Pandu, the father of Pandavas, was weak, pale and ashen. He
was the son of Sage Vyasa and Ambalika, the widow of Vichtravirya. Here is the
reason as to why Pandu was born weak and pale.
Without fathering a child, Vichitravirya, the son of Queen
Satyavati died. The Kuru lineage was in danger of going extinct.
Queen Satyavati asked Bhishma to break is vow and save the
Kuru dynasty. But he was not ready to break the vow.
Desperate to save the Kuru dynasty, Satyavati thought of her
first son, Krishna Dwaipayana (Sage Vyasa).
He was immediately summoned.
As per law of niyoga, any children that are born of a woman
will belong to the husband. Thus if the widows of Vichtravirya, Ambika and Ambalika,
were to have children they would belong to the lineage of Vichtravirya.
Based on this law Queen Satyavati asked Sage Vyasa to have children
in Ambika and Ambalika.
Vyasa was an ascetic not used to the ways of the society.
His hair was dry and matted. His skin was coarse and rough.
When Vyasa approached Ambalika, his ghastly appearance
evoked fear and aversion in her. She turned ashen – anemic looking from fear.
The child conceived from this union was Pandu, who was pale
and weak.
Related
Did you know - Shantanu, father of Bhishma, in the Mahabharata had an elder brother. Read more about Devapi – Elder Brother of Shantanu
Related
Did you know - Shantanu, father of Bhishma, in the Mahabharata had an elder brother. Read more about Devapi – Elder Brother of Shantanu