# कुन्ती (kuntī)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/kunti

कुन्ती (kuntī) is a Sanskrit word meaning the mother of the Pandavas, also known as Pritha, name of a Rakshasi, of a river, the wife of a Brahman, the plant Boswellia thurifera, a fragrant resin. Its 12 recorded definitions are grouped into 5 contexts, among them Kuntī, the mythological Queen and mother of Pāṇḍavas, Kuntī, a plant or resin, Kuntī, a river.

- **SLP1:** `kuntI`  **IAST:** kuntī  **Devanagari:** कुन्ती
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunti
- **Declensions:** 72 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/kunti/declensions.md
- **Other headwords romanised the same way:** कौन्ती (kauntī), कुंती (kuṃtī), कुंति (kuṃti), कुन्ति (kunti)

## Meanings by context

### Kuntī, the mythological Queen and mother of Pāṇḍavas (6 definitions)
- The mother of the Pandavas, also known as Pritha.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H2) [Printed book page 291,1] कुन्ती (kuntī) f. N. of Pṛthā (daughter of a Yādava prince named Śūra [or Vasu, Harivaṃśa (Title) 5255 ], who gave her to his childless cousin Kunti or Kuntibhoja, by whom she was adopted; she afterwards became one of the wives of Pāṇḍu; on one occasion before her marriage she paid such respect to the powerful sage Durvāsas that he taught her an incantation or charm, by virtue of which she was to have a child by any god she liked to invoke; out of curiosity she invoked the Sun, by whom she had a child, cf. कर्ण (karṇa); but the Sun afterwards restored to her her maidenhood; soon after his marriage Pāṇḍu retired to the woods to indulge his passion for hunting; there he killed a male and female deer, who turned out to be a Ṛṣi and his wife in the form of these animals; the sage cursed Pāṇḍu and predicted that he would die in the embrace of one of his wives; hence Pāṇḍu lived apart from Kuntī, but with his approval she made use of her charm and had three sons, Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma, and Arjuna, by the three deities Dharma, Vāyu, and Indra respectively; cf. माद्री (mādrī) ), Pāṇini (Author); Mahābhārata (Title) &c. [ ID=52133 ]
- an epithet of Pritha, wife of Pandu  
  *Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > कुन्ती (kuntī) [Printed book page 070-1 ] कुन्ती (kuntī) kuntī, f. ep. of Pṛthā, wife of Pāṇḍu; -suta, m. son of Kuntī ( ep. of the sons of Pāṇḍu ). [ ID=6028 ]
- Pritha, one of the two wives of Pandu  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > कुन्ती (kuntī) [Printed book page 124 ] कुन्ती (kuntī) f. N. of Pṛthā, one of the two wives of Pāṇḍu, adopted daughter of Kunti. [ ID=7953 ]
- one of the two wives of Pandu  
  *Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary*
  > कुन्ती (kuntī) [Printed book page 142-a ] kuntī, f. Kuntī, one of the two wives of Pāndu. [ ID=1145 ]
- daughter of Shura, adopted by Kuntibhoja, mother of Karna by Surya, wife of Pandu, and mother of Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, and Arjuna  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > कुन्ती (kuntī) [Printed book page 436-1 ] Kuntī (“the daughter of the Kunti king”), daughter of Śūra, adopted by Kuntibhoja, by Sūrya mother of Karṇa, wife of Pāṇḍu, and mother of Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīmasena, and Arjuna; her proper name was Pṛthā (P.).—§ 3 (Anukram.): I, 1, 99, 124, 151.—[§ 4 (do.): I, 1, 175 (P.).]—§ 11 (Parvasaṅgr.): I, 2, 589 ( gūḍhotpannasya cākhyānaṃ Karṇasya Pṛthayātmanaḥ ), 612 (P.).—§ 131 (cf. Aṃśāvataraṇap.): Śūra (the Yadu, father of Vasudeva) gave his daughter Pṛthā as daughter to Kuntibhoja, the son of his paternal aunt, who was without offspring. Durvāsas, satisfied with her worshipful attentions, gave her a mantra by which she could summon whatever deity she liked and obtain children. Thus by Arka (the Sun) she brought forth in secrecy a child who was born with ear-rings and a coat of mail. Kuntī (= Pṛthā) threw him (i.e. Karṇa ( b )) into the water (cf. § 547): I, 67, [2764 (P.)], 2774.—[§ 131 b (Karṇa): I, 67, 2783 ( Pṛthāyāḥ prathamaḥ sutaḥ, i.e. Karṇa).]—§ 132 (Aṃśāvat.): I, 67, 2794 (incarnation of the goddess Siddhi).—§ 157 (Pūruvaṃś.): I, 95, ††3811 ( Pṛthā, wife of Pāṇḍu), ††3814 ( putrān utpādayām āsa Dharmād Yudhiṣṭhiraṃ Mārutād Bhīmasenaṃ Śakrād Arjunam iti, cf. § 190), ††3816, ††3818, ††3819 (cf. §§ 192 ff.).—[§ 160 (do.): I, 95, †3835 (P., cf. § 785).] —§ 175 (Karṇasaṃbhava): I, 111, [4382 (P., daughter of Śūra, adopted by Kuntibhoja)], 4388, (4391), [4397 ( Kuntirājasutāṃ ), 4401 ( Vārṣṇeyī )], 4402 (bore Karṇa from Sūrya, cf. § 547).—§ 176 (Kuntīvivāha): I, 112, [4412 ( Pṛthā duhitā Kuntibhojasya ), 4417 ( Kuntibhojasutā )], 4418, 4419, 4421, 4424 (married to Pāṇḍu).—§ 177 (Pāṇḍudigvi- jaya): I, 113, 4444.—§ 178 (Pāṇḍu): I, 114, 4474, 4477.— § 180 (Gāndhārīputrotpatti): I, 115, 4484.—§ 184 (do.): I, 119, 4613, 4616 (followed Pāṇḍu to the wood).—§ 185 (do.): I, 120, 4666, 4667, [4671 (P.), 4675 (P.)], 4677.— § 186 (do.): I, 121, 4680, (4710).—§ 187 (do.): I, 122, 4717.—§ 189 (do.): I, 122, 4746 (told Pāṇḍu of the mantra she had acquired (cf. § 131)).—§ 190 (Pāṇḍavotpatti): I, 123, 4759, 4762, 4765, 4770, 4774, 4782, 4787, 4793, 4794, 4799 (requested by Pāṇḍu, she by her mantra summoned Dharma, Vāyu, and Indra, by whom she bore Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīmasena, and Arjuna).—§ 191 (Arjuna): I, 123, 4803.— § 191 (Pāṇḍavotpatti): I, 123, 4833 (refused to have more children).—§ 192 (do.): I, 124, 4839, [4840 ( Kuntirājasutā ), 4841 ( Kuntisutāṃ )], 4844, 4859, [4860 (P.)] (communicated the mantra to Mādrī).—§ 193 (Pāṇḍu): I, 125, 4880, 4882, (4888), 4893 (Pāṇḍu's death).—§ 194 (do.): I, 126, 4921 ( Puruhūtād ayaṃ jajñe Kuntyām eva Dhanañjayaḥ ).—§ 195 (do.): I, 127, 4934 (Pāṇḍu and Mādrī are cremated), 4957. —§ 196 (Vyāsa): I, 128, 4964.—§ 197 (Bhīmasenarasapāna): I, [ 128, 5026 ( Āryakena…Pṛthāyā āryakena )]; 129, 5038, 5043, 5045, 5051.—§ 208 (Astradarśana): I, 134, 5326; 135, 5359, [5363 ( Pṛthāraṇīsamudbhūtaiḥ, sc. Bhīmasena and Arjuna)]; 136, [5381 ( kanyāgarbhaḥ…Pṛthāyāḥ, i.e. Karṇa)], [5405 ( Kuntibhojasutā )], 5406, [5409 ( Pṛthāyās tanayaḥ kanīyān, i.e. Arjuna)]; 137, 5441 (rejoiced at seeing Karṇa installed as king of the Aṅgas).—§ 213 (Jatugṛhap.): I, 141, 5636, 5638, 5639, 5642; 142, 5686; 144, 5727; 145, 5762; 148, 5823, [5824 ( Mādhavīṃ )]; 150, [5867 ( Kuntirājasutāṃ )], 5869, 5872; 151, 5897, 5905 ( Kunti- rājasutāṃ ) ( K. and her sons escaped from the lac house).— Page436-b+ 63 § 214 (Hiḍimbavadhap.): I, [ 152, 5941 (P.)]; 154, 6008; 155, 6045; 156, 6086, 6094.—§ 215 (Bakavadhap.): I, 157, 6107, [6110 (P.)], 6111, 6112, [6113 (P.)], 6120; 159, 6204; 160, (6205); 161, (6222), (6233), [6239 (P.)], 6240; 162, (6244), (6252).—§ 216 (Caitrarathap.): I, 165, 6320.—§ 219 (do.): I, 168, 6411, (6412), 6419, 6420.— § 220 (do.): I, 169, 6436.—[§ 234 (Svayaṃvarap.): I, 189, †7083 (P.), †7084 (P.).]—§ 235 (do.): I, [ 196, 7129 (P.)]; 191, [†7131 (P.)], †7132, †7133, (†7134), †7136 (when the Pāṇḍavas had won Draupadī, K. said: “Enjoy ye all”).— § 236 (do.): I, 192, †7159, †7164.—§ 237 (Vaivāhikap.): I, 194, †7205, †7211; 195, 7227, 7235, 7249; 196, (7269), 7273.—§ 240 (do.): I, 199, 7348, [7350 (P.)].—§ 241 (Vidurāgamanap.): I, 200, 7370; 203, [7453 (P.)], 7455; 204, 7467.—§ 243 (do.): I, 206, [7522 (P.)], 7531, [7540 (P.)], 7544.—§ 244 (Rājyalābhap.): I, 207, 7555.—§ 253 (Haraṇāharaṇap.): I, 221, 7982 ( Pṛthāṃ ), 7986.—[§ 262 (Bhagavadyāna): II, 2, 22 (P.).]—§ 275 (Rājasūyārambhap.): II, 17, 676 ( °yāḥ sutasya ).—[§ 277 (Jarāsandhavadhap.): II, 24, 976 (P.).]—[§ 292 (Rājasūyikap.): II, 45, 1616 (P.).]—§ 305 (Anudyūtap.): II, [ 78, 2564 (P.)]; 79, [2584 (P.)], 2586, [2593 (P.)], (2596), 2613, 2614.—§ 330 (Indra- darśana): III, 37, 1479.—§ 337 (Indralokābhigamanap.): III, 44, †1799.—§ 338 (do.): III, 46, 1854 ( yathā ), 1862 (do.), [1871 (P.)].—§ 339 (do.): III, 47, 1886.—§ 424 (Bhīmakadalīkhaṇḍapr.): III, 147, 11169 ( °yā garbheṇa dhāritaḥ, sc. Bhīmasena).—§ 432 (Saugandhikāharaṇa): III, 154, †11386 ( Vātena K°yāṃ balavān sujātaḥ, sc. Bhīmasena). —§ 452 (Mārkaṇḍeyas.): III, 183, 12583.—§ 510 (Draupadī- Satyabhāmasaṃv.): III, 233, 14688, [14689 (P.)].—§ 522 (Draupadīharaṇap.): III, 270, †15713 ( °yāḥ prāṇair iṣṭatamaḥ, sc. Sahadeva).—§ 547 (Karṇa): III, [ 303, 17007 (P.), 17009 (P.), 17019 (P.), 17024 (P.), 17025 (P.); 304, 17039 (P.), 17046 (P.)]; 305, [17051 (P.), 17058 (P.)], (17061), [17069 (P.)]; 306, 17079, (17081), †17094; 307, (17105), (17114), (17116), (17119), 17120, [17124 ( Kuntirājātmajā )]; 308, [17126 (P.)], 17134, [17147 (P.), 17148 (P.)]; 309, [17167 (P.)], 17173 ( Sūryasambhavaḥ Karṇaḥ K°yāṃ ) (Pṛthā (i.e. Kuntī), the daughter of Śūra, was adopted by Kuntibhoja; she attended on a brahman, who gave her a mantra by which she might summon whatever god she liked. She summoned Sūrya (the Sun), who begot Karṇa on her, the child she threw into the water).—§ 548 (Āraṇeyap.): III, 313, 17295, 17416, 17417.—§ 549 (Pāṇḍavapraveśap.): IV, 4, 134.—§ 551 (Kīcakavadhap.): IV, 19, 581, 596; 20, 634.—§ 556 (Sañjayayānap.): V, 31, 931.—§ 562 (Bhagavadyānap.): V, 90, [3128 (P.), 3130 (P.), 3220 (P.)], 3230, (3231); [ 91, 3236 (P.)].— § 567 (do.): V, 132, (4463) (told Kṛṣṇa to urge Yudhi- ṣṭhira to battle).—§ 568 (Vidulāputraśāsana): V, 133, (4494); 136, (4637) (asked Kṛṣṇa to tell Yudhiṣṭhira Vidulāputraśāsana).—§ 569 (do.): V, 137, (4644), 4645 (sent Kṛṣṇa with a message to the Pāṇḍavas); 138, 4676, 4677; 140, 4753; 141, 4758, 4775 ( °yāḥ prathamajaṃ, i.e. Karṇa); 144, [4885 (P.)], 4894, 4910, [4912 (P.)], [4914 ( Kauravyapatnī Vārṣṇeyī )], 4915, 4916; 145, (4918); 146, [4930 (P.)], 4952, [4955 (P.)] (Kṛṣṇa told Karṇa that he was the son of K., Kuntī disclosed to Karṇa that she is his mother and solicited him to make peace with the Pāṇḍavas, Karṇa promised to save the Pāṇḍavas except Arjuna).—§ 570 (Sainyaniryāṇap.): V, 154, 5219, 5239.—§ 583 (Bhīṣma- vadhap.): VI, 79 μ, 3453 ( °yāḥ parikleśaṃ ).—§ 588 (do.): VI, 122, 5841 ( avakīrṇas tv ahaṃ K°yā, says Karṇa).— Page437-a+ 63 § 599 (Jayadrathavadhap.): VII, 127, 5166; 131, 5364, 5377 ( °yāḥ putrasya sadṛśaṃ nedaṃ ); 132 σσ, 5425 ( saputrāṃ, all. to § 213); 139, 5783 ( °yā vacaḥ smaran, sc. Karṇa, cf. § 569).—§ 600 (Ghaṭotkacavadhap.): VII, 167, 7481 ( °yāḥ smṛtvā vacāḥ, sc. Karṇa, cf. § 569).—§ 605 (Karṇap.): VIII, 24, 964 ( smṛtvā K°yā vacaḥ, sc. Karṇa, cf. § 569).—§ 608 (do.): VIII, 49, 2352 ( °vākyañ ca so 'smarat, sc. Karṇa, cf. § 569); 68, [†3382 ( Pṛthāyā garbhaṃ ), †3389 (read Pṛthāṃ with B.)], †3393 (a celestial voice came to K. at the birth of Arjuna); [†3400 ( garbhe…Pṛthāyāḥ )]; 69 ννν, †3433; 70 ρρρ, †3528; 87, 4488.—§ 613 (Gadāyuddhap.): IX, 33 ε, 1903 ( Pāṇḍoḥ K°yāś ca santatiḥ ).—§ 618 (Jalapradā- nikap.): XI, 10, 270, 272 (came to see the battle-field); 14, 374 ( yathā ); [ 15, 414 (P.), 415 (P.), 419 (P.)].—§ 620 (Śrāddhap.): XI, 27 γ, 805 (disclosed to the Pāṇḍavas that Karṇa was her son).—§ 621 (Rājadh.): XII, I, 18, 21 ( gūḍhotpannaḥ sutaḥ K°yāḥ, i.e. Karṇa), 22, 24 ( jyeṣṭha- putraḥ K°yāḥ, sc. Karṇa), [26 (P.), 27 (P.), 31 (P.), 35 (P.), 36 (P.), 38 (P.)], 42 ( Pṛthāyāḥ ); 4, 139 ( °yāś ca varadānena, Karṇa was slain on account of the boon he had granted to K., cf. § 569); 5, 146.—§ 635 (do.): XII, 37, 1384.— [§ 637 (do.): XII, 40, 1446 (P.).]—§ 641 (do.): XII, 75, 2853 ( na hy etām āśiṣaṃ Pāṇḍur na ca K°ī na tv ayācata ), 2854.—[§ 777 (Svargārohaṇik. p.): XIII, 168, 7714 (P.).] —[§ 781 (Aśvamedhikap.): XIV, 15 α, 388 (P.).]—[§ 783 (Anugītāp.): XIV, 52 γ, 1505 (P.), 1507 (P.).]—§ 785 (do.): XIV, 61, [1839 (P.)], 1844, [1846 ( Vārṣṇeyī )], 1848 (consoled Uttarā); 62, [(1859 (P.); 63 ζ, 1893 (P.)]; 66 ι, [1940 (P.)], 1949 ( Bhojasutā, prevailed upon Kṛṣṇa to revive Parikṣit), [1962 (P.)], 1964; 67 ν, [1965 (P.), 1973 (P.)]; 69, 2010; 70 ο, 2038; 71 π, 2061; 87, 2602; 88 ϕ, [2604 (P.)], 2607; 89, 2671, [2672 (P.)].—§ 787 (Āśramavāsap.): XV, 1, [8 ( Kuntibhojasutā )], 11 (π), 23; 3 β, 73, (δ), 111, 138; 5 η, 174; 10 ξ, 348; 11 π, 373; 15 τ, 436; 16, 447, 449 (450), 465, 466; 17, (474); 18, 495, 496, [497 (P.)], 503, 504, 509, 515 (followed Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Gāndhārī to the forest); 19, [525 ( Kuntibhojajā, P.)], 534; 20, 540.—§ 788 (do.): XV, 21 α, 578 ( Pṛthā ), 580; 22, [596 (P.)], 602, 604, [606 (P.)], 608; 24, [643 (P.), 646 (P.)], 654; 25 γ, 663; 27 δ, 731; 28, 746.—§ 789 (Putradarśanap.): XV, 29, 766, (β), 778 (γ), 783, 801, 814, 817; 30, (819), 841; 31 ζ, 844, [845 (P.)].—§ 791 (do.): XV, 36, 983, 995, 998.—§ 792 (Nāradāgamanap.): XV, 37, [1017 (P.)], 1021, 1024, [1027 (P.)], 1039, [1041 (P.), 1045 (P.), 1054 (P.); 38, 1063 (P.), 1072 (P.); 39, 1090 (P.), 1095 (P.)] ( K. was burnt in a forest fire).—§ 795 (Svargārohanap.): XVIII, 5, 144 (together with Pāṇḍu in heaven). [ ID=6200 ]
- Daughter of Shura, adopted by Kuntibhoja, and wife of Pandu, who gave birth to Yudhishthira and other sons by the favor of various gods.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > कुन्ती (kuntī) [Printed book page 1-391 ] Kuntī — daughter of Śūra and adopted by Kuntibhoja as he was childless. Durvāsas taught her a mantra by which she invoked the sun who returned after blessing her with a child. Being an unmarried girl, she abandoned her son in a box, and this was discovered by Adhiratha who Page1-392+ 46 brought him up. This child was Karṇa; 1 queen of Pāṇḍu: gave birth to Yudhiṣṭhira and four other sons by the favour of gods — Dharma, Vāyu and Indra and the Aśvins; outlived her husband for the sake of their welfare. 2 Seen by Akrūra: Narrated to Vidura her troubles after Pāṇḍu's death. Her affection and love for Kṛṣṇa; addressed him on the difficulties encountered by the Pāṇḍavas. Kṛṣṇa comforted her and explained how it was not possible for him to go to Hāstināpura earlier. 3 Her stotra of Kṛṣṇa; 4 grieved at his departure from Hāstināpura. Her thoughts on the other world. 5 Heard of Drupada's defeat by her sons. Was met by Kṛtavarman at Hāstināpura. At the news of the alleged burning of (Pāṇḍavas, etc.), Kuntī went to the Kurus accompanied by Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, though the latter was aware of the fact of their living. 6 Heard the story of the marriage of Kṛṣṇa from his wives and was lost in wonder. 7 Left for Syamantapañcaka, and complained to Vasudeva of his neglect of her sons. Vasudeva consoled her saying that oppression from Kamsā had scattered them in different directions. 8 Joy at Kṛṣṇa's visit to Hāstināpura. Taking leave of her Kṛṣṇa went to Dvārakā. 9 (See Pṛthā ) Regret- ted with her sons the loss of Duryodhana and others. 10 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. IX. 23. 13-14; 24. 31-36; Br. III. 71. 152-5; M. 46. 7.] [ Footnote: 2) Bhā. IX. 22. 27; M. 50. 48-50. Br. III. 1. 40. Vi. V. 12. 24.] [ Footnote: 3) Bhā. X. 58. 7. 10; X. 49. 1-15; I. 8. 3: 9. 13.] [ Footnote: 4) Ib. I. 8. 17-43.] [ Footnote: 5) Ib. I. 10. 9; 13. 3; 15. 33; X. 82 24.] [ Footnote: 6) Ib. X. 52. [56 (V) 2], [5], 10; 57. 1.] [ Footnote: 7) Ib. X. 84. 1.] [ Footnote: 8) Ib. X. 82. 18-22; 84. 57 and 69 [3].] [ Footnote: 9) Ib. X. 7 1. 39; 77. 7; 10. M. 103. 12.] [ ID=3148 ]

### Kuntī, a plant or resin (2 definitions)
- the plant Boswellia thurifera  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > the plant Boswellia thurifera, Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=52137 ]
- a fragrant resin  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a fragrant resin (= गुग्गुलु (guggulu) ), Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=52138 ]

### Kuntī, a river (2 definitions)
- of a river  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > of a river, Viṣṇu-purāṇa (Title) [ ID=52135 ]
- A river originating from the Pariyatra hill  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 1-392 ] Kuntī — a R. from the Pāriyatra hill. M. 114. 24. [ ID=3149 ]

### Kuntī as a Rākṣasī (1 definition)
- name of a Rakshasi  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > [Printed book page 291,2] N. of a Rākṣasī, Buddhist literature (Literary category) [ ID=52134 ]

### Kuntī, wife of a Brāhman (1 definition)
- the wife of a Brahman  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > the wife of a Brāhman, Lexicographers, esp. such as Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra, etc. (Author) [ ID=52136 ]

## Sources

Definitions from Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Index to the Names in the Mahabharata; Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary; Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); The Purana Index.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

The Sanskrit Lexicon app for iPhone, iPad and Mac: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sanskrit-lexicon-dictionary/id6746787546