5. Five sons return home, console mother
These affectionate words reflecting both
urgency and fatigue awoke Kunti from her reverie. She rose, opened the door to
find her five sons standing right in front - eager to hug her and tell stories
about how they spent the day. With their father no longer alive, the children
had very strong bond with the mother. In later days of his life while wandering
in the forest Pandu had a feeling that his immensely talented five sons were
not getting the right environment to grow as true Khsatriya princes. At times
he had expressed this concern to his wives Kunti and Madri. Before death
suddenly and cruelly snatched him from this world, Pandu implored the queens
several times to move to Hastinapuri with the children. Even if that meant absolute
solitude for himself, the young princes could be brought up in the best of Kuru
traditions. The bereavement of the husband was aggravated manifold by Madri’s
giving up her life leaving her two sons Nakul and Sahadev to Kunti’s care.
Before she could grieve enough, heavy responsibilities were thrust on her.
In spite of being a strong willed,
intelligent and learned woman, Kunti was simply devastated by the rapid
occurrence of these tragic events. Only her deeply spiritual life style saved
her from sinking into deep depression. She decided to fight against odds and
perils to restore the five children to their rightful place in Hastinapur.
She was a mother to all five brothers in
equal measure – she loved them without any discrimination. However, the children
felt she was more affectionate towards Sahadev, the youngest. At times they
would ovingly tease her for being biased in favour of her youngest son. But was
it a fact? Difficult to say because three sons of her own were so talented and
good-natured that none could love them less. May be, special feeling for
Sahadev could be because she had an extra responsibility towards Madri’s sons
in her absence.
As Kunti sat, her five sons thronged her
and narrated the day’s proceedings. She could make out that the children were
happy and that Bhisma, the grandfather, was himself present to observe how they
took the lessons and their special skills and abilities. Kunti was relieved.
She was also relaxed that there was no quarrel or fight amongst the cousins. She
stole a moment from the conversation, delved into own mind, prayed and thanked
God.
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