Chapter 14: Pāṇḍu’s death and Mādrī’s following him; Kuntī and the Pāṇḍavas return to Hastināpura, funeral rites are performed, and Satyavatī retires to the forest with Ambikā and Ambālikā.

Pāṇḍu, overcome by desire for Mādrī, ignores the curse and dies during intercourse.

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_1] (Bharata)

Then, in the great forest on the mountain, Pandu delighted in watching his five handsome sons, whom he protected by the strength of his own arms. (BORI: 1-116-1)

[PV-KDV:01_020_2] (Bharata)

Once, in the season of Madhu and Madhava, when the forest was in full bloom and all creatures were spellbound, the king roamed the woods with his wife. (BORI: 1-116-2)

[PV-KDV:01_020_3] (Bharata)

with palasha, tilaka, mango, champak, and paribhadra trees, and many other trees laden with fruit and flowers... (BORI: 1-116-3)

[PV-PAN:01_020_4] (Bharata)

When Pandu saw the forest adorned with various pools and lotus ponds, desire arose in his heart. (BORI: 1-116-4)

[PV-PAN:01_020_5] (Bharata)

As he wandered there with a joyful heart, like an immortal, Madri followed him alone, wearing a beautiful garment. (BORI: 1-116-5)

[PV-KDV:01_020_6] (Bharata)

As he gazed at the young woman in her thin garment, his desire grew like a fire springing up in a thicket. (BORI: 1-116-6)

[PV-PAN:01_020_7] (Bharata)

Seeing her alone, as dear to him as his own self, the lotus-eyed king, overpowered by desire, could not restrain his passion. (BORI: 1-116-7)

[PV-KDV:01_020_8] (Bharata)

Then the king forcibly seized her when she was alone, though the queen resisted and struggled with all her strength. (BORI: 1-116-8)

[PV-KDV:01_020_9] (Bharata)

But his mind overwhelmed by desire, he gave no thought to that curse as he approached Madri for intercourse, as if by force… (BORI: 1-116-9)

[PV-KDV:01_020_10] (Bharata)

The Kaurava, overcome by passion, cast aside his fear of the curse and forced himself upon his beloved, bringing his life to an end. (BORI: 1-116-10)

[PV-KDV:01_020_11] (Bharata)

His reason, consumed by desire and deluded by Death himself, overwhelmed all his senses and vanished together with his consciousness. (BORI: 1-116-11)

[PV-KDV:01_020_12] (Bharata)

After uniting with his wife, O delight of the Kurus, the supremely righteous Pandu succumbed to death. (BORI: 1-116-12)

[PV-KDV:01_020_13] (Bharata)

Then Madri embraced the lifeless king and again and again uttered exceedingly anguished cries. (BORI: 1-116-13)

[PV-PAN:01_020_14] (Bharata)

Then Kunti and her sons, together with the two Pandavas who were Madri’s sons, came to the place where the king lay in that state. (BORI: 1-116-14)

[PV-KDV:01_020_15] (Bharata)

Then, O king, the anguished Madri said these words to Kunti: “Come here alone. Let the children remain right here.” (BORI: 1-116-15)

[PV-KDV:01_020_16] (Bharata)

Hearing her words, Kunti held the children back there and, crying out, “I am undone!” rushed over. (BORI: 1-116-16)

[PV-KDV:01_020_17] (Bharata)

Seeing Pandu and Madri lying on the ground, Kunti, her whole body overwhelmed by grief, lamented in deep sorrow. (BORI: 1-116-17)

[PV-PAN:01_020_18] (Bharata)

Mādrī chooses to follow Pāṇḍu in death and entrusts Nakula and Sahadeva to Kuntī.

Mādrī said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_23] (Bharata)

Though I tempted him and repeatedly tried to restrain him, he did not control himself, wishing to make what was ordained come true. (BORI: 1-116-22)

[PV-KDV:01_020_24] (Bharata)

Kunti said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_25] (Bharata)

I am the senior lawful wife, and the highest reward of righteousness is mine. Madri, do not turn me away from what must inevitably come to pass. (BORI: 1-116-23)

[PV-KDV:01_020_26] (Bharata)

I shall follow our husband here, now that he has passed into the power of death. Rise, release him, and look after these children. (BORI: 1-116-24)

[PV-KDV:01_020_27] (Bharata)

Mādrī said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_28] (Bharata)

I myself shall follow my husband, the steadfast/non-fleeing one. (BORI: 1-116-25A)

[PV-KDV:01_020_29] (Bharata)

For I am not satisfied in my desires; therefore let the elder lady give her consent. (BORI: 1-116-25B)

[PV-PAN:01_020_30] (Bharata)

Having approached me, this best of the Bharatas was spent/overcome through desire. (BORI: 1-116-26A)

[PV-KDV:01_020_31] (Bharata)

How indeed could I bring/end that desire of his in Yama's abode? (BORI: 1-116-26B)

[PV-PAN:01_020_32] (Bharata)

Nor could I go on living, noble lady, treating your sons without distinction; for in that case sin would attach to me. (BORI: 1-116-27)

[PV-KDV:01_020_33] (Bharata)

Therefore, Kunti, you must treat my two sons as your own, for this king died while desiring me. (BORI: 1-116-28)

[PV-KDV:01_020_34] (Bharata)

Let this body of mine also be burned together with the king’s body, well covered. Noble lady, do me this kindness. (BORI: 1-116-29)

[PV-KDV:01_020_35] (Bharata)

Be vigilant in caring for the children and act for my good. Beyond this, I see nothing else that needs to be asked of you. (BORI: 1-116-30)

[PV-KDV:01_020_36] (Bharata)

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_37] (Bharata)

Having said this, the illustrious daughter of the king of Madra, his lawful wife, swiftly mounted the funeral pyre after that bull among men. (BORI: 1-116-31)

[PV-KDV:01_020_38] (Bharata)

The ascetics return Kuntī and the five Pāṇḍavas to Hastināpura and formally present them to the Kuru elders.

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_110] (Bharata)

After performing Pāṇḍu’s final rites, the godlike great seers, those ascetics, assembled and deliberated. (BORI: 1-117-1)

[PV-KDV:01_020_111] (Bharata)

Having abandoned his kingdom and realm, that great-souled man of mighty austerities sought refuge among the ascetics in this place in order to practice austerities. (BORI: 1-117-2)

[PV-KDV:01_020_112] (Bharata)

King Pandu entrusted to you here, as a sacred charge, his newborn sons and his wives, and then departed for heaven. (BORI: 1-117-3)

[PV-KDV:01_020_113] (Bharata)

After consulting one another, they, devoted to the welfare of all beings, with Pāṇḍu’s sons at their head, toward the city called Nāgasāhvaya… (BORI: 1-117-4)

[PV-KDV:01_020_114] (Bharata)

The noble-minded ascetics resolved to go and entrust the Pandavas to Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. (BORI: 1-117-5)

[PV-KDV:01_020_115] (Bharata)

At that very moment, all the ascetics set out, taking with them Pandu’s wives and sons, as well as his body. (BORI: 1-117-6)

[PV-KDV:01_020_116] (Bharata)

She, who had once been happy and was ever devoted to her sons, embarked on the long journey but thought it short. (BORI: 1-117-7)

[PV-KDV:01_020_117] (Bharata)

Before long, the illustrious woman reached Kurujangala and came to the gate of Vardhamanapura. (BORI: 1-117-8)

[PV-KDV:01_020_118] (Bharata)

When the people of Nagapura heard of the arrival of those thousands of wandering sages, they were filled with wonder. (BORI: 1-117-9)

[PV-KDV:01_020_119] (Bharata)

When the sun had been up for a short while, all the townspeople, with righteousness foremost in their minds, set out with their wives to see the ascetics. (BORI: 1-117-10)

[PV-KDV:01_020_120] (Bharata)

Groups of women and Kshatriyas, riding in companies of vehicles, set out with the Brahmins; the Brahmins’ wives went as well. (BORI: 1-117-11)

[PV-KDV:01_020_121] (Bharata)

Likewise, there was a great mingling of the groups of Vaishyas and Shudras. No one felt envy; they were all righteous-minded. (BORI: 1-117-12)

[PV-KDV:01_020_122] (Bharata)

Likewise Bhishma, son of Shantanu; Somadatta; Bahlika; the royal sage whose wisdom was his sight; and Vidura himself, the chamberlain… (BORI: 1-117-13)

[PV-KDV:01_020_123] (Bharata)

The queen Satyavati, the illustrious Kausalya, and Gandhari, surrounded by the royal ladies, came out. (BORI: 1-117-14)

[PV-KDV:01_020_124] (Bharata)

Dhritarashtra’s hundred heirs, led by Duryodhana and adorned with splendid ornaments, came forth. (BORI: 1-117-15)

[PV-KDV:01_020_125] (Bharata)

After bowing their heads to all those great sages, all the Kauravas, together with their priests, sat down nearby. (BORI: 1-117-16)

[PV-KDV:01_020_126] (Bharata)

Likewise, all the townspeople and country folk bowed their heads to the ground in reverence and then took their seats. (BORI: 1-117-17)

[PV-KDV:01_020_127] (Bharata)

Seeing that the entire multitude was utterly silent, Bhishma then presented the kingdom and the realm to the great seers. (BORI: 1-117-18)

[PV-KDV:01_020_128] (Bharata)

Then the eldest among them, a great seer wearing matted locks and a deerskin, rose, ascertained the opinion of the great seers, and said: (BORI: 1-117-19)

[PV-KDV:01_020_129] (Bharata)

That heir of the Kauravas, the king named Pandu, renounced sensual pleasures and went from here to Shatashringa. (BORI: 1-117-20)

[PV-KDV:01_020_130] (Bharata)

While he observed the vow of celibacy, this son of his, Yudhishthira, was born directly from Dharma through divine agency. (BORI: 1-117-21)

[PV-KDV:01_020_131] (Bharata)

Likewise, Mātariśvan gave that great-souled king this son, Bhīma by name, mighty in strength and foremost among the powerful. (BORI: 1-117-22)

[PV-KDV:01_020_132] (Bharata)

This man of unfailing valor was born to Kunti by Puruhuta; his fame will surpass that of all great archers. (BORI: 1-117-23)

[PV-KDV:01_020_133] (Bharata)

And these two mighty bowmen, foremost of the Kurus, whom Mādrī bore by the Aśvins—these two tigers among men also stand here. (BORI: 1-117-24)

[PV-KDV:01_020_134] (Bharata)

By the illustrious Pandu, ever devoted to righteousness, who lived in exile in the forest, this ancestral lineage was restored. (BORI: 1-117-25)

[PV-KDV:01_020_135] (Bharata)

As Pandu continually watched his sons’ birth and growth and their study of the Vedas, his abiding joy increased. (BORI: 1-117-26)

[PV-KDV:01_020_136] (Bharata)

Living according to the ways of the virtuous and having gained sons, Pandu went to the realm of the ancestors seventeen days later. (BORI: 1-117-27)

[PV-KDV:01_020_137] (Bharata)

Knowing that he had been placed on the funeral pyre and offered into the mouth of the fire, Madri entered the flames, relinquishing her own life. (BORI: 1-117-28)

[PV-KDV:01_020_138] (Bharata)

Devoted to her husband, she has gone with him to his world. Then let whatever must be done for her and for him be performed. (BORI: 1-117-29)

[PV-KDV:01_020_139] (Bharata)

Here are the bodies of those two, and here are their noble sons. Let these scorchers of foes, together with their mother, be received with the proper rites. (BORI: 1-117-30)

[PV-KDV:01_020_140] (Bharata)

And when the rites for the dead are complete, may the illustrious Pāṇḍu, knower of every duty and upholder of the Kuru line, receive the ancestral rites. (BORI: 1-117-31)

[PV-KDV:01_020_141] (Bharata)

Having thus addressed all the Kurus, all the Charanas vanished in an instant before the Kurus’ very eyes, together with the Guhyakas. (BORI: 1-117-32)

[PV-KDV:01_020_142] (Bharata)

Seeing the host of seers and Siddhas, which resembled a city of Gandharvas, vanish there once again, they were filled with the utmost amazement. (BORI: 1-117-33)

[PV-PAN:01_020_143] (Bharata)

Instructed by Dhritarashtra, Vidura and Bhishma conduct funeral rites of Pandu and Madri at a secluded place.

Dhritarashtra said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_161] (Bharata)

Vidura, have all the funeral rites of Pandu, that lion among kings, performed in royal fashion, and especially those of Madri as well. (BORI: 1-118-1)

[PV-KDV:01_020_162] (Bharata)

For Pandu and Madri, give cattle, garments, jewels, and various kinds of wealth to whomever and in whatever measure is desired. (BORI: 1-118-2)

[PV-PAN:01_020_163] (Bharata)

Show Madri the same honor that Kunti would, and keep her so well covered that neither the wind nor the sun may see her. (BORI: 1-118-3)

[PV-KDV:01_020_164] (Bharata)

The blameless Pandu is not to be mourned; that king is worthy of praise, for he has five heroic sons, equal to the sons of the gods. (BORI: 1-118-4)

[PV-KDV:01_020_165] (Bharata)

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_166] (Bharata)

Vidura agreed to this and, together with Bhishma, had Pandu’s funeral rites performed in a very secluded place, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-118-5)

[PV-KDV:01_020_167] (Bharata)

Then Pandu’s royal priests swiftly carried the blazing fires out of the city, preceded by offerings of clarified butter. (BORI: 1-118-6)

[PV-KDV:01_020_168] (Bharata)

The sacrificial fires, into which white-robed priests were pouring oblations, went blazing before him, beautifully adorned. (BORI: 1-118-13)

[PV-KDV:01_020_175] (Bharata)

Then Bhishma, Vidura, the king with his kinsmen, and all the Kuru women offered water for him. (BORI: 1-118-27)

[PV-KDV:01_020_189] (Bharata)

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_020_197] (Bharata)

Then the citizens took the Pandavas, those bulls of Bharata’s line who had completed their purification rites, and entered the city named after the elephant. (BORI: 1-119-3)

[PV-KDV:01_020_200] (Bharata)

Warned by Vyāsa of the destructive age ahead, Satyavatī withdraws to the forest with Ambikā and Ambālikā, where all three practise austerities until death.

Then, at the conclusion of the funeral rites, Vyasa saw the people in distress and spoke to his mother, who was bewildered and afflicted with pain and grief. (BORI: 1-119-5)

[PV-KDV:01_020_202] (Bharata)

Happy times have passed, and dreadful times are upon us. Day by day, the days grow worse; the earth has lost her youth. (BORI: 1-119-6)

[PV-PAN:01_020_203] (Bharata)

A terrible age will come, rife with deceit, beset by many evils, in which the practices and observances of dharma have vanished. (BORI: 1-119-7)

[PV-PAN:01_020_204] (Bharata)

Go, embrace renunciation, and live a disciplined life in the ascetic forest, so that you do not witness the terrible destruction of this family of yours. (BORI: 1-119-8)

[PV-KDV:01_020_205] (Bharata)

Having assented, saying, “So be it,” she went in and said to her daughter-in-law, “Ambika, we have heard that because of your son’s misconduct, the Bharatas will perish together with their kin, and the grandsons as well.” (BORI: 1-119-9)

[PV-KDV:01_020_206] (Bharata)

So, if you agree, let us take this afflicted Kausalyā, tormented by grief for her son, and go to the forest. May all be well with you. (BORI: 1-119-10)

[PV-KDV:01_020_207] (Bharata)

When Ambikā replied, “So be it,” the virtuous Satyavatī took leave of Bhīṣma and went to the forest with her two daughters-in-law, O Bhārata. (BORI: 1-119-11)

[PV-KDV:01_020_208] (Bharata)

After performing extremely severe austerities, those noble women gave up their bodies and then attained their desired destination, O great king, best of the Bharatas. (BORI: 1-119-12)

[PV-KDV:01_020_209] (Bharata)