King of East – Dhritarashtra

Dhritarashtra is the King of Kuru Kingdom with its capital Hastinapur. Dhritarashtra was born blind and became father to one hundred sons and one daughter Dushala by his wife Gandhari.

The Life of Dhritarashtra

In this section, we are going to learn about the life of Dhritarashtra. After that, we will learn about the short etymological description of the word Dhritarashtra itself. And Finally, we will highlight the role of Dhritarashtra in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Dhritarashtra is known as Yul Khor stung in Tibet. Dhritarashtra is also known as the Guardian of the Eastern Direction. He is the King of the Gandharva celestial musicians.

Hindu epic Mahabharata

In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra who supports and bears the nation is the King of Kuru Kingdom with its capital Hastinapur. He was born to Vichitravirya’s first wife Ambika and was fathered by Veda Vyasa.

A historical Kuru King named Dhritarashtra Vaichitravirya is mentioned in the Kathaka Samhita of the Yajurveda as a descendant of the Rigvedic-era king Sudas. His cattle were reportedly destroyed as a result of conflict with the Vratya ascetics; however, this Vedic mention does not provide corroboration for the accuracy of the Mahabharata’s account of his reign.

Earlier, we learn about the life of Dhritarashtra. Now we are going to learn about the iconography of the Dhritarashtra.

Iconography of the Dhritarashtra

In the iconography of the Dhritarashtra, we will learn about body posture, hand and leg gesture, and graphical representation of Dhritarashtra in thangka and statue.

Posture of the Dhritarashtra

In a regal appearance, Dhritarashtra is white in color, he has a broad square face with grey eyebrows, mustache, and a beard. The fingers of the right hand of Dhritarashtra is strum the golden strings of a lute having a wide green body and dark blue neck held above with the left hand. Dhritarashtra is adorned with a crown of gold studded with jewels, and earrings, tassels, and ribbons.

He is richly attired in brocade garments, trousers, and boots of various colors. The head of Dhritarashtra is encircled by an irregular dark green areola edged with licks of red and orange flame. Dhritarashtra is seated on a maroon-colored mat above a rocky bench, in a relaxed posture, the right foot presses on the stomach of a reclining figure – fair and smiling, with the right hand cupped to the ear enjoying the celestial music.

The left foot of Dhritarashtra is held up by a daemon figure which is pink of color and kneeling in an acquiescent posture. The background is filled with swirling smoke, grey and black, and the level foreground is sparse and green. Dhritarashtra, leader of the Gandharva heavenly musicians, is a worldly guardian worshipped as a protector.

He lives on the east side of the lower slopes of mountain Meru in the Heaven of the Four Great Kings. Like the other Direction Kings, the leader Vaishravana, Virupaksha, and Virudhaka, he swore an oath of protection before the buddha Shakyamuni.

Earlier, we learn about the life of Dhritarashtra and the iconography of the Dhritarashtra. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of  Dhritarashtra with Gandharva.

Dhritarashtra with Gandharva Thangka

The thangka of  Dhritarashtra with Gandharva is from Tibet. The thangka is made between 1700 – 1799 AD. Dhritarashtra with Gandharva is from Buddhist Lineage. The base of the painting is Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton.

By depicting this thangka, we will learn about Dhritarashtra.

Dhritarashtra is known as the leader of the Gandharva heavenly musicians who is a worldly guardian worshipped as a protector. He lives on the east side of the lower slopes of mountain Meru in the Heaven of the Four Great Kings. Like the other Direction Kings, the leader Vaishravana, Virupaksha, and Virudhaka. He swore an oath of protection before the buddha Shakyamuni.

Earlier, we learn about the life of Dhritarashtra,  the iconography of the Dhritarashtra, and the representation of  Dhritarashtra with Gandharva. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of Dhritarashtra with Virupaksha.

Dhritarashtra with Virupaksha Thangka

The thangka of Dhritarashtra with Virupaksha is from Tibet. This thangka is made between 1500 – 1599 AD. Dhritarashtra with Virupaksha is from Uncertain lineage. The size of the thangka is 62.23×45.72cm. The base of the painting is Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton. Currently, this painting is in the Rubin Museum of Art.

By depicting this thangka, we will learn about the presentation of Dhritarashtra with Virudhaka and Three Seated Buddhas, etc.

On the left side, Dhritarashtra is green in color who is slightly wrathful in appearance with an open red mouth and bared fangs. The two hands of Dhritarashtra hold a lute. The right strumming with the fingers. And the left holding the neck upraised to the side.

Dhritarashtra is adorned with an elaborate crown and large gold earrings. Dhritarashtra is attired with long flowing garments of various color white pants and decorative boots. Dhritarashtra is Standing atop a rocky outcropping he is surrounded by clouds and a dark blue nimbus about the head.

Dhritarashtra is the leader of the Gandharvas who is also known as the celestial musician and lives on the eastern side of mountain Sumeru – the center of a small Buddhist world system.

Virudhaka

Virudhaka is on the right side of the thangka. Virudhaka is dark blue in color. Virudhaka is known as wrathful visage. The lower teeth of Virudhaka is biting down on the upper lip.

Virudhakais holding the hilt of a long sword in the right hand and the blade pointed downwards held with the left. Virudhaka is adorned with a gold crown topped with a red streamer he wears elaborate garments rich with color and design, white pants, and boots. A dark green areola encircles the head and variously colored clouds surround the body.

He is the leader of the Kumbhandas, a race of fierce beings living in the lower heavenly realms, and resides on the south side of mountain Sumeru.

Three Seated Buddhas

Three Seated buddhas are at the top of the thangka. Three seated buddhas are red in color with the two hands placed in the mudra (gesture) of meditation supporting a black begging bowl.

Earlier, we learn about the life of Dhritarashtra,  the iconography of the Dhritarashtra, and the representation of  Dhritarashtra with Gandharva. And Finally, we learn about the  representation of Dhritarashtra with Virupaksha.

Vajradhara Thangka Painting

Vajradhara Thangka Painting is hand-painted by a thangka artist in Nepal. Vajradhara is also known as primordial Buddha.

Buy Vajradhara Thangka Painting