The Origins of a Kingdom The story begins with King Shantanu of Hastinapur, who falls in love with the fisherwoman Satyavati. To ensure his father’s happiness, the prince Devavrata willingly renounces his claim to the throne. Satyavati’s son, Chitrangada, dies unexpectedly, prompting Satyavati to call upon her premarital son, Vyasa, to help continue the lineage. Through Vyasa, two heirs—Dhritarashtra, born blind, and Pandu—are born. Pandu ascends the throne while Dhritarashtra remains sidelined due to his blindness. This intricate family background sets the stage for political intrigue, rivalry, and the complexities of dynastic succession. The Birth of the Princes Pandu marries…