Madri Asks Pandu to Persuade Kunti to Grant Her Sons
Madri, the second wife, is tormented by her childlessness while her co-wife Kunti has three sons. In private, she confesses her sorrow to Pandu and asks him to persuade Kunti to share the secret that summons the gods, so that she too might have a child.
After Kunti had borne three sons and Gandhari had given birth to a hundred, Madri, the daughter of the king of Madra, found a private moment with her husband Pandu.
"O scorcher of enemies," she said. "I am not distressed that you find no fault in me. Though I believe myself to be your equal, I have always been regarded as inferior. O king, I did not grieve when I learned Gandhari had a hundred sons. But I have one great unhappiness. Kunti and I are not equal, for she has sons and I have none. It is my destiny that my husband has obtained sons through Kunti alone."
She paused, then made her request. "If the princess Kunti can arrange it so that I too have sons, she will do me a favour, and this will be for your welfare too. Since she is my co-wife, I find it awkward to speak to her myself. But if you are pleased with me, please ask her."
Pandu replied, "O Madri, I have always thought about this matter in my own mind. But I hesitated to speak to you, because I didn't know whether you would like it or not. Now that I know what you desire, I will act on it. I am certain she will not refuse when I speak to her."
Thereupon, Pandu went to Kunti in private.