Hastinapur was moving forward with time. Mother Satyavati and grandfather Bhishma had now left behind the memories of the past and were settled in the present. As per his great promise, Bhishma had dedicated himself completely to the protection of Hastinapura and its throne, while Satyavati was also engrossed in the dignity and safety of this glorious Kuru dynasty. The marriage of both Dhritarashtra and Pandu had been completed and now there was hope for the arrival of a new generation in the dynasty.
Vaishampayana described that King Pandu spent some time happily with his wives Kunti and Madri, but soon he handed over the reins of the kingdom under the protection of Bhishma and left for Digvijaya. Wherever he went, he conquered many states with his might. At some places he established friendship treaties, at other places he established a just rule by removing unjust kings. After this campaign that lasted for several months, he returned to Hastinapur with immense wealth, gold and gems.
There was a festive atmosphere in the city upon his return. Bhishma embraced him affectionately, Vidur blessed him and Dhritarashtra praised his bravery. The mothers showered their love and Kunti-Madri welcomed them by performing aarti. The wealth brought by Pandu enriched the treasury. He presented jewelery to the elders and also distributed donations generously among the people.
After this, Pandu went to the forest with his wives, where they started living a simple and peaceful life. He had a special fondness for hunting and when he would go out into the forest armed with bow, arrow and weapons, his brilliance would appear like that of a god. Both the townspeople and forest dwellers loved and respected him very much. With the permission of Dhritarashtra, all the necessary comforts were also sent to him in the forest.
Here the incidents continued in Hastinapur also. Bhishma got Vidur married to a polite girl, who later gave birth to intelligent children. At the same time Gandhari also became pregnant. It is said about him that he was blessed with a hundred sons from Shiva. One day when she was thinking about this boon, Maharishi Vedvyas arrived at the palace. Despite fatigue and suffering, Gandhari served him with utmost devotion. Pleased, Vyas asked him to ask for a groom. Then Gandhari expressed her wish to have a hundred sons like her husband. With the blessings of Vyas, she conceived and started waiting for the birth of her hundred sons.
