Dhritarashtra is a significant character in the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the blind king of Hastinapura and the father of the Kauravas, a group of hundred brothers who were central to the epic's conflict. Despite his blindness, he was known for his strong will and desire to rule, often struggling with his inability to see the consequences of his actions. As a father, Dhritarashtra was deeply protective of his sons, which led to favoritism and conflict with the Pandavas, his cousins. His inability to control his sons' ambitions ultimately contributed to the great war of Kurukshetra, a pivotal event in the Mahabharata that resulted in significant loss and moral dilemmas.