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The Roots of War
 There was a king by name Sura in the dynasty of Yadu. If we trace the origins of the Yadu dynasty, it would take us to the story of king Yayati, who exchanged his old age for the youth of his son Puru. Yayati had five sons, born to Devayani and Sarmishta, who were known as Yadu, Dhurvasu, Thrkyu, Anu and Puru. The dynasty of Yadu, in which Krishna was born, originated from the eldest son of Yayati and was known by his name. The lineage of Dhurvasu was known as Yavanas; that of Thrkyu Bhojas; the line that started from Anu was known as Milechas; and that of Puru, Pauravas. Kauravas and Pandavas come in the original line of Pauravas, some forty-seven generations (roughly) after
Yayati.
Sura was a very highly respected king. King Kuntibhoja was the son of Sura’s paternal aunt. Apart from being relatives, the two were close friends and held each other with love, affection and respect. Kuntibhoja was a saintly king, widely read and treading the path of rectitude. Blessed was his life in all respects, except in one. And that happened to be the most vital of all blessings that a man would yearn for. He did not beget children. So great was the affection that prevailed among them that Sura promised to give the first child born to him to Kuntibhoja, in adoption.
The first child that was born to Sura was a daughter. She was christened as Prtha. Sura remembered the promise he made to Kuntibhoja and gifted him with his daughter, in adoption. Kuntibhoja showered his love on Prtha, who grew up as his only child. Prtha is more popularly known as Kunti, after her foster father.
 A son was born to King Sura after that. That son, second child of Sura, younger brother of Prtha - Kunti - was Vasudeva. Krishna was born to him and Devaki, in prison. Therefore, Kunti becomes the paternal aunt of Krishna. Arjuna’s other name Partha, is actually the metronymic of Prtha. Partha is nothing but ‘son of
Prtha’.
Kunti grew up into a very wise and evolved soul. She played a very silent role in the epic; but a very important one at that. She had her say in the administration, people listened to her with respect whenever she offered advice. In fact, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has culled her teachings and has published them in one compact book under the title ‘Teachings of Kunti,’ with
interpretations.
Kunti was known for her patience and respect for elders, which quality she displayed even as a young girl. Sage Dhurvasa visited the palace of Kuntibhoja and the responsibility of looking after the sage, who is known for his anger and his penchant for cursing people, fell on Kunti. However, she had no difficulty in discharging that onerous responsibility and the fact was that even Dhurvasa was delighted by the way she looked after him.
 Sage Dhurvasa foresaw what would befall this poor girl, in the years to come. He thought that this girl should be saved from the peculiar circumstances in her life that would make her remain childless. Her husband would be handsome, valiant and would love her from the bottom of his heart. But, he would be precluded from procreation by the peculiar twist of events. Dhurvasa therefore taught her a mantra. The deity whom Kunti wished would appear before her and bless her with a child when she uttered the mantra.
And, from this incident starts a whole new series of events with so many gripping, moving and emotional scenes, setting brother against brothers, none - excepting Krishna and Bhishma, apart from Kunti - knowing the real relationship of her eldest son, Karna, and a mother in a pitiable condition of remaining unable to call her son a son in public, till his death.
Hari Krishnan
harikrishnan@vsnl.net
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