Having received approval from Bhishma,Satyavati summoned her first born son Vyasa.Without any delay,Vyasa came to his mother and was given a briefing as to the crisis facing the family.Satyavati told Vyasa that it now depended on him to bring forth an heir to the throne and he would have to impregnate the wife of Vichitravirya.Vyasa agreed to do it.

Then Satyavati informed Ambika of Vyasa's visit and advised her that she should welcome the Rishi accordingly for the purpose of obtaining an heir to the throne of Hastinapura.Ambika accepted and was willing to comply with the instructions she received.

Later that night,Vyasa entered the chambers of Ambika.She became terrified at the sight of the Rishi.Using his yoga maya or his illusionary powers to impregnate her she closed her eyes in fright. She kept her eyes closed for the entire duration of the encounter.

When Satyavati asked Vyasa next morning how things went,he said to her that a very strong and learned son would be born to Ambika.However, because she closed her eyes at the time of her conception,the child would be born blind.

This was very disappointing news for Satyavati and so she now instructed Vyasa to impregnate Vichitravirya's second wife,Ambalika. Satyavati advised Ambalika not to close her eyes and she did not. However,at the sight of Vyasa,she became pale.

When Vyasa was done,he reported back to his mother and told her that Ambalika would have a son who would be handsome and brave but because she became pale at the time of impregnation,her son would also be pale.

Satyavati was still disappointed and told Vyasa that after Ambika gives birth to the child that he should return and impregnate her once more so that she will also have a son with eyesight.Vyasa agreed and then left for the forest.

In time both queens Ambika and Ambalika gave birth to their sons and as Vyasa had said,one was blind and the other was pale.The blind son was named Dhritarashtra and the pale one was named Pandu.

Then Satyavati again sent for Vyasa and she warned Ambika to be careful this time.She reminded her that her son was born blind because of her mistake.Ambika was willing once more and accepted the advice.However, as much as she tried,she could not muster up the courage and the bravery to face Vyasa.So she sent her maidservant instead.

The maid served with attention and devotion to the sage.The next morning Vyasa told Satyavati that a son who would be the replica of Dharma would be born but he will be born to the maid because it was she who spent the time with him.He then gave blessings to all and departed once again.

The son born to the maid was named Vidura.All three boys received education under the guidance of Bhishma.Dhritarashtra was strong,Pandu was good at archery and Vidura was ever wise.Pandu was appointed as the ruler even though Dhritarashtra was elder.This was so because the Shastras forbids the appointment of a king who has a disability.Pandu ruled the kingdom with assistance from Vidura who was appointed as the Chief Minister.

Bhishma eventually had the task of selecting brides for them.Dhritarashtra married Gandhari who out of devotion to her husband decided to tie a scarf around her eyes so that she too would be blind to the world and Pandu married Madri,the princess from Madra.

Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.

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