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.
Resumos Relacionados
- Mahabharat
- 2. Bhishma's Vow: Mahabharata
- 10. Bhima: Mahabharata
- 7. Vidura: Mahabharata
- 3. Amba And Bhishma: Mahabharata
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