At that very moment, the revered sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa himself took charge of the mysterious mass of flesh that had been born to Gandhari. With great care and divine insight, he divided it, portioning out a hundred equal parts and placing each into separate jars, as had been instructed. When he had finished, Vyasa found that there remained one more piece in his left hand, after a full hundred had been counted out. Turning to Gandhari, the daughter of King Subala, he spoke gently. “You shall have a hundred sons, just as you desired—this is my promise, and it will not fail. And by divine providence, there remains this one portion beyond the hundred. From this, a daughter will be born to you, a most fortunate child, fulfilling your wish for a daughter as well.” With these words, the ascetic placed the remaining piece into a jar, just as he had with the others. In due time, from this portion, the youngest of all the children was born—a daughter. Thus, O Bharata, the birth of Duḥśalā, Gandhari’s daughter, came to pass. Now, O King, if you wish to hear more, I shall recount to you the names and order of Dhritarashtra’s sons, one by one. First among them was Duryodhana, followed by Yuyutsu, Duḥśāsana, Duḥsaha, Duḥśala, Jalasandha, Sama, and Saha. Then came Vindānuvinda, Durdharṣa, Subāhu, Duṣpradharṣaṇa, Durmarṣaṇa, Durmukha, Duṣkarṇa, and Karṇa himself. The list continued with Viviṃśati, Vikarna, Śala, Satva, Sulocana, Citropacitra, Citrākṣa, Cārucitra, and Śarāsana. Next were Durmada, Durvigāha, Vivitsu, Vikaṭānana, Ūrṇanābha, Sunābha, Nanda, and Upananda. Following them were Citrabāṇa, Citravarman, Suvarman, Durvimocana, Ayobāhu, Mahābāhu, Citrāṅga, and Citrakuṇḍala. Then came Bhīmavega, Bhīmabala, Balākī, Balavardhana, Ugrāyudha, Suṣeṇa, Kuṇḍadhāra, and Mahodara. Next were Citrāyudha, Niṣaṅgī, Pāśī, Vṛndāraka, Dṛḍhavarman, Dṛḍhakṣatra, Somakīrti, and Anūdara. Among them was Jarasandha, renowned for his steadfast alliances, his truthfulness in assembly, his fame for fierce deeds, his mighty army, and his prowess in battle. He was unconquered, resting on a bed of spikes, broad-eyed, difficult to subdue, strong-handed, and as resplendent as the wind itself. He bore the banner of the sun, was voracious, adorned with serpents, foremost among the honored, armored, a crusher in battle, and adorned with brilliant earrings. Fierce and terrible on the chariot, heroic, strong-armed, insatiable, fearless, and steadfast, he performed dreadful deeds on the battlefield. Unassailable, loud-voiced, long-haired, full of vigor, long-armed, broad-chested, bearing a golden banner—he was resplendent among warriors. And among these sons was Duḥśalā, the daughter, whose virtues and grace surpassed even the hundred brothers. Thus, O King, Dhritarashtra had a hundred sons and, in addition, a daughter—making a hundred and one children in all, as I have recounted their names and order of birth. All these sons were great chariot-warriors, valiant in battle, skilled in arms, learned in the Vedas, and adept in every weapon. For each of them, at the proper time, King Dhritarashtra chose suitable spouses, considering each match carefully. And when the time was right, he gave his daughter Duḥśalā in marriage to Jayadratha, following the customs of the house of Bharata. Thus, O King, there were a hundred sons, with Yuyutsu making one more than a hundred, and the daughter Duḥśalā, as I have described. Meanwhile, when the mightiest among the Kaurava princes was born, Pandu, their uncle, became anxious. He wondered how he might obtain a son who would be the greatest in the world, surpassing all others. For, as is known, the world is governed both by fate and human effort, but even effort bears fruit only when the ordained time arrives. Pandu reflected on the greatness of Indra, king of the gods, who is renowned for his immeasurable strength, energy, valor, and radiance. He resolved, “By pleasing Indra with austerities, I shall obtain a son of great might—a son who will be a hero, able to conquer both superhuman and human adversaries in battle, by deed, thought, and word. For this, I must undertake rigorous austerity.” With this resolve, King Pandu consulted with great sages and instructed his wife Kunti to observe a sacred vow for a full year. He himself, mighty-armed and resolute, stood on one foot, performing fierce austerities with unwavering concentration, seeking to propitiate the Lord of the gods, Indra, together with the Sun. Pleased with Pandu’s devotion, Indra spoke: “I will grant you a son, renowned throughout the three worlds—a son who will benefit Brahmanas, cows, and friends; who will bring grief to the wicked and joy to his relatives. I will give you a foremost son, destroyer of all enemies.” Remembering Indra’s promise, Pandu turned to Kunti and said, “O blessed one, the Lord of the gods is pleased with you. He wishes to grant you a son, just as you desired—one of superhuman deeds, famed, and unconquerable by foes. This son will be virtuous, great-souled, brilliant as the Sun, difficult to defeat, accomplished in action, and wondrous in appearance. Bear this son, O fair-hipped one, the very embodiment of Kshatriya energy. Having gained the favor of Indra, name him accordingly, O pure-smiled one.” Thus, through the blessings of the gods and the resolve of the king and queen, the line of the Bharatas was strengthened, and the world awaited the birth of a mighty hero.