As the auspicious moment unfolded, the air was filled with sacred chants. Great sages intoned their hymns from every direction, their voices blending with the celestial melodies of the Gandharvas. Among them, the illustrious Tumburu began to sing, his music uplifting all present. One by one, the divine beings gathered. Bhīmasena, Ugrasena, Ūrṇāyura, the sinless Anagha, Gopati, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Sūryavarcās as the eighth appeared. Then came Tṛṇapa, Kārṣṇi, Nandi, Citraratha, Śāliśiras as the thirteenth, and Parjanya as the fourteenth, all arriving together. Kali was the fifteenth, followed by the sage Nārada as the sixteenth. Ṛtvā, Bṛhattvā, Bṛhaka, Karāla, and the great-minded Mahāmanas joined them. The celibate Bahuguṇa, renowned Suvarṇa, Viśvāvasu, Bhumanyu, Sucandra, and Śaru were also present. Gifted with the sweetness of song, the famed Gandharvas Hahā and Huhū arrived, their voices echoing through the heavens. The delighted Apsarases, adorned in every ornament, danced joyfully. Their wide eyes sparkled as they sang, their beauty and grace enchanting all. Among these Apsarases were the learned and flawless Adrikā, Somā, Miśrakeśī, and Alambuṣā; also Marīci, Śucikā, Vidyutparṇā, Tilottamā, Ambikā, Lakṣaṇā, Kṣemā, Devī, Rambhā, and Manoramā. Asitā, Subāhu, Supriyā, Vapu, Puṇḍarīkā, Sugandhā, Surasā, and Pramāthinī joined them. Kāmyā and Śāradvatī, along with Menakā, Sahajanyā, Karṇikā, and Puñjikasthalā, all danced in harmonious groups. Ṛtusthalā, Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī, Pūrvacitti, and the renowned Umloce and Pramloce were there as well, making ten. Urvaśī, the eleventh among them, sang with her wide eyes shining. The gods Dhātā, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aṃśa, and Bhaga were present, followed by Indra, Vivasvān, Pūṣā, Parjanya, Tvaṣṭā, and Viṣṇu—the youngest and last-born. Thus, the twelve blazing Ādityas, radiant as the sun, stood together. Mṛgavyādha, Sarpa, the famed Nirṛti, Ajaikapāda, Ahirbudhnya, and Pinākī were there as well. Dahana, Īśvara, Kapālī, Sthāṇu, Bhaga, and the blessed Rudras stood in their glory. The two Aśvins, the eight Vasus, the mighty Maruts, the Viśvedevas, and the Sādhyas surrounded the gathering. Among the serpents, Karkoṭaka, Vāsuki, Kacchapa, Kuṇḍa, and Takṣaka, the great serpent, arrived, endowed with ascetic power, great wrath, and immense strength. Many other Nāgas assembled alongside them. Tārkṣya, Ariṣṭanemi, Garuḍa with his dark banner, Aruṇa, Āruṇi, and the sons of Vinatā were present as well. All these hosts of gods, perfected in asceticism, and the great sages observed this wondrous assembly from their mountain palaces, though others could not witness it. Astonished by this great marvel, the foremost sages increased their attention toward Pāṇḍu. With a heart full of joy, Pāṇḍu worshipped the gods and all the assembled beings. Pleased by his reverence, the gods addressed him, the foremost of men. They said, “This Dharma has appeared through the favor of the gods. Mātariśvā is Bhīma, strong and a crusher of enemies. Indra himself was born directly by the grace of Śatakratu. Among the gods, none is more blessed in fatherhood than you. Freed from the debt to your ancestors, you shall attain heaven and share in merit.” Having spoken thus, the deities departed as they had come. Yet Pandu, renowned among men, felt a longing for more sons. With this desire, he again addressed Kunti, wishing for her favor. But Kunti replied, “It is said that no woman should have a fourth birth; after that, she is considered wanton, and with a fifth, she would be called a courtesan. You, learned in dharma, know this rule—how can you ask me to seek offspring beyond what is proper?” In time, when Kunti’s sons and the sons of Dhritarashtra had been born, Madri, the daughter of the king of Madra, spoke privately to Pandu. “O subduer of foes, even if you lack virtues, I have no grief because of you; though I am worthy of a better husband, I have never wavered, O sinless one. Even when I heard that Gandhari, the queen, had borne a hundred sons, I did not feel such sorrow. But this great grief is mine—my childlessness amidst equals. Yet by fortune, my husband has progeny through Kunti. If Kunti, the royal daughter, would grant me offspring, it would be a favor to me and for your benefit as well. Because of rivalry between co-wives, it is difficult for me to speak to Kunti’s son, but if you are pleased with me, urge her yourself.” Pandu replied, “This wish, O Madri, has always turned in my heart as well. But I could not bring myself to speak to you, whether for good or ill. Yet, considering your words, I will now make the effort. I think, surely, if I speak, she will accept my words.” Then Pandu again spoke privately to Kunti, “O blessed one, favor also the daughter of the king of Madra. For the sake of our lineage, for the world’s welfare, and for my own deliverance from the loss of ancestral offerings, for the sake of the great souls before me, and for my happiness, O blessed one, do this supreme good.