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.
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_1] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Mādrī said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_23] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Kunti said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_25] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Mādrī said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_28] (Jaya)
I myself shall follow my husband, the steadfast/non-fleeing one. (BORI: 1-116-25A)
[PV-KDV:01_020_29] (Jaya)
Having approached me, this best of the Bharatas was spent/overcome through desire. (BORI: 1-116-26A)
[PV-KDV:01_020_31] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_37] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_110] (Jaya)
After performing Pāṇḍu’s final rites, the godlike great seers, those ascetics, assembled and deliberated. (BORI: 1-117-1)
[PV-KDV:01_020_111] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
The noble-minded ascetics resolved to go and entrust the Pandavas to Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. (BORI: 1-117-5)
[PV-KDV:01_020_115] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Before long, the illustrious woman reached Kurujangala and came to the gate of Vardhamanapura. (BORI: 1-117-8)
[PV-KDV:01_020_118] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
The queen Satyavati, the illustrious Kausalya, and Gandhari, surrounded by the royal ladies, came out. (BORI: 1-117-14)
[PV-KDV:01_020_124] (Jaya)
Dhritarashtra’s hundred heirs, led by Duryodhana and adorned with splendid ornaments, came forth. (BORI: 1-117-15)
[PV-KDV:01_020_125] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Dhritarashtra said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_161] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_166] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_020_197] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)
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] (Jaya)