Everyone knows the name of Dhritarashtra, the uncle of the five great soldier-men, the Pandavas.
Dhritarashtra was blind; and Dhritarashtra was alone in his blindness.
And when Gandhari, his bride, saw the hurt of his loneliness—“Let me in to him behind his bars of darkness,” she said to the gods.
And she bound her eyes tightly; and day and night were alike to her for ever. But Dhritarashtra was no more lonely in his night of sightlessness.
The Story of the Maiden-Knight
Drupada, the King of the Panchalas, had prayed for a son, that he might destroy his enemy the Master-Archer.
But his wife was childless. Then as he still prayed and prayed, Shiva appeared to him and told him that he should have a son who should first be a daughter.
And in due time a daughter was born to him. But the Queen said, “She is a son;” and so great was her faith that she prevailed on the King to proclaim the child a son, and to perform the son-ceremonies.
And the child was called Shikhandi. And she grew strong and beautiful: but was seen of none save her parents and her faithful nurse.
All too soon it was time for her to be married. And again by the advice of the Queen, they sought for her the most beautiful princess in all India. “We must believe the word of the gods,” said the Queen.