01.110
Core:Initially Pandu decides to become ascetic, then he leaves for Shatashringa along with his wives.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
तं व्यतीतमतिक्रम्य राजा स्वमिव बान्धवम् । सभार्यः शोकदुःखार्तः पर्यदेवयदातुरः ॥१-११०-१॥
The king, crossing over the deceased as if it were his own kinsman, lamented distraught and sorrowful, along with his wife.
पाण्डुरुवाच॥
Pāṇḍu said:
सतामपि कुले जाताः कर्मणा बत दुर्गतिम् । प्राप्नुवन्त्यकृतात्मानः कामजालविमोहिताः ॥१-११०-२॥
Even those born in noble families, alas, meet a miserable end by their actions, being undisciplined and deluded by the snare of desire.
शश्वद्धर्मात्मना जातो बाल एव पिता मम । जीवितान्तमनुप्राप्तः कामात्मैवेति नः श्रुतम् ॥१-११०-३॥
Though born ever righteous, my father, even in childhood, met his end driven by desire — so we have heard.
तस्य कामात्मनः क्षेत्रे राज्ञः संयतवागृषिः । कृष्णद्वैपायनः साक्षाद्भगवान्मामजीजनत् ॥१-११०-४॥
In the field of that desire-driven king, the sage of controlled speech, Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, directly begot me, O revered one.
तस्याद्य व्यसने बुद्धिः सञ्जातेयं ममाधमा । त्यक्तस्य देवैरनयान्मृगयायां दुरात्मनः ॥१-११०-५॥
Now in misfortune, my degraded mind has arisen — of one abandoned by the gods due to the misconduct of a wicked soul in hunting.
मोक्षमेव व्यवस्यामि बन्धो हि व्यसनं महत् । सुवृत्तिमनुवर्तिष्ये तामहं पितुरव्ययाम् ॥ अतीव तपसात्मानं योजयिष्याम्यसंशयम् ॥१-११०-६॥
I now resolve upon liberation alone; for bondage is a great misery. I shall follow my father’s noble conduct and certainly engage myself in intense austerity.
तस्मादेकोऽहमेकाहमेकैकस्मिन्वनस्पतौ । चरन्भैक्षं मुनिर्मुण्डश्चरिष्यामि महीमिमाम् ॥१-११०-७॥
Therefore, I shall wander alone, shaven-headed like a sage, begging alms from tree to tree each day on this earth.
पांसुना समवच्छन्नः शून्यागारप्रतिश्रयः । वृक्षमूलनिकेतो वा त्यक्तसर्वप्रियाप्रियः ॥१-११०-८॥
Covered with dust, dwelling in empty shelters or beneath trees, renouncing all attachments, I shall live.
न शोचन्न प्रहृष्यंश्च तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः । निराशीर्निर्नमस्कारो निर्द्वन्द्वो निष्परिग्रहः ॥१-११०-९॥
Neither grieving nor rejoicing, equal in blame and self-praise, without hope or greeting, free of dualities, and without possessions.
न चाप्यवहसन्कञ्चिन्न कुर्वन्भ्रुकुटीं क्वचित् । प्रसन्नवदनो नित्यं सर्वभूतहिते रतः ॥१-११०-१०॥
Not mocking anyone, nor frowning ever, always cheerful-faced, and engaged in the welfare of all beings.
जङ्गमाजङ्गमं सर्वमविहिंसंश्चतुर्विधम् । स्वासु प्रजास्विव सदा समः प्राणभृतां प्रति ॥१-११०-११॥
Towards all beings, moving and non-moving, of four types, always non-violent and equal — like to his own offspring, he remained equally disposed toward all living beings.
एककालं चरन्भैक्षं कुलानि द्वे च पञ्च च । असम्भवे वा भैक्षस्य चरन्ननशनान्यपि ॥१-११०-१२॥
Seeking alms once a day from two or five households, and in absence of alms, even practicing fasting.
अल्पमल्पं यथाभोज्यं पूर्वलाभेन जातु चित् । नित्यं नातिचरँल्लाभे अलाभे सप्त पूरयन् ॥१-११०-१३॥
Eating little by little of what is appropriate, from previous gains, never exceeding daily intake, filling up seven mouthfuls even when there is scarcity.
वास्यैकं तक्षतो बाहुं चन्दनेनैकमुक्षतः । नाकल्याणं न कल्याणं प्रध्यायन्नुभयोस्तयोः ॥१-११०-१४॥
When one cloth is torn or one arm anointed with sandal, he contemplates neither auspiciousness nor inauspiciousness in either case.
न जिजीविषुवत्किञ्चिन्न मुमूर्षुवदाचरन् । मरणं जीवितं चैव नाभिनन्दन्न च द्विषन् ॥१-११०-१५॥
Behaving neither like one wishing to live nor like one wishing to die, he neither welcomed life nor despised death.
याः काश्चिज्जीवता शक्याः कर्तुमभ्युदयक्रियाः । ताः सर्वाः समतिक्रम्य निमेषादिष्ववस्थितः ॥१-११०-१६॥
Transcending all acts of prosperity possible through life, he remained steady even in the briefest moment.
तासु सर्वास्ववस्थासु त्यक्तसर्वेन्द्रियक्रियः । सम्परित्यक्तधर्मात्मा सुनिर्णिक्तात्मकल्मषः ॥१-११०-१७॥
In all such states, having renounced all sense activities, he had fully abandoned even righteousness, his inner impurities completely purified.
निर्मुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यो व्यतीतः सर्ववागुराः । न वशे कस्यचित्तिष्ठन्सधर्मा मातरिश्वनः ॥१-११०-१८॥
Freed from all sins, transcending all traps, not under anyone's control, he abided like the air, of the same essence as Mātariśvan.
एतया सततं वृत्त्या चरन्नेवम्प्रकारया । देहं सन्धारयिष्यामि निर्भयं मार्गमास्थितः ॥१-११०-१९॥
By this constant conduct in this way, I shall sustain the body, having fearlessly taken up the path.
नाहं श्वाचरिते मार्गे अवीर्यकृपणोचिते । स्वधर्मात्सततापेते रमेयं वीर्यवर्जितः ॥१-११०-२०॥
I would not delight in the path lived like a dog, suited to the impotent and pitiable, having forever strayed from one's own duty and devoid of valor.
सत्कृतोऽसक्तृतो वापि योऽन्यां कृपणचक्षुषा । उपैति वृत्तिं कामात्मा स शुनां वर्तते पथि ॥१-११०-२१॥
Whether honored or dishonored, the man of lust who approaches another woman with pitiful intent follows the path of dogs.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
एवमुक्त्वा सुदुःखार्तो निःश्वासपरमो नृपः । अवेक्षमाणः कुन्तीं च माद्रीं च समभाषत ॥१-११०-२२॥
Having spoken thus, the king, deeply afflicted and sighing greatly, looked at Kuntī and Mādrī and addressed them.
कौसल्या विदुरः क्षत्ता राजा च सह बन्धुभिः । आर्या सत्यवती भीष्मस्ते च राजपुरोहिताः ॥१-११०-२३॥
Kausalyā, Vidura, the steward, the king with his relatives, the noble lady Satyavatī, Bhīṣma, and the royal priests—
ब्राह्मणाश्च महात्मानः सोमपाः संशितव्रताः । पौरवृद्धाश्च ये तत्र निवसन्त्यस्मदाश्रयाः ॥ प्रसाद्य सर्वे वक्तव्याः पाण्डुः प्रव्रजितो वनम् ॥१-११०-२४॥
The great-souled Brāhmaṇas, Soma-drinkers of firm vows, the elders of the city and our dependents — after appeasing them all, inform them that Pāṇḍu has gone to the forest.
निशम्य वचनं भर्तुर्वनवासे धृतात्मनः । तत्समं वचनं कुन्ती माद्री च समभाषताम् ॥१-११०-२५॥
Hearing the speech of their resolute husband about going to the forest, Kuntī and Mādrī likewise spoke in agreement.
अन्येऽपि ह्याश्रमाः सन्ति ये शक्या भरतर्षभ । आवाभ्यां धर्मपत्नीभ्यां सह तप्त्वा तपो महत् ॥ त्वमेव भविता सार्थः स्वर्गस्यापि न संशयः ॥१-११०-२६॥
Other hermitages also exist which are suitable, O best of Bharatas. Performing great austerity with us two righteous wives, you alone will fulfill the aim — even for heaven, there is no doubt.
प्रणिधायेन्द्रियग्रामं भर्तृलोकपरायणे । त्यक्तकामसुखे ह्यावां तप्स्यावो विपुलं तपः ॥१-११०-२७॥
Restraining the senses and devoted to our husband's path, we two shall practice great austerity, having renounced pleasures of desire.
यदि आवां महाप्राज्ञ त्यक्ष्यसि त्वं विशां पते । अद्यैवावां प्रहास्यावो जीतिवं नात्र संशयः ॥१-११०-२८॥
If you, O wise king, forsake us, then this very day we two shall forsake life. Of this, there is no doubt.
पाण्डुरुवाच॥
Pāṇḍu said:
यदि व्यवसितं ह्येतद्युवयोर्धर्मसंहितम् । स्ववृत्तिमनुवर्तिष्ये तामहं पितुरव्ययाम् ॥१-११०-२९॥
If this resolution of you both is in accordance with dharma, I shall follow the unchanging conduct of my father.
त्यक्तग्राम्यसुखाचारस्तप्यमानो महत्तपः । वल्कली फलमूलाशी चरिष्यामि महावने ॥१-११०-३०॥
Abandoning the comforts of village life, performing great austerity, clad in bark, eating fruits and roots, I shall live in the great forest.
अग्निं जुह्वन्नुभौ कालावुभौ कालावुपस्पृशन् । कृशः परिमिताहारश्चीरचर्मजटाधरः ॥१-११०-३१॥
Offering oblations to fire and performing purifications at dawn and dusk, emaciated, eating sparingly, wearing bark, skin, and matted locks.
शीतवातातपसहः क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमान्वितः । तपसा दुश्चरेणेदं शरीरमुपशोषयन् ॥१-११०-३२॥
Enduring cold, wind, and heat, afflicted by hunger, thirst, and fatigue, he wasted away his body through intense austerity.
एकान्तशीली विमृशन्पक्वापक्वेन वर्तयन् । पितृन्देवांश्च वन्येन वाग्भिरद्भिश्च तर्पयन् ॥१-११०-३३॥
Dwelling in solitude, reflecting, sustaining himself with cooked and uncooked forest food, he propitiated the gods and ancestors with offerings, words, and water.
वानप्रस्थजनस्यापि दर्शनं कुलवासिनाम् । नाप्रियाण्याचरञ्जातु किं पुनर्ग्रामवासिनाम् ॥१-११०-३४॥
He never acted unpleasantly even towards forest-dwellers of noble descent — what then to speak of village-dwellers.
एवमारण्यशास्त्राणामुग्रमुग्रतरं विधिम् । काङ्क्षमाणोऽहमासिष्ये देहस्यास्य समापनात् ॥१-११०-३५॥
Thus, desiring the most austere discipline of the forest codes, I will dwell until the dissolution of this body.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
इत्येवमुक्त्वा भार्ये ते राजा कौरववंशजः । ततश्चूडामणिं निष्कमङ्गदे कुण्डलानि च ॥ वासांसि च महार्हाणि स्त्रीणामाभरणानि च ॥१-११०-३६॥
Having thus spoken to his wives, the king of the Kaurava line gave away his crest-jewel, golden neck ornament, armlets, and earrings; and the costly garments and ornaments of the women.
प्रदाय सर्वं विप्रेभ्यः पाण्डुः पुनरभाषत । गत्वा नागपुरं वाच्यं पाण्डुः प्रव्रजितो वनम् ॥१-११०-३७॥
Having given away all to the Brāhmaṇas, Pāṇḍu said again: “Go to Nāgapura and say, ‘Pāṇḍu has retired to the forest.’”
अर्थं कामं सुखं चैव रतिं च परमात्मिकाम् । प्रतस्थे सर्वमुत्सृज्य सभार्यः कुरुपुङ्गवः ॥१-११०-३८॥
Renouncing wealth, desire, pleasure, and even supreme spiritual delight, the foremost of the Kurus departed with his wife.
ततस्तस्यानुयात्राणि ते चैव परिचारकाः । श्रुत्वा भरतसिंहस्य विविधाः करुणा गिरः ॥ भीममार्तस्वरं कृत्वा हाहेति परिचुक्रुशुः ॥१-११०-३९॥
Then his followers and attendants, hearing the sorrowful utterances of the lion among Bharatas, wailed aloud, crying “Alas!” with terrible lamentation.
उष्णमश्रु विमुञ्चन्तस्तं विहाय महीपतिम् । ययुर्नागपुरं तूर्णं सर्वमादाय तद्वचः ॥१-११०-४०॥
Shedding hot tears, leaving the king behind, they swiftly went to Nāgapura, carrying his message.
श्रुत्वा च तेभ्यस्तत्सर्वं यथावृत्तं महावने । धृतराष्ट्रो नरश्रेष्ठः पाण्डुमेवान्वशोचत ॥१-११०-४१॥
Having heard from them all that had happened in the great forest, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, best among men, lamented only for Pāṇḍu.
राजपुत्रस्तु कौरव्यः पाण्डुर्मूलफलाशनः । जगाम सह भार्याभ्यां ततो नागसभं गिरिम् ॥१-११०-४२॥
Pāṇḍu, the Kuru prince living on roots and fruits, went with his two wives to the mountain Nāgasabha.
स चैत्ररथमासाद्य वारिषेणमतीत्य च । हिमवन्तमतिक्रम्य प्रययौ गन्धमादनम् ॥१-११०-४३॥
He reached Caitraratha, crossed the river Vāriṣā, passed over the Himālaya, and went to Gandhamādana.
रक्ष्यमाणो महाभूतैः सिद्धैश्च परमर्षिभिः । उवास स तदा राजा समेषु विषमेषु च ॥१-११०-४४॥
Protected by great beings, perfected souls, and exalted sages, the king then dwelt in both easy and difficult terrains.
इन्द्रद्युम्नसरः प्राप्य हंसकूटमतीत्य च । शतशृङ्गे महाराज तापसः समपद्यत ॥१-११०-४५॥
Having reached lake Indradyumna and passed the swan-peak Haṁsakuṭa, he became an ascetic at the hundred-peaked mountain, O great king.
