29 Facts About Kunti

Kunti, known as Pritha, is a prominent female character in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Kunti later shared the mantra with Madri, who bore Nakula and Sahadeva.

Years after Yudhishthira's ascension to the throne of the Kurus, Kunti retired to the forest along with other Kuru elders, eventually passing away in a forest fire.

Kunti's name is believed to possess purifying qualities, capable of dispelling sin when recited.

Kunti is lauded as the epitome of maturity, foresight, and dutiful womanhood.

Kunti is uniquely privileged in this section of the text.

Kunti remains largely in the background following the Adi Parva until the Udyoga Parva, the fifth book of the Mahabharata.

The feminine epithet Kunti is a patronymic derivative, which the character acquired through her adoption by Kunti-bhoja.

Kunti, originally named Pritha, is born into the lineage of the Yadava clan.

Kunti is the eldest child of Shurasena, a chief among the Yadavas and the father of several other children, most notably Vasudeva, the future father of Krishna.

Kunti's family is further detailed in the Bhagavata Purana, a later text focusing primarily on the life of Krishna.

Later in life, Kunti reveals that she resents this act of adoption.

Kunti recalls that she was merely playing with a ball when her father transferred her like wealth, and she felt humiliated by this decision.

Kunti attempts to allay her fears by promising that her virginity will remain intact and that their son will be born with divine qualities.

Kunti chose King Pandu of Hastinapur, making her the Queen of Hastinapur.

Kunti was disturbed by her husband's actions, but eventually reconciled with him and treated Madri as a sister.

Kunti happily advised her to beget children by suitable, illustrious men.

Kunti invoked Ashvins for Madri on her behest and Madri gave birth to twin sons, Nakula and Sahadeva.

Kunti gave special care to Madreyas especially Sahadeva, the youngest one.

Kunti was left helpless in the forest with her children.

Kunti engineered a plot where Bhima would be able to face and kill the demon.

Bhima is reluctant, but Kunti ordered Bhima to marry Hidimbi seeing merit in the woman.

Kunti was shocked after realizing the implications of her words, that is, all of the Pandavas married Draupadi thinking that they are obeying their mother's orders.

Kunti chose to stay in Vidura's house rather than the royal palace.

Kunti promised that at the end of the war she would still have five sons, the fifth one be either Arjuna or Karna himself.

Pradip Bhattacharya, a scholar of the Mahabharata and author of Panchakanya: "One-in Herself" Why Kunti Remains a Kanya, highlights her as a symbol of strong womanhood, noting her resolve, adaptability, and the critical role she played in her sons' lives.

Kunti's agency is first demonstrated in her selection of Pandu at her svayamvara and her subsequent loyalty in following him into exile, despite his marriage to Madri.

When Pandu requests that Kunti conceive sons through other men, she initially resists, revealing her personal integrity and resolve.

Kunti ultimately agrees the choice of divine progenitors is not hers; it rests with Pandu, underlining the limitations of her autonomy within her marriage.