There is a lot of hate surrounding Kunti in Mahabharat, a lot of it comes from misconceptions, a lot comes from blind following of certain character *cough* but today I thought to shed some light on her true character. And then you can decide for yourself whether she deserves such hate or not.
Kunti, earlier know as Pritha, was the eldest daughter of Shurasen. She was given away to his friend, King Kuntibhoj because he had no kids of his own, and hence Pritha became Kunti.
Growing up in Kuntibhoj's home, Kunti was a very disciplined, soft-spoken, well-mannered, well-behaved and responsible girl. You can judge her character a lot by the fact that she served the infamous Rishi Durvasa and pleased him.
To test her patience, Rishi Durvasa would throw tantrums and make difficult requests. But Kunti kept her calm and fulfilled all the demands of the sage to the best of her capabilities.
Pleased by her dedication, Rishi Durvasa gives her a mantra that will allow her to call upon any deity and beget a child from him.
But since Kunti was a young girl then, out of curiosity she invoked Suryadev with that mantra. And she was astonished that he actually showed up with the intention of blessing her with a son.
Kunti got scared because she wasn't even married then ! What about the reputation of her parents ? What about the reputation of Kuntibhoj ? She asked for forgiveness and requested Suryadev to return, but the god was bound to the power of mantra and couldn't return without fulfilling the deed.
Kunti relented and became pregnant. Throughout that period she made excuses to stay in her room so that no one would know that she was pregnant. Only one of her handmaiden knew and she arranged for the delivery of the baby.
And when the time came, the torn Kunti gave birth to a son born with natural armour and earrings. Now the reputation of her family and kingdoms was at stake. And Kunti didn't want them to face any shame.
Thus she wrapped the baby, put him in a basket and let it float away, praying to Suryadev to take care of his child.
Now this incident in her life brings her a lot of hate. But try putting yourself in Kunti's place. What would you've done if you were young, unmarried, with a child, and the reputation of foster parents to save ?
Kunti had no other option. The knowledge of being a foster daughter and hence the need to be beyond reproach was heavy in young Kunti's mind.
But did she just let Karna float away and never looked back ? NO !
We know that Karna was found on the banks of Champa city in Anga Desh and adopted by Adirath and Radha of Suta community, who named him Vasusen.
Kunti had confirmed through her spies that her son was safe and growing up in a good household.
And then skip to the future, she gets married to Pandu, begets him 3 children, and helps Madri beget 2. And after the death of both Pandu and Madri, Kunti takes care of all 5 Pandavas, no difference between her and Madri's sons. Infact she takes extra care of Sehdev.
It was her upbringing that made Pandavas, especially Yudhishthir so popular among the citizens of Hastinapur. It was Kunti's values that made him Dharmraj.
After the Lakshagriha incident when Pandavas and Kunti were in hiding on behest of Vidur, because their safety was not yet guaranteed, they found shelter in the house of a Brahmin in Ekachakra nagar.
When she comes to know that one person from her host's family would be offered as food to the demon Bakasur, Kunti stepped in. How can she let any harm befall her hosts ? Kunti said that her son Bheem would go as Bakasur's food.
Yudhishthir was unhappy about the decision. How could a mother let her own son be offered to a demon to save someone else's son ? And this is a very valid question that shows the sacrificial nature of Kunti.
She was firm. Even in pain, she knew she was a daughter, wife and mother of Kshatriya. And as a Kshatriya woman, she had to ensure safety of her host.
And then Bheem went and challenged Bakasur. As Kunti has expected, her son won and killed the demon.
And later the Pandavas married Draupadi, returned to Hastinapur, then established Indraprastha and so on. In fact the notable thing is the harmony of relation between Kunti and Draupadi. Kunti said that Yagyaseni was more beloved to her than her own sons.
While Draupadi was one major factor that united the brothers, it was Kunti who laid the foundation through her upbringing. Thus the good relations between them isn't unexpected.
Yudhishthir became emperor, the treacherous Dyut Sabha happened, Pandavas got exile once again. Kunti couldn't go with them this time, because she had aged.
To protest against the ill treatment against her sons and daughter-in-law, she chose not to stay at the Hastinapur palace but instead lived 13 years in Vidur's home.
After the failed Sandhi attempt, when Krishna was leaving, he asked Kunti whether she had any message for the Pandavas. And she sent a very strong one.
She didn't urge the Pandavas to take revenge but urged them to seek justice and fight for their rights.
And these days people have been comparing Kunti with Gandhari, saying that the latter was a better mother.
Firstly, I don't think comparing two mothers is the right thing to do. But for the sake of the discussion, I don't believe that Gandhari was better than Kunti.
AND PLEASE SERIAL DEKH KAR DEBATE MAT KARNA.
Surely Gandhari was a great Shiv-bhakt, and also one with sacrificial nature. I accept and praise that.
But there are a few points that makes her stand behind Kunti -
1) She hit her own pregnant womb out of jealousy when she heard Yudhishthir was born.
2) She always censured Dhritrashtra for letting their kids go astray, but she herself never did anything to bring them on right path.
And if you say it was Shakuni's influence.... Bro, like Gandhari could've told Shakuni to leave for Gandhar. She could've ordered her sons not to meet Shakuni. Who would've stopped her !?
3) Even in the luxuries of Palace, even with all the family around, with all the resources Kauravas became adharmi. Whereas Kunti alone took care of her sons, and spent most of her life in forest.
4) The Pandavas never went astray from Dharma, even after Dyut sabha they accepted the exile. But the Kauravas ? They performed deceit after deceit from childhood till their last breath.
Kunti was the true queen of Hastinapur, she was the first wife of the crowned King Pandu, yet she was disregarded by her in-laws. She herself has said this to Krishna, the only time she let her emotions loose.
And even after the war, when Yudhishthir finally sat on throne of Hastinapur. Kunti decided to accompany Gandhari and Dhritarashtra to the forest and served them till her last breath. Because she believed that was her duty.
The main difference between Kunti and Gandhari is that Gandhari, who had everything, chose to become helpless while Kunti, who had nothing, chose not to be helpless and stay strong for her sons.
The great thing about Mahabharat is that we learn something from all the characters in this history. And from Kunti, the epitome of a warrior mother, we learn service, patience and endurance.
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A/N
The qualities of patience, service and endurance can be well seen in the Pandavas ✨
And her dedication can be seen especially in Arjun ✨