Dhritarashtra retires to forest

Homage to the deceased

Vidura approached Yudhishthira for the necessary arrangements for the Sraddha (ritual for the deceased) for those Kauravas who were killed in the war, on behalf of Dhritarashtra. The Pandava king was only too pleased to do everything possible. But, Bhima was against spending money out of the treasury to honour the arch enemies of the Pandavas. He said. “We shall perform ourselves all the ceremonies for Bhishma, Drona and all others to whom we owe Sraddha. We shall also do that for Karna, but, not for Duryodhana and his brothers not even to please our uncle. What did he do to help us when we suffered in the forests?”

Arjuna tried to talk reason with his elder brother, but without success. Then, Yudhishthira thought of a way out. He said to Vidura. “Please inform our uncle that all will be done as he wishes. I do not have to use public funds for the purpose. The entire wealth privately owned by me and Arjuna are at the disposal of our uncle which will suffice. Please convey this message to him in such a way that this special arrangement does not hurt his feelings”.

Vidura tactfully conveyed the message from the Pandavas to the blind king without upsetting him. Dhritarashtra understood the meaning, but, did not mind the stance taken by Bhima.

Well ahead of the day chosen for the start of ceremony, gift articles like cloths, pots and pans, cattle and even houses and precious jewels were stored in abundance in the palace of Dhritarashtra. The day for the ceremony was announced in all nook and corner of the vast Kuru empire. Brahmins and others, invited and otherwise, came in large numbers on the day to receive gifts (daanam). Dhritarashtra gave away gifts lasting ten days on behalf of each of his sons and all other Kauravas who were killed in the war. The king was satisfied that he paid the dues to the deceased. And, so were all who went away with gifts.

The journey of Dhritarashtra

On the day chosen for the journey Dhritarashtra called the Pandavas to his side. He, then got Vedic scholars to perform sacrificial rituals (agnihotra) for him. The king worshipped (pooja) his palace with flowers and rice flakes (laaja) by way of bidding farewell to his residence where he spent all his long years. He also rewarded through generous gifts all those who served him until that day.

Both Dhritarashtra and Gandhari had changed into cloths made of animal skin (ajinam) and bark of trees (valkalam). The king placed one hand on the shoulders of his devoted wife, the pious Gandhari, for support. Then keeping the sacrificial (agnihotra) fire in front the king set out on his last journey out of his palace.

Vidura and Sanjaya followed their king dutifully. Yudhishthira walked right behind with folded hands and choking throat. The other Pandavas followed him. Kunti and other Pandava queens walked beside Gandhari. A large crowd from different parts of the land joined the procession as the king moved along.

The royal arcade through which the procession moved was thronged on the two sides by citizens of the land, anxious to have a last glimpse of their departing king. Dhritarashtra moved with folded hands, trembling from exhaustion, emotion and old age.

A shocking move

The time came for bidding farewell. Dhritarashtra turned around and pleaded with all to return to their respective places. Vidura and Sanjaya expressed their desire to remain with their king in the forest. Dhritarashtra persuaded others, including Kripa to return.

Yudhishthira spoke to Kunti. “Mother, please return to your palace with my brothers. I shall follow my uncle a little longer into the forest.” But, instead of making a reply, Kunti continued to walk with her eyes filled with tears and holding the hands of Gandhari.

Then, she spoke to Yudhishthira. “Son, take good care of Sahadeva. Think always of your departed elder brother, Karna. It was entirely because of my fault that he had to sacrifice his life in the war. Look after your dear queen, Draupadi. It is time for me to take leave of you all. Let me spend the rest of my life serving the aged king and his queen in the forest”.

Yudhishthira in anguish

The Pandava king was shocked to hear the words of his mother. He tried to reason with her. “Mother, please do not speak like this and do not think of leaving us. If this was your plan, why did you give us inspiration to fight the war? Did you not also persuade Krishna not to seek futile peace with the Kauravas? Why are you now leaving the land we have fought and won for you?”

Bhima also pleaded with his mother. “Why are you leaving us behind and going to the forest after you brought us back from there? Be pleased with us and enjoy the kingdom we have so painstakingly fought and won.”

Kunti’s words

The mother of Pandavas replied to those words of her sons. “True, that it was I who asked you to fight like kings. It was when you lost everything in the game of dice and were humiliated in front of your own people that I stirred you up. Again, I inspired you to act, thinking that the sons of Pandu should not perish, exiled by their own cousins. I provoked you, my eldest son, who is like Dharma personified, to stand up to your rights thinking that you would not have to go to the forests, again. I stirred you up, Bhima, who has the strength of thousands of elephants to fight so that you do not suffer any more. I asked you all to go for war thinking that Arjuna, who is like Indra, should be rightly remembered as a hero. I asked all of you to face your enemies thinking that Nakula and Sahadeva should not face hunger any more. I also made you to act to prevent further humiliation to your noble queen, the princess of Panchala. You have done the right thing by fighting and winning the war. But, I do not want to enjoy the land won over by my sons, because that is for you to enjoy. What I want to now is to go into meditation in the forests and, at the same time, take care of my in-laws.”

There was nothing that the Pandavas could speak in reply to those determined words of their mother. Though both Dhritarashtra and Gandhari also tried to persuade Kunti to return to Hastinapura, the mother of Pandavas remained firm. All looked towards to Kunti with pleading eyes, but, had to return to Hastinapura, though with heavy hearts.