Gandhari’s Attempt to Protect Her Son

As the epic war of Kurukshetra neared its tragic conclusion, the once-mighty Kaurava army had been reduced to a few survivors. Among them, Duryodhana, Gandhari’s only surviving son, stood as her last hope. Gandhari, the devoted mother who had bound herself to darkness by choosing to remain blindfolded for her entire life, was now desperate to protect him from the impending doom.

Gandhari had always been a powerful woman, her strength rooted in her self-imposed blindness as an act of solidarity with her husband, Dhritarashtra. Through years of penance, devotion, and sacrifice, she had accumulated immense spiritual energy. In a last, desperate attempt to keep Duryodhana safe, she called upon him, asking him to appear before her, but in an unusual way—she asked him to come undressed.

When Duryodhana heard his mother’s request, he was bewildered, but Gandhari explained, “My son, I have not looked upon the world for years. The power of my penance has gathered within me. If my eyes fall upon your body, no one will be able to harm you. My sight will grant you armor as strong as steel. You will be invincible.”

Her words filled Duryodhana with hope, and he prepared to meet his mother. But as he walked toward her chambers, he encountered Krishna, who watched him with knowing eyes. Krishna, the wise strategist, could see the dire consequences of Gandhari’s plan. If Duryodhana became invincible, the war would take a darker turn, and justice would be thwarted.

With a mischievous smile, Krishna casually remarked, “Duryodhana, is it not improper for a man to present himself fully undressed before his mother? Surely, you must cover yourself at least partially.”

Duryodhana, slightly embarrassed and eager to protect his modesty, took Krishna’s words to heart. He wrapped a cloth around his thighs, unknowingly sealing his fate.

When Duryodhana entered his mother’s chambers, Gandhari stood ready, her eyes still closed. With a solemn prayer, she finally removed her blindfold, opening her eyes for the first time in years. The power of her gaze, charged with years of restraint, devotion, and love, fell upon Duryodhana. In that instant, his entire body—except his thighs—was enveloped in a divine armor, making him impervious to any weapon.

As Gandhari’s gaze softened, she sensed something amiss. She noticed the cloth around his thighs and realized that her protection had not covered them. Duryodhana confessed that Krishna had advised him to cover himself, fearing it was improper to stand fully exposed before her. Gandhari’s heart sank, understanding that Krishna’s intervention had been deliberate. She knew that Duryodhana’s vulnerability would lead to his downfall.

Despite the armor of invincibility granted by his mother’s gaze, Duryodhana’s thighs remained exposed, a fatal weakness in the otherwise impenetrable defense. This vulnerability would ultimately be his undoing, for in the final battle, Bhima struck him on his unprotected thighs, defeating him in accordance with Krishna’s guidance and fulfilling the cycle of karma.

In her heart, Gandhari was torn between the love for her son and the understanding of divine justice. She knew that Duryodhana had strayed from the path of righteousness, and though her efforts to protect him were driven by love, fate had other plans.

**Moral:** Even the most powerful love and devotion cannot shield one from the consequences of their actions. Divine justice prevails, and even a mother’s boundless love must bow to the law of karma.