Pandu, 4 Definition(s)

1. Pandu

Ancestor of the Pandavas (Cv.lxiv.43). The name is also for those who claimed to belong to that dynasty- e.g., in the case of the kings of Madhura. E.g., Mhv.vii.50. See also Pandu.

See also Panduraja.

A Sakiyan, son of Amitodana; he was the father of Bhaddakaccana and her six brothers. On learning from soothsayers of the impending destruction of the Sakiyans by Vidudabha, Pandu left the Sakiyan country and settled beyond the Ganges. Mhv.viii.18 f.; Dpv.x.i.

His wife was Susima. MT. 275.

See Panduputta.

-- or --

A nation in South India, the Pandiyas. Their country comprised the greater part of the Madura and Tinnevelly, with its capital first at Kolkai and later at Madhura.

Ceylon was inconstant communication with this country, both peaceful and otherwise. Marauding bands of Pandus often came to Ceylon and, having deposed the rightful sovereign, ruled over the country. Chief among these invasions were the following: (a) for fourteen years, when Vattagamani lay in hiding; (b) for twenty seven years, after the death of Mahanama and until Dhatusena established his authority; (c) in the time of Sena I.; (d) after the death of Mahinda V. They also came with Magha and Candabhanu, and, later, with Aryacakkavattin, who succeeded in carrying the Tooth Relic away to the Pandyan court; this was later rescued by Parakkamabahu III. Sometimes the Singhalese kings would make reprisals by invading the Pandyan territory e.g., in the reign of Sena II., and, perhaps also, under Nissanka Malla. Parakkamabahu I. sent an army under his general Lankapura to help the Pandyan king Parakrama Pandya against the Cola king, Kulasekhara. This, according to the Mahavamsa account, brought great joy to the Singhalese.

Mention is made in the chronicles of several marriages between members of the Pandyan and the Singhalese royal families. Vijaya himself took his consort from the Pandyan king at Madhura, and later, Mitta, sister of Vijayabahu I., married a Pandyan prince who became the grandfather of Parakkamabahu 1. This led to the establishment of a Pandyan party in Ceylon which was not always loyal to the reigning monarch e.g., in the case of Vikkamabahu III. Parakkama Pandu, who deposed Lilavati, evidently belonged to this party and probably also Vijaya III. The Pandyan kings claimed descent from the Lunar race.

Codrington, op. cit., 15. For other references, see under the names mentioned. Reference should also be made to the Index at the end of the Culavamsa, s.v. Pandu.

King Pandu was father of the Pandava brothers that fought in the epic Kurukshetra war. He was born to Ambalika and Vyasa.

Pandu was the half-brother of Dhritarashtra.

Also see: Dhritarashtra

Pandu was the son of the Kashi princess Ambalika, by Vyasa. He was deemed to be a descendent of his mother's husband Vichitraveerya, who had died issueless. He was born pale, as his mother had turned pale with fright while conceiving him. Since his elder brother Dhritharashtra was born blind, Pandu was crowned as the king and ruled over the kingdom well. He married Kunti (also known as Prita), the adopted daughter of KuntiBhoja. He also took a second wife Madri, the sister of Salya.

Pāṇḍu (पाण्‍डु): Second son of Vichitravirya and Ambalika who succeeded to the throne of Hastinapura on his father's death, as his elder brother Dhritarashtra was born blind, father of the Pandavas.