Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 115 — Mādri’s request; invocation of the Aśvins; birth and naming of the Pāṇḍavas
पाण्डो: कुन्त्यां च माद्रयां च पुत्रा: पजच महारथा: । देवेभ्य: समपद्यन्त संतानाय कुलस्य वै,पाण्डुके कुन्ती और माद्रीके गर्भसे पाँच महारथी पुत्र उत्पन्न हुए। वे सब कुरुकुलकी संतानपरम्पराकी रक्षाके लिये देवताओंके अंशसे प्रकट हुए थे
pāṇḍoḥ kuntyāṃ ca mādryāṃ ca putrāḥ pañca mahārathāḥ | devebhyaḥ samapadyanta santānāya kulasya vai ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : « De Pāṇḍu, par Kuntī et aussi par Mādrī, naquirent cinq fils—de grands guerriers de char. Ils apparurent comme des parts des dieux, pour la continuité et la sauvegarde de la lignée. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse frames the Pāṇḍavas’ birth as divinely purposed: extraordinary individuals arise not merely by human lineage but as instruments for preserving the continuity and rightful order of the dynasty, implying a providential dimension to dharma and succession.
Vaiśampāyana states that Pāṇḍu’s two queens, Kuntī and Mādrī, bore five heroic sons. Their birth is described as arising from the gods, emphasizing that the Pāṇḍavas are divinely endowed and destined to sustain the family line.