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Giving Gandhari
Giving Gandhari
It was around noon and Gandhari had just finished her history lesson. History was not her favorite, but as the daughter of the king she figured she should know a thing or two about his country. Her father burst into the room just as the tutor was leaving.
"Father, hello! What are you doing here? I thought you were in the throne room talking with advisors."
"I was, darling daughter. However, we have made a decision that involves your future. I am not quite sure how you will respond to it."
Gandhari was shocked at hearing her father's words. There was not much that he decided for her. She had always prided herself at being a different princess with more freedom than most. Deciding not to speak with her heart she listened to her head instead.
"Father, I am sure that whatever this decision is you have my best interest or our kingdom's best interest at heart."
Her father was struck by her words. He had never expected a young woman of her age to speak with such wisdom.
"Ah, my dear daughter you inspire me each and every day. This decision is about your marriage. You have been promised to King Dhritarashtra."
Gandhari was so surprised by this she ran from the study to her rooms. It took her many hours, but eventually she went to the king's chambers to speak with him.
"I am sorry, Father. I know I should not have run when you told me the news."
"It is okay, Gandhari. It was a lot to hear. I am so sorry that I have to give you away to this man, but it is the lord Bhishma's will."
Gandhari immediately understood why her father had made his decision. Bhishma and the armies of Hastinapura were a great threat to her father's kingdom. She knew he could not upset Bhishma. However, another shock was about to come her way.
"There is one more thing you should know, daughter. The King Dhritarashtra, who you have been promised to, is blind."
Gandhari was yet again taken aback by this news. However, she had decided that there was nothing that she could do about her upcoming marriage. After talking with her father longer about the arrangements for her wedding she walked slowly back to her chambers, preparing herself for her new future.
The first time she laid eyes on her husband she knew that he was not the worst bethrothed that she could have gotten. He seemed kind as he interacted with his servants and advisors. As she approached him she wondered what it would be like to go blindly through the world.
"King Dhritarashtra, it is I, Gandhari, your bethrothed," she annouced as she entered his throne room.
"My future Queen, your voice is more beautiful than ever, as I am sure the rest of you is also."
They talked for the rest of the evening getting to know one another. Gandhari was impressed with the man her future husband was. She left their meeting knowing that one day she would come to love him. She wanted to gain his trust and had an idea that she believed would start their marriage off on the right foot.
When she had returned to the guest chambers, that would soon become her home, she summoned the god Shiva. He surprisingly appeared before her at her first call.
"Dear Gandhari, I have been watching you move about this world with wisdom and selflessness. What is it that you would ask of me?"
"Shiva, I want my marriage to be equal in all ways. I ask that you take away my sight so that myself and my future husband will experience this world together in the same way."
Shiva could not believe what Gandhari was asking of him. He was also shocked at how giving she was that she would want her own sight taken away so that she would not be able to experience things that her husband was not able to experience.
"Gandhari, your request is fascinating and unnecessary. All the days you are married simply wear a blindfold. There is no reason to take away your sight indefinitely."
Gandhari was somewhat relieved that she would get to keep her sight and still make this grand gesture for her future husband. She thanked Shiva repeatedly and he readied himself to leave. Just as he was about to disappear he looked at the young woman one last time. He saw that happiness in her eyes and was moved that she could be so happy considering her circumstances.
"Gandhari, you have impressed me greatly. Ask of me one boon and I shall grant whatever it is that you wish."
Gandhari thought hard about what she would want for this wish. She had always wanted to be a mother with a large family. She took a deep breath and confidently made her request.
"Shiva, I wish to be the mother of one hundred children!"
Shiva could see that this was what she truly wanted. He granted her the boon. Though, he made sure to tell her that it would come with time not immediately. Throughout the next years of Gandhari's life, she ruled by her husband's side, blindly. They were extremely happy together. Soon they were blessed by ninety-nine sons and one daughter who brought them great joy. They ruled for many years and lived happily together for the rest of their lives.
Author's Note:
In the original story none of Gandhari's thoughts or motivations were given. I thought that this was very strange and wanted to shed some light on her thoughts as we moved throughout her very interesting story. Having a hundred children is a very interesting piece of Gandhari's story. However, for me her blinding herself when she got married was the most interesting. This is where I spent the majority of my time telling the story. I also wanted to give some background into how she came to be married to King Dhritarashtra. Her thoughts and how she reacted to her father really helped me give her the wise, calm, and collected vibe I wanted her to have. At the end I feel like she still comes off slightly crazy wanting to go blind and have a hundred kids, but that is hard to make sound calm and collected.
I decided to bring Shiva in again because he is the god of transformation and she definitely wanted to transform her sight and with that her world as she knew it. I figured he was a good go-to. I also figured that they should have a happy ending because Gandhari has already given up her sight and gone through an arranged marriage. Though it was willingly it is still a lot to give up. She deserves a happy ending and I think her being happy with her husband and hundred kids was the perfect ending for her story.
Bibliography:
Image Credit:
Image 1. Gandhari. Source: Quora Quora.
Image 2. Gandhari Explains to Dhritarashtra. Wikimedia Commons.
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