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In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Vichitravirya (Sanskrit: विचित्रवीर्य, vichitravīrya) is the younger son of queen Satyavati and king Santanu. Chitrangada, the elder brother of Vichitravirya, succeeded Santanu to the throne of Hastinapura. When he died childless, Vichitravirya, became king.

As Vichitravirya was still a child when he was crowned king, Bhishma ruled as his regent. When the young king was of the age to marry, Bhishma looked for a suitable bride. He heard the king of Kasi was holding a swayamvara for his three daughters. Since Vichitravirya himself was too young to stand any chance of being chosen by the young women, Bhishma himself went to the swayamvara.

Bhishma won the swayamvara and brought the Princesses Amba, Ambika and Ambalika to marry Vichitravirya. Since Amba had already given her heart to some other, Ambika and Ambalika were married to Vichitravirya.

Unfortunately, shortly after his marriage, Vichitravirya died of consumption tuberculosis. As he died heirless, Vyasa was summoned to subsequently father Pandu, Dhritarashtra and Vidura.

Vyasa came to help have Ambika, Ambalika childrens with his yogic power. Vyasa told that Ambika, Ambalika should come alone near him. First Ambika came, but because of shyness and fear she closed her eyes. Vyasa told Satyavati that child will be blind. Later this child was named Dhristrashtra. So Satyawati sent Ambalika and warned her that she should remain calm. But Ambalika's face became pale because of fear. Vyasa told that child will suffer from anaemia, and he will not be fit enough to rule the kingdom. Later this child was known as Pandu. Then Vyasa told Satyavati to send one of them again so that a healthy child can be born. This time Ambika and Ambalika sent her maid in the place of themselves. Maid was quite calm and composed during the yogic process, and so she got a healthy child later named as Vidura.

• Dhritarashtra, Ambika
• Pandu, Ambalika

Hinduism | Hindu mythology | Indian epic poetry
Female Deities: Saraswati | Mariamman | Lakshmi | Dakshayani | Gayatri | Parvati | Durga | Shakti | Kali | Sita | Devi | Radha | Mahavidya | more...
Male Deities: Brahma | Vishnu | Shiva | Rama | Krishna | Ganesha | Murugan | Hanuman | Ayyanar | Indra | Surya | more...
Texts: Vedas | Upanishads | Puranas | Ramayana | Mahabharata | Rigveda
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• Persons and Stories from Mahabharata