Suruchi Sharma
The commonly cited reason for the Mahabharata war is the mutual hostility between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. However, few people are aware of the actual truth behind it.
Shakuni was a pivotal figure in the Mahabharata, instigating the epic war. From the start to the finish, Shakuni aimed to annihilate the Kuru dynasty through conflict. Let's uncover the secret behind his actions.
Gandhari had a Manglik dosha, so she was first married to a goat before marrying Dhritarashtra, and then the goat was sacrificed. Astrologers arranged Gandhari's marriage to a goat, which was subsequently sacrificed.
After Dhritarashtra and Bhishma Pitamah learned about this matter post-marriage, they attacked the Kingdom of Gandhara and imprisoned 100 individuals, including Gandhari's father, King Subal, and her mother, Sudarma, along with Shakuni.
The situation for everyone in the jail worsened as they were provided with just a small amount of grain to eat daily. Each person's share was only a single grain. Consequently, many of King Subal's sons gradually died of starvation.
In order to seek revenge on the Kuru dynasty, King Subal of Gandhara chose to spare the intelligent and shrewd Shakuni, grooming him for retribution. Consequently, the remaining individuals began offering their food to Shakuni, who witnessed his family perish in torment before his very eyes.
Before his death, King Subal begged Dhritarashtra to free Shakuni, to which Dhritarashtra consented. However, to ensure Shakuni never forgot his desire for revenge amidst the palace's splendor, he broke one of his legs, serving as a constant reminder of the insult to his family.
To seek revenge, Shakuni gave up the kingdom of Gandhara and moved to Hastinapur to live with his sister and nephews. During his time in Hastinapur, Shakuni instigated a significant rift between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, aiming to bring about the downfall of the entire Kuru dynasty.