15.047
Performance of the śrāddha (funeral rite) for Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
Nārada said.
He was not burnt by useless fire, as I have heard there; I shall tell you about that king Vicitravīrya, O Bhārata. (15-47-1)
We have heard that, when that wise one living on air entered the forest, the sacred fires, having had the sacrifice performed, were abandoned. (15-47-2)
But the priests then left his fires in a deserted forest and went away as they wished, O best of the Bharatas. (15-47-3)
That increased fire then arose in that forest, indeed. Because of that, the ascetics said to me that the forest was ignited. (15-47-4)
O best of Bharatas, that king, on the bank of the Jāhnavī, as I have told you, was himself united with that very fire. (15-47-5)
Thus, the sages reported to me, O sinless one. O Yudhishthira, those whom you saw on the bank of the Bhagirathi River were shown to me. (15-47-6)
Thus, by his own fire the king has departed, O lord of the earth. Do not grieve—you; the king has gone to the supreme state. (15-47-7)
By service to the teacher, your mother, O Pāṇḍava, has surely attained very great success—of this I have no doubt. (15-47-8)
O descendant of Kuru, you ought to perform the water-rite for them. Together with all your brothers, let this be done here. (15-47-9)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then that king, chief among the Pāṇḍavas, departed together with his full brothers and his wife, O best of the Bharatas. (15-47-10)
The inhabitants of the towns and countryside, led by loyalty to the king, went from all directions to the Gaṅgā, clothed in a single garment. (15-47-11)
Then, after entering the water, all those chiefs of the Kurus, with the one who desired battle positioned in front, offered water to the great-souled one. (15-47-12)
Gāndhārī and Pṛthā, observing purification according to proper procedure with due regard to name and lineage, stayed there outside the city. (15-47-13)
He, O best of the Kurus, sent men expert in the proper rites to Gaṅgādvāra, where the king had been cremated. (15-47-14)
At that very place, the king caused water channels for them to be dug at Gaṅgādvāra at that time, and commanded that men worthy of receiving gifts should be provided for this purpose. (15-47-15)
On the twelfth day, the son of Pāṇḍu, having performed purification, gave to them the ancestral rites according to rule, accompanied by gifts, as the lord of men. (15-47-16)
Addressing Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the king gave gold, silver, cows, and beds of very great value. (15-47-17)
The splendid king, having recited separately the names of Gandhari and Pritha, gave unsurpassed gifts. (15-47-18)
The twice-born (brāhmaṇa) obtains whatever and however much he desires—bed, food, vehicle, jewels, and also wealth. (15-47-19)
The king, the lord of the earth, gave vehicles, coverings, enjoyments, female servants and attendants, having designated them for the two mothers. (15-47-20)
Then the wise king, having performed many funeral rites, once again entered the city of Varanasi. (15-47-21)
Then those men who had gone on the king's command, having identified their families, returned again. (15-47-22)
Having worshipped with garlands, scents, and various offerings according to the prescribed rule, and having connected their water-channels, they informed the king of this. (15-47-23)
And having consoled the righteous-souled King Yudhishthira, O king, the supreme sage Narada also departed as he wished. (15-47-24)
Thus, the years passed for the wise Dhritarashtra: three in forest dwelling, and fifteen (ten and five) in the city. (15-47-25)
He whose son has been slain in battle always gives gifts to the kinsmen, relatives, friends, brothers, and his own people. (15-47-26)
But King Yudhishthira, though not very pleased at heart then, bore that kingdom, having had his relatives and friends killed. (15-47-27)
