Who Begotten?
BY: BUDDHIMANTA DAS
Mar 18, 2012 — NEW ZEALAND (SUN) — I am hoping the Sun readers may be able to offer some clarification on an apparent contradiction I recently read in Bhagavatam.
I have always understood that the two Pandava twins, Nakula and Sahadeva were conceived in the womb of Madri, wife of Maharaj Pandu, from the Asvini-Kumara twins as a result of her using the mantra(s) given to Kunti devi from Durvasa Muni, and that King Pandu could not impregnate either of his wives due to a curse he received while hunting (see translation to Srimad Bhagavatam 9.22.27-28 is below).
However, I read this morning in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.13.3-4 what seems like a contradiction to this. In the purport, Srila Prabhupada clearly indicates that Nakula and Sahadeva were fathered by King Pandu in the womb of Madri. There is no mention of the Asvini- Kumara twins. Could anyone please shed some light on this seemingly differing account by Srila Prabhupada on the subject of the impregnating of Madri?
Following are the references, the seemingly contradictory statements are in bold italics.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.13.3-4 Purport:
"Mahārāja Pāṇḍu later wanted to retire from family life and adopt the renounced order of life. Kuntī refused to allow her husband to adopt such life, but at last Mahārāja Pāṇḍu gave her permission to become a mother of sons by calling some other suitable personalities. Kuntī did not accept this proposal at first, but when vivid examples were set by Pāṇḍu she agreed. Thus by dint of the mantra awarded by Durvāsā Muni she called for Dharmarāja, and thus Yudhiṣṭhira was born. She called for the demigod Vāyu (air), and thus Bhīma was born. She called for Indra, the King of heaven, and thus Arjuna was born. The other two sons, namely Nakula and Sahadeva, were begotten by Pāṇḍu himself in the womb of Mādrī. Later on, Mahārāja Pāṇḍu died at an early age, for which Kuntī was so aggrieved that she fainted. Two co-wives, namely Kuntī and Mādrī, decided that Kuntī should live for the maintenance of the five minor children, the Pāṇḍavas, and Mādrī should accept the satī rituals by meeting voluntary death along with her husband. This agreement was endorsed by great sages like Śataśṛṅga and others present on the occasion."
Srimad Bhagavatam 9.22.27-28, Translation:
"Pāṇḍu was restrained from sexual life because of having been cursed by a sage, and therefore his three sons Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma and Arjuna were begotten through the womb of his wife, Kuntī, by Dharmarāja, by the demigod controlling the wind, and by the demigod controlling the rain. Pāṇḍu's second wife, Mādrī, gave birth to Nakula and Sahadeva, who were begotten by the two Aśvinī-kumāras. The five brothers, headed by Yudhiṣṭhira, begot five sons through the womb of Draupadī. These five sons were your uncles."
yours in the service of Guru and Gauranga,
Buddhimanta das
