Geethartha Chinthane 66: Impact of parents' mentality on children

When Pandu desired children, his goal was to ensure the protection of dharma (righteousness). For dharma to be protected, what should be the mindset of the Kshatriyas who are to rule? With this thought in mind, he planned his children like one would do family planning. For a household to be complete, there must be five types of children – one for religious duties, one for valor, one for management, one for affection, and one for righteousness.

When Kunti became pregnant, Gandhari became jealous. In her jealousy, she pressed her stomach, causing her womb to split into a hundred parts. Sage Vedavyasa intervened and ensured that the hundred parts developed into living children. The Kauravas were born with this background of jealousy. This is why they couldn’t tolerate the success of the Pandavas and always plotted to kill them. Every step taken by the Kauravas was filled with envy. In contrast, the Pandavas were born to uphold dharma.

Despite the dishonor of their wife, the Pandavas forgave and endured. Even when they knew poison was mixed in their food, they endured it. Children grow up with the mindset in which they are conceived. In the case of the Kauravas, there was not just Gandhari’s jealousy but also Dhritarashtra’s blind attachment. The mentality of parents greatly influences the children.