11: Enter: Veda Vyasa Maharishi, the son of Satyavati
The chronological Mahabharatha series
Bhishma’s suggestion was the only option now, but who would be a worthy Brahmana to sire the future kings of the Kuru clan? Thankfully, Satyavati had just the solution to this problem. She remembered her son Krishna Dwaipayana, who was now called Veda Vyasa after he had separated the single veda into four. She told Bhishma about the Rishi and he agreed that summoning Vyasa was the perfect solution to their problem.
Veda Vyasa appeared as soon as his mother thought of him. He came to her from the forest where he had been deep in penance, his appearance that of an ascetic. Satyavati recounted their predicament and asked him to ensure that the lineage of her valorous husband and the brave Puru did not die out. She also pressed upon him the urgency of the matter. It would not do to leave the throne without an heir for long.
When Vyasa had agreed, Satyavati asked the elder daughter in law, Ambika, to await the Rishi in her quarters. The Rishi appeared, matted hair, dark skin and deer skin clad, making quite a fearsome picture as he loomed over her and the princess immediately shut her eyes in fear.
When Vyasa left her room later that night, Satyavati asked him if the princess would bear a worthy heir. The Rishi said that the son born to Ambika would have the strength of 10,000 elephants and he shall have a 100 sons but he would be born blind.
Satyavati was disheartened when the child, named Dhritarashtra, was born blind as Vyasa said he would. Now she asked her younger daughter in law to bear a son. Ambalika too was taken aback by the sage Vyasa’s terrifying appearance and she went pale. Her son was born with pale skin that got him the name Pandu.
Desiring a perfect heir, Satyavati asked Ambalika to bear another child through Vyasa but the princess had no intention to do so. She sent her Vaisya maid in her stead, disguised in her own clothes and jewellery. The maid was perfectly composed when Vyasa appeared in the room and she greeted him with no sign of any revulsion or fear. When Vyasa left her room, he told Satyavati who he had been with and also informed her that the maid would bear a brilliant son with the greatest knowledge of eternal dharma.
This son was Vidura and he was the incarnation of Dharmadevata himself (read the story here). While he could not be king himself since he was born to neither the dead king nor to either of his wives, he would grow up to be revered as counsellor to the king, advisor to the royal family and the powerful voice of reason for the current and future generations of Kurus.
The Kuru line finally had its heirs from the two princesses. But which of the princes was qualified to be the king? The eldest, Dhritarashtra, was blind so it was Pandu who was slated to wear the crown.
