9. Death Of Pandu: Mahabharata
(C. Rajagopalachari)
Write your abstract here. A sage and his wife had assumed the appearance of deer while they mated in the forest. At the time, King Pandu was nearby, hunting. He was unaware that the mating deers were humans in disguise, and shot the male down with an arrow. Before dying, the sage cursed Pandu to the effect that the latter would meet with death if ever he indulged in sensual pleasures. Pandu was overcome with dismay. He handed over his kingdom to Bhishma and Vidura and along with his wives, took refuge in the forest. Conscious of Pandu?s despair, Kunti told him about the mantra that Durvasa had conferred on her. Pandu, somewhat enthused, persuaded Kunti and Madri to use the mantra that would enable them to bear the children of the gods. The wives followed his instructions and in course of time, the five Pandavas were born. Time sped along until on one sprightly spring morning, Pandu felt the overpowering urge for sensual gratification. Madri tried to dissuade Pandu as she knew that such an act was an invitation to death. But Pandu would not relent, and eventually Madri had to give in. The sage?s curse took its toll. Pandu was stricken to death. Madri?s sorrow knew no bounds. She took upon herself the guilt of being the cause of Pandu?s death and entered the pyre where her husband?s remains were burnt. Before so doing, she earnestly requested Kunti to bring up her orphaned children. The sages of the forest accompanied the Pandavas and Kunti to Hastinapura. Once in the capital, they entrusted the children and their mother to the care of Bhishma. With the news of Pandu?s death reaching the kingdom, the citizens were gripped by a sense of irreparable loss. Funeral rites were performed by Vidura, Bhishma, Vyasa, Dhritarashtra and others. Vyasa advised Satyavati to retire to the forest rather than waiting to undergo the miseries that were in store. Satyavati agreed and took refuge in a forest hermitage with Ambika and Ambalika. Through the practice of asceticism, they rose to higher levels of bliss and were spared from witnessing the sorrows that would befall their offspring.
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