132.1   Pandu's death

Beholding his five handsome sons growing up before him in that great forest on the charming mountain slope, Pandu felt the lost might of his arms revive once more. One day in the season of spring which maddens every creature, the king accompanied by his wife Madri, began to rove in the woods where every tree had put forth new blossoms. He beheld all around Palasas and Tilakas and Mangoes and Champakas and Parihadrakas and Karnikaras, Asokas and Kesaras and Atimuktas and Kuruvakas with swarms of maddened bees sweetly humming about. And there were flowers of blossoming Parijatas with the Kokilas pouring forth their melodies from under every twig echoing with the sweet hums of the black bees. Pandu also beheld various other kinds of trees bent down with the weight of their flowers and fruits. And there were also many fine pools of water overgrown with hundreds of fragrant lotuses. Beholding all these, Pandu felt the soft influence of desire. Roving amidst such scenery, Pandu was alone with his wife Madri in semi-transparent attire. Beholding the youthful Madri thus attired, the king's desire flamed up. Unable to suppress his desire thus kindled at the sight of his wife, he was completely overpowered. The king then seized her against her will, but Madri trembling in fear resisted him to the best of her might. Consumed by desire, he forgot everything about the Rishi's curse. Impelled by fate, the monarch, overpowered by passion, forcibly sought the embraces of Madri.. His reason, thus beguiled by the great Destroyer himself intoxicating his senses, was itself lost with his life. And the Kuru king Pandu, of virtuous soul, succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time, while united in intercourse with his wife. Then Madri, clasping the body of her senseless lord, began to weep aloud. Hearing those cries of grief Kunti with her sons and the twins of Madri, came to the spot . Then Madri addressing Kunti in a piteous voice, said, 'Come here alone, O Kunti, and let the children stay there.' Hearing these words, Kunti, bidding the children stay, ran to where Pandu lay dead. Beholding both Pandu and Madri lying prostrate on the ground she went in grief , saying, ' O Madri, the king had all along been watched by me with care. How did he then forget the Rishi's curse and approach you with desire? He should have been protected by you. Why did you tempt him into solitude? Always melancholy at the thought of the Rishi's curse, how did he come to be merry with you in solitude? O princess of Valhika, you are more fortunate than myself and are really to be envied, for you have seen the face of our lord filled with gladness and joy.' Madri replied, 'Revered sister, with tears in my eyes, I resisted the king, but he could not control himself.' Kunti then said, 'I am the older of his wedded wives; the chief religious merit must be mine. So do not prevent me. I must follow our lord to the region of the dead. Rise up and yield me his body. You rear these children.' Madri replied, saying, 'I am yet clasping our lord, and have not allowed him to depart. Therefore, I shall follow him. My appetite hath not been appeased. You are my older sister, O let me have your sanction. This foremost of the Bharata princes had approached me, desiring to have intercourse. His appetite unsatiated, should I not follow him in the region of Yama to gratify him? If I survive you, it is certain I shall not be able to rear your children as if they were mine. Will not sin touch me on that account? But you, O Kunti, shall be able to bring my sons up as if they were yours. The king, in seeking me wishfully, has gone to the region of spirits; therefore, my body should be burnt with his. Do not withhold your sanction to this . You wilt certainly bring up the children carefully. That indeed, would be very agreeable to me. I have no other direction to give!' Having said this, the daughter of the king of Madras, the wedded wife of Pandu, ascended the funeral pyre of her lord.