Even those born into noble families, the king reflected, may fall into misfortune through their own actions, especially when their minds are unprepared and ensnared by desire. He lamented, "My father, ever devoted to righteousness from his earliest days, came to the end of his life as a result of desire—so we have heard." In the field of that king, whose mind was overpowered by longing, the sage Krishna Dvaipayana, master of self-restraint, had directly begotten him. Now, in the midst of this calamity, Pandu confessed that his own mind had become base, abandoned by the gods, as he found himself chasing after a deer. He resolved, "I must seek liberation, for bondage is a great affliction. I will follow the excellent and imperishable conduct of my father." Determined, he declared, "I will engage in intense austerity: for one day each, I will dwell beneath each tree. "As a sage, shaven-headed, I will wander among these hermitages for alms, covered with dust, making my home in empty huts. I will dwell at the roots of trees, having abandoned all that is dear and not dear, neither grieving nor rejoicing, remaining equal in blame and self-praise. Without hope, without bowing to any, free from dualities and possessions, I will neither mock nor frown at anyone. "Always with a serene face, devoted to the welfare of all beings, I will not harm any creature—moving or unmoving, of all four kinds. I will be impartial among all living beings, as one is among one's own children. I will beg for alms at one time only, from ten or fifteen households. If alms are not available, I will go without food, eating little when little is obtained, and never seeking more before what I have is finished. "Even when lacking, if I desire, I will beg from up to seven more households, yet in gain or loss, I will remain even-minded. If one arm is being cut by a carpenter and the other is smeared with sandal paste, I will not consider either misfortune or good fortune. I will neither desire to live nor wish to die, holding no attachment to life nor aversion to death. "All actions undertaken for prosperity, I will abandon, remaining as steady as a blinking eye. Amidst these unstable conditions, giving up all actions of the senses, renouncing both righteousness and wealth, my soul will be thoroughly cleansed of all stain. Freed from all sins, having crossed beyond all snares, subject to no one, I will be like the wind in its own nature. "By living always in this way, following such a path, I will sustain my body, fearless. I will not follow a pitiable path, grieving over lost strength, nor stray from my duty, void of vigor. Whoever, honored or dishonored, seeks a livelihood with a mind attached to desire, looking at others with a dog's gaze, walks the path of dogs." Having spoken thus, deeply afflicted with sorrow and sighing heavily, the king looked upon Kunti and Madri and addressed them. He said, "Kausalya, Vidura the minister, the king with his relatives, the noble Satyavati, Bhishma, and the royal priests—along with the great-souled Brahmanas, the soma-drinkers firm in their vows, and the elders of the city who dwell under our protection—all must be respectfully informed that Pandu has departed for the forest." Hearing their husband's words, whose soul was set upon renunciation, Kunti and Madri replied in agreement, "There are other hermitages, O best of the Bharatas, where we may dwell. Let it be considered how we two, your lawful wives, might practice great austerity together with you. By attaining the great fruit of righteousness, even to the release of the body, you alone will be our lord, and there is no doubt, even in heaven. "Restraining our senses, devoted to our husband's world, abandoning all pleasures of desire, we two will perform great austerity. O wise king, if you abandon us, then today itself we both shall give up our lives—of this there is no doubt. If this is indeed your firm resolve, in accordance with righteousness, then we shall follow the same path as our father, unwavering. "Renouncing the pleasures and foods of the world, enduring great austerity, clad in bark, living on fruits and roots, we shall dwell in the great forest. Offering oblations into the fire at the proper times, performing ablutions as required, emaciated, eating little, wearing worn garments of bark and skin, and with matted hair, we will persist. Enduring cold, wind, and heat, disregarding hunger and thirst, we will waste away our bodies through severe austerity. "Living in solitude, reflecting, subsisting on ripe and unripe forest fare, we shall satisfy the ancestors and gods with words and water from the forest. Even for the forest-dwellers, we shall do nothing disagreeable—how much more so for those living in the village. Thus, desiring the most rigorous of forest disciplines, we shall undertake it until the end of this body." Having spoken thus to his wives, the king, descendant of Kuru, removed his crest-jewel, gold necklace, armlets, and earrings. He gave away costly garments, women's ornaments, principal vehicles, weapons, and armor. He distributed golden vessels, divine couches and bedding, jewels of every kind—gems, pearls, and corals. Having given everything to the Brahmins, Pandu spoke to his attendants: "Go to Nagapura and announce: Pandu has departed to the forest, renouncing wealth, pleasure, comfort, and even the highest personal delight.