Sacred Laws of Marital Conduct
King Pandu relinquished his kingdom and lived in the forest with his wives. But then he realized that he will be able to attain swarga only if he had progeny. Due to the curse of the muni, he could not unite with his wives. So he asked Kunti to give birth to a son after conceiving from another noble person. Even such a son will be considered as one's own progeny.
In reply to this, Kunti narrated to Pandu the story of Vyushitashwa who conceived his even after his death through yogic power. Kunti asked Pandu also to try the same method (without physical contact).
Pandu replied to Kunti, 'What you said is true. In ancient times, Vyushitashva acted like this. But he was like a god. Let me tell you what great rishis have said about dharma. In those times, women were free.. They roamed as they wished and were not bound to one man. This was not against dharma, as it was their way of life. Even now, some follow this dharma. The maharshis approved this ancient custom, and it is still practiced in the Uttara Kuru region. This dharma favored women in ancient times.
Later, this practice changed. I will tell you how. There was a rishi named Uddalaka and his son, Shvetaketu. Once, in the presence of Shvetaketu’s father, someone else held his mother’s hand and said, ‘Come with me.’ Shvetaketu became angry at this. His father told him not to be angry, as this was the custom. But Shvetaketu did not accept this. He established a new rule. He declared that women must remain faithful to their husbands and that a man must not approach another’s wife. From that time, this dharma was followed by humans.
If a woman is unfaithful or a man seduces another’s wife, it is considered a sin. A wife who refuses to conceive when asked by her husband also commits the same sin. Sudasa’s son sent his wife Madayanti to Rishi Vashishtha for a son, and she gave birth to Ashmaka. Similarly, you know how we (Pandu and Dhritarashtra) were born through Krishna Dvaipayana. These acts were performed to uphold dharma and continue the lineage.
O Kunti! A wife must follow her husband’s word. This is dharma, especially when he desires sons. I am unable to have children, but I long for a son. Please grant me this wish. Through noble people, bear sons of great qualities for the Kuru lineage.'
Hearing these words, Kunti, devoted to her husband, replied, 'When I was young, I served a sage named Durvasa with great care. Pleased with my service, he gave me a boon. He taught me a mantra to summon any god. The god I summon will listen to me. O king, if you permit, I can use this mantra to call a god and bear a son.'
Pandu agreed to this.
English
Mahabharatam
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