Kunti Summons Dharma and Vayu, Giving Birth to Yudhishthira and Bhima
With Gandhari pregnant for a year, Pandu desires a son and instructs Kunti to use the boon given by Durvasa. She summons Dharma, the god of righteousness, and gives birth to Yudhishthira. Then, wanting a son of strength, she summons Vayu, the wind god, and gives birth to Bhima—whose first act is to shatter a mountain.
After Gandhari had been with child for a year, Pandu spoke to Kunti. He desired a son. Remembering the boon given to her long ago by the sage Durvasa—the power to summon any god for a child—Kunti agreed. She performed the rites and summoned the undecaying Dharma, the god of righteousness himself.
Through his powers of yoga, Dharma assumed a form and united with her. In time, Kunti gave birth to a son. It was an auspicious moment: the eighth hour of the day, the sun in the middle of the sky, the moon in conjunction with the star Abhijit. As soon as the boy was born, an invisible voice spoke from the sky. “There is no doubt that he will be supreme among those who uphold dharma. Pandu’s first-born son will be famous by the name of Yudhishthira. He will also be a famous king, renowned in the three worlds—endowed with fame, radiance and adherence to vows.”
Pandu was pleased with this virtuous son. But he wanted more. “It is said that the best thing for Kshatriyas is strength,” he told Kunti. “Therefore, ask for a son who has great strength.”
Kunti invoked Vayu, the wind god. Through him, she obtained a second son: the mighty-armed Bhima, whose strength was terrifying. As soon as he was born, the invisible voice spoke again. “This son will be the strongest among all those who are strong.”
An extraordinary event followed immediately. Kunti, asleep with the newborn in her lap, was startled awake by a dream of a tiger. In her fright, she forgot the child was there. Bhima fell from her lap. His body, hard as vajra (the thunderbolt weapon), struck the mountain where they lived and shattered it into a hundred fragments.
Pandu witnessed the mountain break apart and was astounded. On that very same day, in Hastinapura, Gandhari gave birth to Duryodhana.