Kunti Calling Upon Other Deities

If Kunti can call upon any god for getting a child, why did she call Indra, Vaayu, Yama, She could call from Tridevas, Brahma or Shiva or Jagadish or Ganesha or other supreme gods? It wasn’t Kunti who called on the deities by her choice. Yes, the first time she was given the mantra, she in curiosity looked at the sun and tried the mantra. The result was she conceived Karna and had to abandon him. Kunti Calling Upon Other Deities Kunti was never of the idea of using the mantra. However, it was after Pandu suggested niyog, when Kunti disclosed the secret. It was Pandu who suggested to call upon the respective deities, whose specific qualities he wanted to be bestowed in his child. He first asked Kunti to summon Dharmaraj, as he wanted a son who would be the perfect heir to take care of the throne. He wanted a son who is righteous and had all the qualities of upholding the throne of Hastinapur. Pandu replied, “O beautiful one! O one with the beautiful hips! You must act today itself, in the proper way. Summon Dharma, because he is the one who partakes of what is sacred. That which is not dharma is never united with that which is dharma. O one with the beautiful hips! The worlds will now think that what we have done is dharma. There is no doubt that one who is devoted to dharma will be born into the Kuru lineage. Since he will be given by Dharma, there will never be anything that is not dharma in his mind. O sweet-smiling one! Therefore, always set dharma before you and summon him. Chapter 113, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat Second, he asked Kunti to summon Vayu. He wanted a son who would be the perfect support in strength and security for the King. Having obtained this virtuous son, Pandu again said, “It is said that the best thing for Kshatriyas is strength. Therefore, ask for a son who has great strength.” Having been thus addressed by her husband, she invoked Vayu for a son. Through him, she obtained the mighty-armed Bhima, whose strength was terrifying. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! As soon as this immensely strong one was born, an invisible voice was heard. “This son will be the strongest among all those who are strong.” Chapter 113, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat Third, he asked her to summon Indra. Before begetting Arjun, he and Kunti are mentioned to have performed austerities and penance. After this, he asked her to summon Indra, as he wanted a son with qualities of Indra, who is not only righteous and strong but a warrior who will be famous in all the three worlds. When Vrikodara was born, Pandu again began to think. “How can I obtain a supreme son who will be the best in all the worlds? This world depends on destiny and on human action. But as decreed, destiny is only obtained over a period of time. We have heard that Indra is the king and the best of the gods. He has immeasurable strength and endeavour and he is valorous and unlimited in radiance. By pleasing him with austerities, I can obtain a son who is immensely strong. The son that he will give me will be the best. I shall therefore perform the greatest of austerities in mind, deeds and speech.” Chapter 114, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat All three times, Kunti had no say. It was all according to Pandu's choice. He chose deities whose specific qualities he wished to see in his sons. On the other hand, in the case of Madri, she summoned Ashwini Kumars. Pandu had no say here. She knew that Kunti may not aid her use the mantra again. Hence, she summoned Ashwini Kumar to beget two kids.