01.116
Core:Pandu's death and Madri's sahagamana.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Then Pāṇḍu rejoiced on the mountain, seeing his five handsome sons in the great forest, protected by his own strength.
Once, in spring, the king roamed the blooming, enchanting forest with his wife.
With palāśa, tilaka, mango, champaka, pāribhadra, and many other trees rich in fruits and flowers.
Seeing Pāṇḍu’s forest adorned with diverse waters and lotuses, desire arose in his heart.
With a joyful heart, as he roamed like a god, Mādrī followed him alone, wearing beautiful attire.
Looking at her, youthful and lightly clad, desire grew in him like a fire arising in the thicket.
Seeing her alone, equal to himself and lotus-eyed, the king, overpowered by desire, could not restrain his passion.
Then the king seized her forcibly in seclusion, though she trembled and resisted with all her strength.
His soul overcome by desire, he did not recall the curse, as he forced himself upon Mādrī in sexual union.
Falling under the sway of desire, the Kuru prince, abandoning the fear of the curse, went forcibly to his beloved—bringing about his death.
His desire-driven intellect, deluded directly by Time, perished with his consciousness, having shaken the group of senses.
Having united with his wife, O joy of the Kurus, Pāṇḍu, the supremely righteous soul, was joined by the law of Time (death).
Then Mādrī, embracing the lifeless king, released loud cries of grief again and again.
Then Kuntī, with her sons and Mādrī's two sons, arrived together where the king had passed away.
Then Mādrī, distressed, said this to Kuntī: "You alone return; let the children remain there."
Hearing her words, restraining the children right there, she cried aloud, "I am ruined," and suddenly rushed toward her.
Seeing Pāṇḍu and Mādrī lying on the ground, Kuntī, her body overwhelmed by grief, lamented in deep sorrow.
Though always protected by me, O heroic and self-controlled forest-dweller, how did you transgress the curse knowingly?
Surely the king was to be protected by you, O Mādrī — how did you entice the lord of men in seclusion?
How, having approached the ever-vulnerable one in seclusion, did delight arise in him while pondering the curse?
O Bāhlīka lady, you are blessed and more fortunate than I, having seen the face of the joyous king.
Mādrī said:
Though repeatedly restrained and enticed by me, his self was not held back — truly, it was fate he sought to fulfill.
Kuntī said:
I am the elder and the rightful wife; the chief fruit of dharma is mine. Do not restrain me, O Mādrī, from what is destined.
I shall follow my husband who has gone to the realm of the dead. Arise, leave him, and protect these children.
Mādrī said:
I alone shall follow the husband who has departed. I am not yet fulfilled in desire — O elder, allow me this.
Having approached me weakened by desire, this best of Bharatas — how can I not destroy his longing in Yama's abode?
Nor indeed shall I, O noble one, conduct myself impartially toward your sons — thus sin would touch me.
Therefore, O Kuntī, you must care for my sons like your own. For this king, desiring me, has gone to the realm of the dead.
This body of mine, along with the king’s, must be burned, well-covered — O noble one, please do this favor.
Be vigilant toward the children and act as their benefactor. I see nothing else that needs to be said.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Having spoken thus, the glorious daughter of the king of Madra swiftly mounted the funeral pyre of her husband, the bull among men.
