Enigmas in the life of Gandhari – Part 1

Character Analysis of Gandhari

Gandhari, one of the pivotal characters in the Mahabharata, is a figure of immense complexity and depth. She embodies the virtues and struggles of a devoted wife and mother, while also symbolizing the interplay of fate, duty, and personal agency. Her character embodies the dualities of strength and vulnerability, faith and despair, and loyalty and righteousness, making her one of the most nuanced characters in the epic.

Early Life and Marriage

Gandhari was the daughter of Subala, the king of Gandhara (modern-day Kandahar in Afghanistan). Gandhari was renowned for her piety, beauty, and wisdom. Her marriage to Dhritarashtra, the blind prince of the Kuru dynasty, was a pivotal moment in her life and the epic’s narrative. Despite being married to a blind man, she blindfolded herself for life, an act of supreme sacrifice and solidarity. This gesture highlighted her commitment and love for her husband but also foreshadowed the many sacrifices and sufferings she would endure.

Blind Devotion

Gandhari’s decision to blindfold herself reveals both her strength and weakness. On one hand, it showed her unwavering devotion and loyalty to Dhritarashtra. By choosing to share in her husband’s darkness, she symbolized the ideal of a devoted wife who fully embraces her husband’s condition. On the other hand, this act can be interpreted as a form of self-imposed blindness to the moral and ethical failings within her own family, particularly those of her sons.

Motherhood and the Birth of the Kauravas

Gandhari’s role as a mother is central to her character. She bore a hundred sons, collectively known as the Kauravas, and one daughter, Dusshala. Gandhari’s motherhood is often portrayed with great poignancy and complexity. Ominous signs marked the birth of her sons; she carried the pregnancy for an unusually long time and eventually gave birth to a lifeless mass of flesh. Sage Vyasa divided the mass into a hundred and one pieces  and each piece  placed in a pot, resulting in the birth of her children.

The unnatural birth of her sons is symbolic of the unnatural and morally ambiguous nature of their actions later in the epic. Despite her maternal love and efforts to guide them, many of the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana, exhibited traits of arrogance, envy, and ambition, leading to the eventual downfall of the Kuru dynasty.

Conflict with Kunti

Gandhari’s relationship with Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, is also noteworthy. Despite the rivalry between their sons, Gandhari and Kunti shared a bond of mutual respect and understanding. However, this relationship was strained by the actions and animosities between the Kauravas and Pandavas. Gandhari’s stoic acceptance of her fate contrasts with Kunti’s more proactive and assertive approach to life, highlighting the different ways in which these two women navigated their respective challenges.

A voice for righteousness

Despite her cloistered existence, Gandhari emerges as a moral compass within the Kuru court. She consistently urges her sons, particularly the headstrong Duryodhana, to follow the path of dharma (righteousness). Her pronouncements, however, are often met with deaf ears. This creates a tragic tension – a mother who understands the right path but lacks the agency to enforce it. However, there are moments where Gandhari transcends the image of a passive wife and grieving mother. When Duryodhana requests her blessings for victory, she famously declares, “May victory find the side of righteousness.” This powerful statement demonstrates her independent moral compass and refusal to endorse her son’s unjust endeavours.

The War and Its Aftermath

The Kurukshetra War, a pivotal event in the Mahabharata, brought immense grief and tragedy to Gandhari. Despite her prayers and efforts to avert the conflict, the war resulted in the deaths of all her sons. Gandhari’s grief was profound; she cursed Krishna, blaming him for allowing the destruction of her family and the war’s devastating outcome. This curse, in turn, foretold the eventual destruction of the Yadava dynasty.

Gandhari’s sorrow and anger were palpable during the aftermath of the war. Her lamentations over the bodies of her dead sons, particularly Duryodhana, are among the most heartrending moments in the Mahabharata. Her profound sense of loss and helplessness is a powerful testament to the human cost of war and the consequences of unchecked ambition and enmity.

Gandhari’s Strength and Moral Authority

Despite her immense suffering, Gandhari remains a figure of moral authority and dignity. Her ability to endure pain with grace and her unwavering adherence to dharma (duty/righteousness) make her a revered character. She holds Dhritarashtra accountable for his failures as a king and father, emphasizing the importance of righteous conduct and the responsibilities of leadership.

Gandhari’s curse on Krishna is a complex aspect of her character. While it may seem to contradict her otherwise pious nature, it underscores her profound sense of justice and her belief in the moral order of the universe. Her curse was not merely an act of vengeance, but a demand for cosmic justice, reflecting her deep sense of right and wrong. The curse also signifies Gandhari’s transition from a passive sufferer to an active agent of destiny. This act of cursing Krishna, who is an incarnation of Vishnu, elevates Gandhari’s character from mere mortal to a figure with divine authority and spiritual potency.

Symbolism and Legacy

Gandhari’s character is rich in symbolism. Her blindfold represents both her loyalty and her blindness to the flaws and wrongdoings within her own family. Her role as a mother embodies the pain and sacrifices inherent in motherhood, especially in the face of uncontrollable destiny. Gandhari’s life story is a meditation on the themes of fate, duty, and the tragic consequences of moral failings.

In the broader context of the Mahabharata, Gandhari serves as a counterpoint to characters like Kunti and Draupadi. While Kunti navigates her challenges with pragmatism and Draupadi with fiery assertiveness, stoic endurance and unwavering faith marks Gandhari’s approach. This contrast enriches the epic’s exploration of the different ways women exert influence and uphold dharma in a patriarchal society.

The Tragic Heroine

Gandhari’s life is a tapestry of tragedy. Her marriage, marked by a voluntary sacrifice, sets the stage for a life of continuous suffering. The deaths of her sons in the war leave her shattered, yet she maintains her dignity and composure. Her final years are spent in asceticism, as she renounces the world and retreats to the forest with her husband. Despite her tragic circumstances, Gandhari’s character is not one of despair but of resilience and strength. She embodies the idea of stoic endurance, facing her fate with courage and dignity. Her life story is a poignant reminder of the inevitable suffering that comes with human existence and the power of faith and righteousness in the face of adversity.

The End of Their Journey

In their final years, Gandhari and Kunti retire to the forest along with Dhritarashtra and Vidura, seeking solace and spiritual peace. This retreat symbolizes their renunciation of worldly attachments and their acceptance of the cyclical nature of life and death. Their shared ascetic life in the forest signifies a resolution of their earlier conflicts and a return to a state of spiritual equilibrium.

Conclusion

Gandhari is one of the most poignant and tragic figures in the Mahabharata. Her life is a testament to the complex interplay of devotion, duty, and destiny. Despite her immense sufferings, she remains a symbol of strength, moral integrity, and the enduring power of a mother’s love. Gandhari’s story invites readers to reflect on the nature of sacrifice, the consequences of moral blindness, and the profound human cost of war and ambition. Her character, with its depth and complexity, continues to resonate as a powerful example of the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.