Dhritarashtra and Pandu grew up. Bhishma thought, 'Our renowned lineage is the greatest among all the kings on Earth. It holds supreme status. These young princes, who are the lifeblood of this flourishing family, should now be married to expand our lineage.'

Bhishma Pitamaha took the initiative in arranging the marriages of Dhritarashtra and Pandu due to several critical reasons:

1. Kuru Dynasty's Continuity: Bhishma was deeply committed to ensuring the continuity and stability of the Kuru dynasty. As a key elder and guardian of the Kuru lineage, it was his responsibility to secure alliances that would strengthen the dynasty. By arranging suitable marriages for Dhritarashtra and Pandu, he aimed to ensure the continuation of the Kuru lineage and its prominence.
2. Dhritarashtra's Blindness: Dhritarashtra was born blind, which was considered a significant challenge for a king in those times. There were societal concerns regarding his ability to rule and find a suitable match. Bhishma, understanding the complexities and potential reluctance of other royal families, took it upon himself to secure a suitable alliance for Dhritarashtra. 
3. Pandu's Role as a King: Pandu, the younger brother of Dhritarashtra, was healthy and competent, making him a suitable candidate for kingship. However, securing a strong marriage alliance for Pandu was equally crucial for political reasons.
4. Political Alliances: Marriages in royal families were often political strategies to forge alliances with other powerful kingdoms. Bhishma recognized that strategic marriages could strengthen the Kuru kingdom's political position. 
5. Bhishma's Vow and Duty: Bhishma had taken a vow of celibacy to ensure that Satyavati's lineage would rule Hastinapura. This vow made him a protector and caretaker of the Kuru dynasty. As the eldest and most respected member of the royal family, Bhishma took it upon himself to fulfill his duty by ensuring that the next generation of Kuru rulers was well-established through strategic marriages.
6. Absence of Other Elders: After the deaths of Vichitravirya, Bhishma became the principal elder in the Kuru household. With no other senior authority figure to guide the younger generation, Bhishma naturally assumed the role of decision-maker in critical family matters, including marriage arrangements.

After careful thought and consultation with Vidura, Bhishma arranged Dhritarashtra's marriage to Gandhari, daughter of King Subala of Gandhara. When Gandhari learned that Dhritarashtra was blind, she took a vow to remain blindfolded, committing to sharing her husband's fate and never experiencing any joy or pleasure beyond what he experienced.

Shakuni, Gandhari's brother, brought many gifts to Hastinapura and, after performing the necessary rituals, returned to his city.

The second prince, Pandu, married Pritha, daughter of Surasena of the Yadu dynasty and sister of Vasudeva. 

Kunti is Krishna's paternal aunt. She is the sister of Vasudeva, Krishna's father. This makes Krishna the maternal cousin of the Pandavas.

Surasena had given Pritha to his cousin Kuntibhoja, who had no children. In Kuntibhoja's home, Kunti once served and pleased Sage Durvasa. The sage gave her a mantra, saying, 'With this mantra, you can invoke any deity, and by their grace, you will bear a son.'

Out of curiosity, Kunti invoked the Sun God in her youth, and Karna was born from this union. Fearing her relatives, Kunti placed the child by the water. A charioteer found the child and gave him to his wife Radha for upbringing. They named the boy Vasushena.

Later, Bhishma learned that the princess of Madra, Madri, was exceptionally beautiful. He paid a great sum to the King of Madra to secure her as a bride for Pandu, and they were married.

Meanwhile, Pandu embarked on a conquest of the Earth. Kings of Dasharna, Magadha, Videha, Kashi, Suhya, and Pundra were defeated. They accepted the sovereignty of Kuru and agreed to pay tribute. Pandu brought the spoils to Bhishma and Satyavati, and with their permission, Dhritarashtra conducted many Ashwamedha sacrifices.

Subsequently, Pandu retired to the beautiful Shal forest on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, where he lived with Kunti and Madri. 

Pandu decided to retire for several reasons:

1. Curse from a Sage: The primary reason was a curse Pandu received from Sage Kindama. While hunting in the forest, Pandu mistakenly shot the sage, who was disguised as a deer with his wife. The sage, in his dying moments, cursed Pandu that if he ever attempted to have a physical relationship with his wives, he would die instantly. This curse made Pandu feel deep guilt and fear. He realized that his ability to live a normal life, especially as a king with heirs, was compromised.
2. Guilt and Remorse: Pandu was filled with guilt over the unintended killing of the sage and his wife. The curse was a constant reminder of his mistake, which led him to seek penance and live a life of asceticism. He believed that renouncing his royal duties and living in the forest would help him atone for his actions.
3. Desire for Spiritual Peace: After the curse, Pandu felt that a life in the forest, away from the temptations and responsibilities of royal life, would bring him spiritual peace. He wanted to lead a life of meditation and penance, hoping to achieve redemption and spiritual growth.
4. Ascetic Lifestyle: Influenced by the curse and his feelings of remorse, Pandu chose to embrace an ascetic lifestyle. He renounced the pleasures and luxuries of palace life and decided to live a simple, disciplined life in the forest with his wives, Kunti and Madri.
5. Impact on Kingship: Pandu felt that he could no longer effectively rule as king due to the limitations imposed by the curse. He believed that retiring would be in the best interest of the kingdom, as Dhritarashtra, his elder brother, could take over the responsibilities of the throne.

Over time, Gandhari bore 100 sons and a son from a maidservant, totaling 101 sons for Dhritarashtra. A daughter, Dusshala, was married to King Jayadratha of Sindhu.

Knowledge Bank

How to avoid worldly desires?

According to Narada-bhakti-sutra. 7-8, you can get rid of worldly desires by avoiding worldly activities and also by developing desire for Bhagavan.

Abhasa

Abhasa means that the material world as it appears is not real. The physical world, senses, and the mind are unreal. They constitute abhasa. Brahman is the only truth.