Dhritarashtra is a central character in the Mahabharata epic. He is the eldest son of Vichitravirya and from his wife Ambika, from whom he inherited the kingdom of Hastinapura. Despite being born blind, Dhritarashtra ascends to the throne due to his birthright, as his younger brother Pandu renounces the throne due to a curse.

Dhritarashtra is depicted as a conflicted and morally weak character. His blindness symbolizes not just physical incapacity but also his lack of vision in terms of wisdom and foresight. He often struggles with making decisions, torn between loyalty to his own sons (the Kauravas) and his duty as a king. His inability to rein in the ambitions and jealousy of his eldest son, Duryodhana, leads to the great war of Kurukshetra and the central events of the Mahabharata.

Throughout the epic, Dhritarashtra's character serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked desires, familial loyalties, and moral weaknesses. Despite his flaws, he is portrayed with a certain degree of sympathy, as his predicament is largely a result of his circumstances and upbringing. In the end, Dhritarashtra and his wife Gandhari witnesses the destruction of his entire clan, including his sons, and ultimately renounces his attachment to power and wealth, seeking spiritual solace in his later years.