The father of the Kauravas was Dhritarashtra, one of the central figures in the Mahabharata. He was the king of Hastinapura and the eldest son of Vichitravirya's lineage. Although he was born blind, he eventually ruled the kingdom and became the father of the hundred Kaurava brothers.
The Kauravas were born to Gandhari and Dhritarashtra. According to the Mahabharata, Gandhari's pregnancy lasted unusually long, and the story describes how her offspring eventually developed into one hundred sons and one daughter. The eldest and most well-known among the Kauravas was Duryodhana, who played a major role in the events leading up to the Kurukshetra War.
From what I have read in different versions and retellings of the Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra is often portrayed as a tragic character. He deeply loved his sons but struggled to control their actions, particularly Duryodhana's ambition and rivalry with the Pandavas. Many scholars and readers consider his inability to make difficult decisions one of the factors that contributed to the conflict between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
It is also important to note that while the term "Kauravas" is sometimes used broadly for descendants of the Kuru dynasty, in popular usage it usually refers specifically to the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra. This is why Duryodhana and his brothers are commonly known as the Kauravas in discussions about the Mahabharata.
In short, Dhritarashtra was the father of the Kauravas, while Gandhari was their mother. Their eldest son, Duryodhana, became the most prominent Kaurava and a central figure in one of the most important stories of the Mahabharata.
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Madhav Sharma is a professional astrologer with over 6 years of practice in Vedic astrology. He holds a Jyotish Visharad certification from the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS), New Delhi — one of India's most recognised credentials in the field — and has studied under senior practitioners with decades of lineage in classical Vedic traditions. His content covers Vedic astrology, birth chart analysis, planetary transits, kundli matching, horoscope predictions, and the practical application of astrological principles in daily life. His work has been published on platforms including AstroSage, GaneshaSpeaks, and Boldsky Astrology, where he writes for readers seeking guidance grounded in classical astrological texts and consistent interpretive practice. Over six years, Madhav has conducted 2,000+ individual consultations and published 200+ articles on astrology, covering everything from beginner guides to in-depth analyses of rare planetary combinations. He is a practising member of the Indian Astrology Federation and has been a featured voice at astrology conferences and spiritual wellness events across India. Across all his writing, his approach remains consistent — classical knowledge, disciplined interpretation, and content that respects both the tradition of Vedic astrology and the intelligence of the reader.
