Dhrtarāstra is a character from the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He is the blind king of Hastinapura and the father of the Kauravas, a group of one hundred brothers who are central to the conflict in the epic. Dhrtarāstra's blindness symbolizes his inability to see the truth and make just decisions, particularly regarding the rivalry between his sons and the Pandavas. Despite his blindness, Dhrtarāstra is a significant figure in the Mahabharata, often portrayed as a conflicted ruler torn between his love for his sons and his awareness of their wrongdoings. His character raises themes of power, loyalty, and the consequences of moral blindness in leadership.