Shloka 25
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
क्षेत्रेऽप्रजस्य वै भ्रातुर्मात्रोक्तो बादरायण: । धृतराष्ट्रं च पाण्डुं च विदुरं चाप्यजीजनत् ॥ २५ ॥
kṣetre ’prajasya vai bhrātur mātrokto bādarāyaṇaḥ dhṛtarāṣṭraṁ ca pāṇḍuṁ ca viduraṁ cāpy ajījanat
ในครรภ์ของภรรยาพี่น้องผู้ไร้ทายาท ตามคำสั่งของมารดา พระพาทรายณะ (เวทวยาสะ) ได้ให้กำเนิด ธฤตราษฏระ ปาณฑุ และวิทุระ
Vicitravīrya died of tuberculosis, and his wives, Ambikā and Ambālikā, had no issue. Therefore, after Vicitravīrya’s death, his mother, Satyavatī, who was also the mother of Vyāsadeva, asked Vyāsadeva to beget children through the wives of Vicitravīrya. In those days, the brother of the husband could beget children through the womb of his sister-in-law. This was known as devareṇa sutotpatti. If the husband was somehow unable to beget children, his brother could do so through the womb of his sister-in-law. This devareṇa sutotpatti and the sacrifices of aśvamedha and gomedha are forbidden in the Age of Kali.
FAQs
This verse states that Vyāsa (Badarāyaṇa), on the request of the mother, begot Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Pāṇḍu, and Vidura in the wife of his brother who was without progeny.
Because the brother was without heirs, and at the mother’s request Vyāsa acted so the Kuru line would continue—an act connected with preserving dynastic continuity and dharma in royal succession.
It highlights responsibility to family and tradition: when guided by elders and higher principles, one may accept difficult duties for the welfare of a larger lineage or community.