King Pandu, ever impartial toward all living beings as a loving father is toward his own children, lived a life of strict discipline. Each day, he would beg for alms only once, visiting ten or fifteen households. If no alms were given, he would simply go without food; when little was obtained, he ate little, never seeking more before finishing what he had already received. Even in times of want, driven by necessity, he might beg from up to seven more households, yet whether he gained much or little, the great ascetic remained ever even-minded. So steadfast was Pandu that, if one arm were being cut by a carpenter and the other anointed with sandal paste, he would consider neither misfortune nor good fortune—accepting both equally. He neither clung to life nor wished for death, acting without desire for either. All actions meant to bring prosperity in worldly life he abandoned completely, remaining as steady as the blink of an eye. Amidst such unstable conditions, he gave up all actions of the senses, renounced both righteousness and wealth, and purified his soul of every stain. Freed from all sin, having passed beyond every snare, Pandu was no longer under anyone’s control, like the wind moving in its own nature. “By living always in this way,” he resolved, “following such a path, I will sustain my body, fearless, having set out upon this way. I will not choose a pitiable path, lamenting the loss of my own strength, nor will I stray from my duty, lacking in vigor. Whoever, honored or dishonored, seeks a livelihood with a mind bound by desire, looking upon others with a dog’s gaze, walks the path of dogs.” Having spoken thus, weighed down by sorrow and sighing deeply, Pandu turned to Kunti and Madri and addressed them. “Kausalya, Vidura the wise minister, the king and all his relatives, the noble Satyavati, Bhishma, the royal priests, and the great-souled Brahmanas—those who drink soma and keep firm vows—as well as the elders of the city who dwell under our protection, must all be respectfully informed that Pandu has departed to the forest.” Hearing the words of her husband, whose heart was set on renunciation, Kunti, together with Madri, spoke in agreement: “There are other hermitages, O best of the Bharatas, where we may dwell. Let us consider how we, your lawful wives, might practice great austerity alongside you. By attaining the great fruit of righteousness, even unto death, you alone will be our lord—of this there is no doubt, even in heaven. Restraining our senses, devoted to your 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 truly your firm resolve, in accordance with righteousness,” replied Pandu, “then I shall follow the path of my father, unwavering. Renouncing the pleasures and foods of the world, enduring great austerity, clad in bark, living on fruits and roots, I shall dwell in the great forest. Offering oblations into the fire at the proper times, performing ablutions as prescribed, emaciated, eating little, wearing garments of bark and skin, with matted hair, enduring cold, wind, and heat, disregarding hunger and thirst, I will wear away this body through severe austerity. Living in solitude and reflection, subsisting on ripe and unripe forest fare, I shall satisfy the ancestors and gods with words and water from the forest. Even among the forest-dwellers, I will do nothing disagreeable—how much more so for the people of the village. Thus, desiring the most rigorous of forest disciplines, I 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, and every kind of jewel—gems, pearls, and corals. Having given everything to the Brahmanas, 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.” Then, having renounced all, the son of Kuru set out with his wives, and his attendants followed after him. Hearing the king’s sorrowful words, spoken according to custom, the attendants wailed in distress, crying, “Alas!” Shedding hot tears, they left behind their great king and quickly went to Nagapura, taking all the wealth. Arriving at the city, they reported to the king all that had happened to the great-souled one and delivered all the treasures. Hearing from them all that had transpired in the great forest, Dhritarashtra, best of men, grieved only for Pandu. He found no pleasure in beds, seats, or enjoyments, overwhelmed by grief for his brother, his mind dwelling only on that matter. Meanwhile, Pandu, subsisting on roots and fruits, journeyed with his wives to the mountain of a hundred peaks. He reached Citraratha, passed beyond Kalakuta, crossed over Himavat, and proceeded to Gandhamadana. Protected by great beings, perfected ones, and eminent sages, he dwelled in both level and rugged places. Arriving at Indradyumna Lake and passing beyond Hamsakuta, at Shata-shringa, the ascetic king performed severe austerities.