account of the
blindness of the bridegroom (Dhritarashtra), but taking into consideration the blood of the Kurus, their fame and
behaviour, he gave his Dharmic daughter (Gandhari) to Dhritarashtra and the chaste (Patni in Sanskrit) Gandhari hearing that Dhritarashtra was
blind and that her parents had consented to marry her to him, from love and
respect for her future husband, blindfolded her own eyes.
“Shakuni, the son of Subala, bringing to the Kurus his
sister endued with youth and beauty, formally gave her away to Dhritarashtra.
Gandhari was received with great respect and the marriage was celebrated with
great pomp under Bhishma's directions. The heroic Shakuni, after having given
his sister along with many valuable clothes, and having received Bhishma's
adorations, returned to his own city. O you of Bharata's race (Janamejaya), the beautiful
Gandhari pleased all the Kurus by her behaviour and respectful attentions.
Gandhari, ever devoted to her husband, pleased her superiors by her good
conduct; and as she was chaste (Patni in Sanskrit), she never referred even by words to men other than her husband or
such superiors.’”
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