Dritrashtra The Blind King

Book excerpt: Despite being sired by one of the greatest sages of his time, the Kuru prince was not only blind by birth but also manifested several psychological infirmities as he grew up. Prodded by these frailties of body and mind, the prince, who ascended the throne of Hastinapur by an accident of fate, became an instrument for the complete annihilation of his own progeny, only to discover in the end that whatever had transpired was just a part of the cosmic drama and he was only playing out his assigned role. In the process extremes of human behavior, both positive and negative come to the fore. While some indulge in self-sacrifice to uphold their resolve and principles, others driven by intense desire and ambition cause the downfall and demise of their own well-wishers.