“Vaishampaayana said, ‘The godlike Maharishis, wise in
counsels, seeing the death of Pandu, consulted with one another, and said, ‘The
Dharmic and renowned king Pandu, leaving behind both sovereignty and kingdom
came here for practising severe Tapas and left himself to the Rishis staying on
this mountain. He has hence ascended to heaven, leaving his wife and infant
sons as a trust in our hands. Our duty now is to travel to his kingdom with
these his children and his wife.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Then those godlike Maharishis
of magnanimous hearts, and crowned with success of Tapas, calling one another,
resolved to go to Hastinapura with Pandu's children ahead, desiring to place
them in the hands of Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. The Rishis set out that very
moment, taking with them those children, Kunti and the two dead bodies (of Pandu and Maadri). Though
unused to hardship all her life, the affectionate Kunti now regarded the really
long journey she had to perform as very short. Having arrived at Kurujaangala (Kurujaangala
is the country whose capital is Hastinapura) within a short time, the well respected Kunti presented herself at the
main gate.
“The Rishis then asked the porters to inform the king (Dhritarashtra) of their
arrival. The men carried the message in a moment to the court. The citizens of
Hastinapura, hearing of the arrival of thousands of Charanas and Munis, were
filled with wonder. It was soon after sunrise that they began to come out in
numbers with their wives and children to see those Rishis. Seated in all kinds
of chariots and conveyances by thousands, vast numbers of Kshatriyas with their
wives, and Brahmanas with their wives came out. The crowd of Vaishyas and Shudras
too was as large on the occasion. The vast assembly was very peaceful, for
every heart then was inclined to Dharma. There also came out Bhishma – the son
of Shantanu, Somadatta (Somdatta is the son of Baahlika), Baahlika (Baahlika is the king of
Baahlika kingdom and the elder brother of Shantanu) and the Rajarishi (Dhritarashtra) endued with the vision of knowledge, Kshatta (Vidura) himself, the worshipped Satyavati, the respected
princess of Kosala and Gandhari accompanied by the other ladies of the royal
household. The hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, decked with various ornaments,
also came out.
“The Kauravas, then, accompanied by their priest,
saluted the Rishis by lowering their heads, and took their seats before them.
The citizens also saluting the Rishis and bowing down to them with touching the
ground, took their seats there. O king (Janamejaya), then Bhishma, setting that vast crowd
perfectly still, duly worshipped those Rishis by offering them water to wash
their feet with and the customary Arghya. Having done this, he spoke to them
about the sovereignty and the kingdom. Then the oldest of the Rishis with
matted locks on head and loins covered with animal skin, stood up, and with the
agreement of the other Rishis, spoke as follows, ‘You all know that that
possessor of the sovereignty of the Kurus who was called king Pandu, had, after
abandoning the pleasures of the world, travelled hence to stay on the mountain
of a hundred peaks (Shata-Sringa).
He adopted the Brahmacharya mode of life, but for some mysterious purpose the Devas
have in view, this his eldest son, Yudhishthira, was born there, fatherd by
Dharma(deva) himself. Then that
illustrious king obtained from Vaayu this other son -- the foremost of all
mighty men -- called Bhima. This other son, fathered upon Kunti by (Lord) Indra, is Dhananjaya (Arjuna) whose achievements will humble all bowmen
in the world. Look here again at these tigers among men, mighty in the use of
the bow, the twin children fathered upon Maadri by the twin Ashwins (Ashwini
Devas). Leading in Dharma the life of a
Vanaprastha in the forest, respectable Pandu has thus revived the almost
extinct line of his grandfather.
“The birth, growth, and Vedic studies of these
children of Pandu, will, no doubt, give you great pleasure. Steadily adhering
to the path of Dharma and the path of the wise, and leaving behind him these
children, Pandu departed hence seventeen days ago. His wife Maadri, seeing him
placed in the funeral pyre and about to be consumed, herself ascended the same
pyre, and sacrificing her life thus, has gone with her lord to the region
reserved for chaste wives (Patni in Sanskrit). Accomplish now whatever rites should be
performed for their benefit. These are (the unburnt portions of) their bodies. Here also are their children
-- these oppressors of enemies -- with their mother. Let these be now received
with due honours. After the completion of the first rites in honour of the
dead, let the Dharmic Pandu, who had all along been the supporter of the
dignity of the Kurus, have the first annual Sraddha (Sapindakarana) performed with a view to installing him
formally among the Pitris.’
“Vaishampaayana
continued, ‘The Rishis with Guhyakas, having said this to the Kurus, instantly
disappeared in the very sight of the people. Seeing the Rishis and the Siddhas
thus vanish in their sight like vapoury forms appearing and disappearing in the
skies, the citizens filled with wonder returned to their homes.’”
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