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MBK: 1.3: The Pandavas Come to Hastinapura
Chapter 3 The Pandavas Come to Hastinapura
In Hastinapura, Dhrtarastra had performed five sacrifices with the wealth Pandu had
bestowed upon him. He gave charity to hundreds of thousands of Brahmins and satisfied the
gods with his offerings. The kingdom flourished and the citizens had everything they desired.
They were devoted to virtue, sacrifice and truth. Bearing love and affection for one
another, they grew in prosperity. Hastinapura was like the ocean filled with numerous palaces
and mansions. There were golden arches and crystal fountains everywhere. Between broad,
paved highways lay beautiful gardens and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of
blossoming trees. The clatter of horses' hooves and chariot wheels mixed with the trumpeting
of elephants and the blare of conchshells which mark the beginning of sacrificial performances.
Holy chants uttered by numerous Brahmins emanated from tall and exquisitely carved temple buildings,
which graced the city in their thousands. Hastinapura appeared like Indra's celestial
capital, and each day dozens of feudal kings would arrive bringing tribute.
Assisted by Bhisma, Dhrtarastra ruled over the kingdom on Pandu's behalf. After hearing
of Pandu cursed and his subsequent retirement, Dhrtarastra, despite his blindness, was officially
installed as monarch. He thought sadly of his brother and missed him greatly, but in
his absence he competently managed all the affairs of state.
It once came to pass that Vyasadeva arrived hungry and thirsty at Dhrtarastra's palace.
Gandhari attended to him conscientiously. Vyasadeva was pleased with the girl and blessed
her, "You shall soon have one hundred sons as powerful as your husband." In due course
of time Gandhari conceived. For two years she bore the embryo within her womb, becoming
increasingly anxious. Then one day news reached her that Kunti had given birth in the forest
to a boy as effulgent as the morning sun. Out of frustration and anger at her own excessively
long gestation, she struck violently at her womb. She then brought forth a hard mass of
flesh that resembled an iron ball. As her nurses informed her of the stillbirth, she
was afflicted by grief and thought of Vyasadeva and his boon.
At once the sage appeared before her and said, "What have you done?"
Gandhari told him how she had become overwhelmed with envy and frustration when she had heard
of Kunti giving birth to Yudhisthira. With tears in her eyes she said, "I struck my womb
and this lump of flesh came out. What then was the meaning of your boon?"
Vyasadeva replied that his words could never prove false. He asked the servants to bring
one hundred one pots filled with ghee. He then sprinkled cool water on the lump of flesh
and it gradually divided into one hundred and one parts, each the size of a thumb. These
were placed in the pots which were then sealed and placed in a concealed spot. Vyasadeva
instructed that the pots should be opened only after two more years had passed. He then
departed for his lonely mountain ashram.
Exactly after the two years had elapsed the pots were opened one by one. From the first
came a child who was named Duryodhana. At the moment he was brought out of the pot the
sound of braying *** and screaming vultures was heard. Jackals howled and the wind blew
fiercely. Without any apparent cause, fires sprang up all around the city and raged in
all directions.
The frightened King Dhrtarastra summoned the Brahmins, Bhisma, Vidura and other ministers
and counselors. He asked them the meaning of the omens. "The eldest of the princes is
undoubtedly Yudhisthira and he should inherit the kingdom. I do not dispute that. But will
my own son become the king after him? O wise ones, please tell me what is right and lawful."
As Dhrtarastra spoke the terrible sounds began again from all sides. Hearing this, Vidura
replied to the king, "When these omens are seen at the birth of a child, it is evident
that he will be the exterminator of his race. Our prosperity and future depend upon his
being abandoned. Do not hesitate, O King. This child must be cast away at once."
Vidura told Dhrtarastra that he would still have ninety-nine other sons. There would be
no sin in abandoning this child, as the scriptures clearly state that an individual can be abandoned
for the sake of a family. Indeed, a family can be abandoned for the sake of a village,
a village for the sake of a city and the world itself can be abandoned for the sake of the
soul.
Dhrtarastra was unable to accept Vidura's counsel. He could not allow his son to be
cast away. He shook his head slowly and said nothing in reply. As the nurse stood by holding
the baby, the king waved her toward Gandhari and the child was handed to her. Bhisma and
Vidura looked at one another but said nothing. Dhrtarastra was the monarch; his word was
final.
Over the course of the next month, all the pots were opened and one hundred boys and
one girl were brought out. All the boys bore the signs of being great warriors and rulers.
The king and queen rejoiced in their good fortune. Dismissing the evil omens, they dwelt
contentedly in Hastinapura, attended by Bhisma and Vidura.
* * *
On Saptasrota Mountain, spring had arrived. Pandu, surrounded by his five youthful sons,
felt young again. He sported with the boys in the hills, scaling rock faces and challenging
lions in their caves. They dived and played in mountain pools and climbed tall trees.
Wrestling and laughing together, they rolled about the soft grassy slopes.
One evening Pandu went into the woods with Madri to fetch roots and fruits for their
evening meal. As they strolled, they saw countless varieties of blossoming trees and bushes.
The air was heavy with scent and the sounds of cuckoos and other birds filled the air.
Black bees swarmed about the many-colored flowers that surrounded lakes overgrown with
lotuses. The celestial atmosphere awoke romance in Pandu's heart. He gazed at the beautiful
Madri, his mind influenced by Cupid. It was a hot day and Madri was clad in a long silk
robe. In the bright sunshine, Pandu could see the outline of her exquisite form, which
resembled that of a goddess. The soft breeze made her dress cling to her body, revealing
her slender waist and firm, round ***.
Pandu could not suppress his desire. He had kept himself in check for twelve years and
had not dared to contemplate embracing his wives. Kindama's curse was always uppermost
in his mind and he had resigned himself to practising celibacy with the determination
of a rsi. It seemed ages ago when he had been able to enjoy conjugal love with his wives.
Now Pandu again felt those stirrings moving his heart. His mind was confounded and he
moved closer to Madri, gently placing his hand on her arm.
Madri at once understood what was in Pandu's heart. She was seized by conflicting emotions.
How was her lord suddenly approaching her in this way? Out of fear of the curse he had
carefully avoided any physical contact with either her or Kunti for a long time. Although
she herself had longed for his embrace, she had scrupulously avoided any situation that
might entice her husband. She did not even apply cosmetics or perfumes. But as the powerful
Pandu embraced her, she felt her resolve weaken. Delight and fear seized her heart at once.
As her emotions clashed, her mind was petrified. What about the curse! If Pandu did not stop,
he would doubtlessly be destroyed. She had to prevent him.
Madri tried to push her husband away. Pandu smiled, incited further by her protests. His
mighty arms, deeply tanned and marked with scars from his bowstring, closed around her
like serpents. Overpowered by desire, he could not even hear her as she reminded him about
the curse. He pressed her lips with his and dropped down to a grassy slope with the beautiful
queen held tightly in his arms. Lifting her robes, he pushed himself firmly against her
soft body. Madri's struggles only inflamed his passion more.
As if impelled by the lord of death himself, the monarch entirely lost his reason under
the influence of ***. No thought of Kindama's curse entered his mind as he lost himself
in enjoyment with his fair-skinned wife. Even as he tried to consummate the act with Madri,
the rsi's words took effect. Pandu's chest was seized with a terrible pain and a shocked
look crossed his face. His body stiffened and went slack.
As Pandu's body fell from hers, Madri let out a wail of sorrow. Her worst fears had
been realized. Despite all her protests she had not been able to prevent her husband's
death. The distraught queen repeatedly embraced her dead husband and lamented loudly.
Kunti heard Madri's cries and ran over to where she lay. As Kunti approached, the tearful
Madri told her to come alone, without children. Kunti quickly sent the boys back to the ashram,
then rushed to Pandu's side. She dropped to the ground. Kunti realized at once what had
happened, and she cried out, "My lord!" Tears welled into her eyes as she turned to Madri.
"O noble one, how have you allowed this to happen? I was always so careful to protect
our lord from this very danger. How did he embrace you, knowing of the rsi's curse? Why
did you tempt him when you were alone together? He was always grave in our company as he thought
of Kindama's words. How did he become so careless?"
Madri wept, unable to reply. Kunti tossed about on the ground next to her. The two beautiful
ladies embraced their husband's dead body and shed profuse tears. Kunti again addressed
Madri. "O princess of Madra, you are surely more fortunate than I, for you saw our lord's
face light up with joy as he approached you in this lonely place."
Gathering her senses, Madri replied, "O sister, with tears in my eyes I tried to resist him,
yet he could not control himself. He seemed bent on fulfilling the rsi's curse."
Kunti prayed for strength. Somehow this was God's arrangement. The ways of Providence
were always mysterious. But what should be done now? What was her duty? She gently stroked
the head of her younger co-wife and said, "O Madri, there is only one recourse for me.
Please allow me to ascend to heaven with our lord. Rise up and raise our children. Give
me the body and, tightly embracing it, I shall enter fire."
Madri shook her head. She pleaded with Kunti, "The monarch died as he approached me for
intercourse. His desire was not satiated. Should it not be I who goes to the region
of the dead to gratify him? I am still clasping him even now and will not allow him to go
without me. O Kunti, please let me go!"
Madri felt incapable of bringing up the children by herself. Kunti would be a far better mother.
Madri had seen her gentle dealings with the boys. She would surely treat them all equally.
Madri begged Kunti's permission to enter the fire with Pandu. "O Kunti, the king sought
me with desire. Grant me leave to fulfill that desire. You would be doing me the greatest
good. I shall leave my sons in your care without any fear."
Kunti looked compassionately upon Madri as she lay with her arms around Pandu and bathing
him with her tears. The noble Kunti felt her heart torn. Although as the elder wife it
was her privilege to choose to follow the king to the next world, how could she deny
Madri? It was to her that Pandu had been attracted. If Madri were to live, she would live with
the memory of that brief and terrible moment all her life. Guilt would consume her, along
with the anguish of being unable to fulfill her lord's last desire. Although she longed
to follow her husband, Kunti could not be so cruel to her co-wife. She touched Madri
gently and said, "So be it." Kunti then went with a heavy heart toward the ashram.
When the boys heard of their father's death they were struck with grief. They ran crying
to where he lay and fell to the ground, like powerful lions rolling on the earth. Madri
blessed them tearfully and told them that she would be ascending the pyre with her husband.
She asked her two sons to remain with Kunti and to serve her steadfastly. The boys were
too shocked to reply. They watched as the rsis built a pyre next to the king's body,
then, while reciting mantras, placed his body upon the pyre. They asked Yudhisthira to step
forward. The prince, blinded by tears, set fire to the pyre and stood back. As the flames
rose, Madri folded her palms and fell upon her lord's body, holding tight as the fire
consumed them both. Within minutes both she and Pandu were gone.
The griefstricken Kunti then asked the rsis what she could do. The rsis advised Kunti
to return to Hastinapura with her boys as soon as possible. They also told her they
would accompany her, carrying the remains of Pandu and Madri with them
The large number of rsis, Siddhas and Caranas formed a procession, walking ahead of Kunti
and her sons. By their mystical powers, they all arrived at Hastinapura within a short
time. Kunti then presented herself at the northern gate and messengers ran swiftly to
inform the king.
Upon hearing of her arrival, Dhrtarastra, Bhisma, Satyavati and all the other Kuru elders
hurried to the gate, followed by a large number of citizens, who had heard that an assembly
of celestials had arrived. Everyone was struck with wonder to see the brilliant rsis surrounded
by Siddhas and Caranas. People came out in the thousands to see those divine beings.
Dhrtarastra, along with his one hundred sons, bowed before the rsis. Bhisma and the others
also offered their obeisances to the sages and, after offering them seats, they sat before
them on silk mats spread out on the ground. When the crowd was finally settled, Bhisma
went forward and worshipped the rsis by bathing their feet and offering them arghya. He answered
their enquiries about the kingdom's welfare, saying that everything was well. Then one
of the leading rsis stood up and addressed the Kuru elders. "The virtuous monarch went
to the Saptasrota mountain to observe the vow of celibacy. Somehow by the Lord's inscrutable
plan and the arrangement of the gods, his five sons were born."
The rsi then introduced each of Pandu's sons and revealed the identities of their divine
fathers. He told them how the boys had been trained in Vedic knowledge and had grown to
youthhood in the company of rsis and Siddhas. Glancing around the large concourse of men
who had assembled outside the city, the rsi said, "Steadily adhering to virtue, and leaving
behind him these children, Pandu has ascended to the higher worlds. The chaste Madri has
gone with him. Now his sons should be accepted as the kingdom's rightful heirs."
The rsi pointed to a bier lying nearby, covered with a white cloth. "Here are the remains
of Pandu and his wife. Perform the funeral rites and accept his sons as if they were
your own. We shall now depart."
When the rsi stopped speaking he, along with all the other rsis and celestial beings, vanished.
In astonishment the citizens returned to their homes. Bhisma then led Kunti and the boys
into the city and arranged for their accommodation in a royal palace. Dhrtarastra ordered the
funeral rites to be performed and declared a state of mourning in the city for twelve
full days.
The Kurus were distracted with grief over Pandu's loss. Pandu had been dearly loved
by all the citizens and they loudly lamented. Pandu's five sons, known as the Pandavas,
lay on the bare ground for twelve days, giving full vent to their grief. They did not accept
royal comforts or beds, and they wept along with the Kuru elders.
At the end of the mourning period, the Kurus performed Pandu's sraddha. They distributed
vast amounts of food and wealth to the Brahmins on behalf of the departed souls. Then life
returned to normal in Hastinapura and Pandu's sons took their place in the royal family.
It was at that time that Vyasa chose to again appear in the city. He spoke privately to
the bereaved and sorrowful Satyavati. "O Mother, fearful and terrible times lie ahead. The
dark age of Kali now approaches. Sin increases day by day. Soon, by the evil acts of the
Kurus, your race will be destroyed and a great havoc will be wrought in the world."
Vyasa advised his mother to immediately retire to the forest rather than staying to witness
the pain and horror that would soon follow. She should devote herself to yoga practice
and meditation.
After Vyasa left, Satyavati reflected on his words. She decided to follow his advice. She
then told her two daughters-in-law of her intentions, and asked Pandu's distraught mother,
Ambalika, to accompany her. The two royal ladies soon left for the forest to dedicate
themselves to asceticism. In time they gave up their bodies and went joyfully to the higher
regions. Ambika remained at Hastinapura with her son, Dhrtarastra.