01.118
Pancharatra:Last rites of King Pandu.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
O Vidura, have all the funeral rites of Pāṇḍu performed like those of a royal lion, and especially of Mādrī.
Give animals, garments, jewels, and various kinds of wealth of Pāṇḍu and Mādrī to whomsoever as much as is desired.
Give Mādrī the same honor as Kuntī, in such a way that neither wind nor sun may see her well-covered form.
Pāṇḍu, the sinless and praiseworthy lord of men, is not to be mourned, for five heroic sons were born to him, equal to the sons of gods.
Vaiśaṁpāyana said.
Vidura, saying "so be it" and with Bhīṣma, had Pāṇḍu consecrated in a most secluded place, O Bhārata.
Then from the city, blazing fires were swiftly brought forth, preceded by ghee-offering rites, by the royal priests for Pāṇḍu.
Then they adorned his palanquin completely with seasonal scents, various excellent garlands, and cloth coverings.
The ministers, kinsmen, and friends approached the palanquin, adorned with garlands, garments, and great riches.
That lion among men was carried in the chief vehicle, drawn by men and most richly adorned, along with the well-covered Mādrī.
Then they decorated him with a white umbrella, a yak-tail fan, and the sounds of all musical instruments.
The men, having taken many jewels by hundreds, gave them as funeral offerings of Pāṇḍu to those who desired.
Then they brought white, pale, and large umbrellas, and also bright garments, for the sake of the Kaurava.
The sacrificial fires, being offered into by priests in white garments, went blazing and well-adorned before him.
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras by the thousands, weeping and tormented by grief, followed the lord of men.
Where will this lord of men go, who has abandoned us in sorrow, placed us in the eternal pain, having made us orphans though he was our protector?
Crying aloud, all the Pāṇḍavas, Bhīṣma, and Vidura reached a delightful, level, and auspicious forest spot on the bank of the Ganga.
Then the truthful ones placed down the palanquin of the lion among men Pāṇḍu, with his wife, who had unblemished deeds.
Then his body, smeared with all perfumes, anointed with pure kālīyaka, and prepared for the main bath, was quickly sprinkled with water from golden pots.
They smeared him with excellent white sandalwood mixed with black aloe and also with strong essence.
Then they clothed him with local white garments. Covered thus, the bull among men looked as if alive, shining like a tiger among men, fit for a costly bed.
Permitted by the officiating priests who were resolved in the funeral rites, the king anointed with ghee and well adorned, along with Mādrī, was prepared.
They cremated with fragrant sandalwood mixed with red sandalwood and various other plentiful perfumes.
Then, seeing the bodies of the two, Kausalyā, overcome by delusion, cried "Alas, my son!" and suddenly fell to the ground.
Seeing her fallen and afflicted, all the city and country folk wept aloud, filled with compassion and devotion to the king.
All beings, even animals, wailed as if exhausted by the cry of anguish, along with the human beings.
Likewise Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, and Vidura of great intellect, and all the Kauravas, sighed deeply and were extremely distressed.
Then Bhīṣma, Vidura, and the king, along with kinsmen, performed the water offering for him, along with all the Kuru women.
Having brought the grief-stricken Pāṇḍavas who had performed the water-offering, all the lamenting subjects surrounded them, O king.
Just as the Pāṇḍavas slept on the ground with their kinsmen, so too did the townspeople, O king—Brahmins and others lay down likewise.
For twelve nights the city, together with the Pāṇḍavas, became joyless, unwell, and without cheer, from elders to children alike.
