The Final Rites of Pandu and Madri (Mahabharata Series 25)

The Final Rites of Pandu and Madri

When Dhritarashtra learned of Pandu’s death through the sages, he was overwhelmed with grief. With tear-filled eyes, he instructed Vidura to make arrangements for the royal funerary rites of Pandu and Madri, befitting their stature.

Vidura, affirming his command, wiped his tears and departed to organize the ceremonies. The royal priests, carrying the sacred fire (Yajñeshvara), purified with ghee and fragrant substances, proceeded beyond the city limits to perform Pandu’s cremation rites.

Relatives and kin anointed the sacred remains of Pandu and Madri with fine perfumes, adorned them with fresh garments and floral garlands, and placed them in a beautifully decorated palanquin embellished with flower festoons. Accompanied by royal parasols, chamaras, musical instruments, and solemn proclamations, the relics were carried to the banks of the holy river Ganga. Amid the chanting of Vedic mantras and the collective lament of the people, the sacred procession advanced.

During the funeral rites, the royal family generously performed donations of cows, land, garments, gold, and wealth, honoring the departed king in accordance with ancient custom.

Overcome by sorrow, Yudhishthira and his brothers, along with Bhishma and Vidura, followed the palanquin with heavy hearts. On a level ground near the Ganga’s forested bank, the palanquin bearing the relics of Pandu and Madri was gently set down.

The priests brought sanctified Ganga water in golden vessels and performed ritual ablutions of the remains with sacred chants. Once again, fragrant unguents were applied, and the relics were adorned with fine cloth. Placed upon the funeral pyre, they were anointed with ghee and covered with sandalwood, agaru, and other aromatic substances. According to tradition, the sons of Pandu ignited the pyre.

Witnessing her son Pandu’s funeral pyre blazing before her eyes, Queen Ambalika collapsed in a faint, overcome by unbearable grief. The entire atmosphere was steeped in sorrow as the kingdom bid a tearful farewell to their beloved emperor. Elders consoled the grieving Pandava princes.

For twelve days, the sons of Pandu and their relatives slept upon the bare ground, observing mourning rites. Many citizens followed their example, renouncing all comforts and pleasures, and offering their final respects to King Pandu. For those twelve days, the entire kingdom lay under the shadow of ritual impurity.

Afterward, Bhishma, Vidura, and Kunti, together with relatives and well-wishers, performed the śrāddha rites through the Pandava sons, offering piṇḍa-dāna to Pandu. On that day, the people and Brahmins were fed sumptuous meals, and generous gifts were bestowed. Upon completing all final rites, the Pandavas purified themselves and re-entered the city alongside the citizens.

Vyasa’s Prophecy and the Departure of the Elders

Amidst this succession of tragedies, Queen Satyavati, bewildered and grief-stricken, sat helplessly, unsure of the future. At that moment, Sage Vyasa addressed her: “Mother, the days of happiness have passed. Terrible times are approaching. The days to come will be sinful, and the youth of Mother Earth has faded.”

He continued: “Deception will spread everywhere. Righteous conduct will disappear. The coming age will be exceedingly dreadful. Due to the injustices committed by Duryodhana and others, many kings of the earth will perish. Therefore, O Mother, come with me now to the forest. Engage your mind in meditation and austerity. It is not fitting that your eyes should witness the horrific destruction of your own lineage.”

Accepting her son’s counsel, Satyavati resolved to enter vanaprastha. She spoke to her daughter-in-law Ambika: “Ambika, I have learned that due to the misdeeds of my grandsons, our lineage will face utter destruction. I do not wish to witness this calamity. Therefore, along with Ambalika, I intend to retire to the forest and spend the remainder of my life observing sacred vows. Grant me your permission.”

Ambika too expressed her desire to renounce palace life and accompany Satyavati and Ambalika into the forest.

Thus, with Bhishma’s consent, Satyavati departed for the forest with her two daughters-in-law. There, under the guidance of Sage Vyasa, they spent many years practicing vows, austerities, and meditation, ultimately attaining the higher worlds.