Introduction
Pandu is the younger son of Vichitravirya's widow Ambalika, fathered by Vyasa through niyoga. He became king of Hastinapura and is the legal father of the five Pandavas.
This article primarily follows the Mahabharata. Where a well-known detail comes from a Puranic or later source, the article identifies it.
Family
- Legal father: Vichitravirya
- Biological father (by niyoga): Vyasa
- Mother: Ambalika
- Wives: Kunti, Madri
- Siblings: Dhritarashtra
- Sons: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva
King
Pandu was made king because Dhritarashtra was blind. He extended the Kuru kingdom by conquests, and married Kunti and Madri.
The curse
While hunting, Pandu shot a deer that turned out to be the sage Kindama, who was making love to his wife in the form of deer. Kindama cursed Pandu to die if he ever approached his wives in passion. Pandu withdrew to the forest with his wives.
The Pandavas
Because of the curse, Kunti used the mantra she had been given as a girl to call on the gods, and had three sons, Yudhishthira, Bhima and Arjuna, by Dharma, Vayu and Indra. She taught the mantra to Madri, who had the twins Nakula and Sahadeva by the Ashvins.
Death
Pandu died when he approached Madri in a moment of desire. Madri, blaming herself, died on his funeral pyre, and Kunti brought up all five sons.