By the grace of their teacher, the sons of Pandu became masters of martial arts. Bhima excelled in the use of the mace, while Yudhishthira gained proficiency with the spear. The two sons of Madri, renowned for their valor, became skilled in sword and shield. Arjuna, called Savyasachi and the scorcher of foes, reached the very pinnacle of archery. Shukra, having permitted it and declaring, "He is my equal," granted the king the spear, sword, and arrows. The best among the self-controlled then gifted him a radiant bow as tall as a palm tree, along with arrows, razors, and iron shafts adorned with vulture feathers. Filled with joy, he presented Partha with weapons shining like mighty serpents. Having obtained all these divine weapons, the son of Vasava, Arjuna, was deeply delighted. In his heart, he felt that all the kings of the earth were no match for his own energy and prowess. Thus, with a year between each, the Parthas and the sons of Madri, destroyers of their enemies, trained and advanced one after another. The five brothers, together with the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra—the enhancers of the Kuru line—grew swiftly, like lotuses flourishing in water. You may wonder, at what age did the Pandavas arrive at Hastinapura, and what was their destined lifespan as ordained by the gods? Hear now of their years: Yudhishthira entered Hastinapura at sixteen years of age. Bhimasena was fifteen, Arjuna was fourteen, and the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, were thirteen when they came to the city. There, they dwelt alongside the sons of Dhritarashtra for thirteen years. After six months spent in the house of lac, Ghatotkacha was born to Bhima. They stayed six months in Ekachakra, and a year in the house of a Panchala. After living with the sons of Dhritarashtra for five years, they made their home in Indraprastha for twenty-three years. Then, having been defeated at dice, they spent twelve years in exile and one additional year in concealment. Having enjoyed the earth bounded by the sea for thirty-six years, all those great souls, devoted to Krishna, in six more months—after establishing Parikshit in the kingdom—attained their destined path. Thus, Yudhishthira's life spanned one hundred and eight years. Keshava, Krishna, was older than Arjuna by three months, and Sankarshana, Balarama, was older than Krishna by three months. Pandu, the fifth and most radiant among his line, rejoiced greatly with his two wives, accompanied by the sage Kashyapa, as he beheld his sons on the mountain. When the forest burst into bloom during the springtime of Madhu and Mādhava, and the fourteenth year of the wise Pandu's exile was complete, it was on the very same lunar mansion—Uttaraphalgunī—in which Partha, Arjuna, had been born, that an auspicious ceremony took place. On that day, Kunti, absorbed in serving food to the brahmanas along with the family priest, neglected her customary vigilance. At that time, Pandu, relying on his own strength, gazed upon his five handsome sons in the beautiful mountain forest. Once, during the blossoming season of Madhu and Mādhava, the king wandered the forest with his wife in a place that enchanted all beings. The forest was adorned with palāśa, tilaka, mango, campaka, pāribhadra, and many other trees, all abundant with fruit and flowers. Pools and blooming lotuses embellished the land, and the sight of this forest stirred love in Pandu's heart. As he wandered joyfully, like a god, Mādrī accompanied him alone, dressed in beautiful garments. Seeing her, youthful and lightly clad, desire was kindled in Pandu's heart, as fire is suddenly sparked. Alone with her in that secluded place, the king—his eyes like lotuses—was overcome by passion and could not restrain himself. In the eighteenth year, during the proper season, Pandu, his mind seized by desire, summoned the illustrious Mādrī, adorned for union. There, in that lonely spot, the king seized her by force, though Mādrī struggled and resisted as best she could. Overcome by longing, Pandu forgot the curse that had been laid upon him, and united with Mādrī as if compelled by fate. Swayed by passion and disregarding fear, he moved helplessly toward the end of his life, his mind and senses overpowered. Thus, Pandu, the most righteous, united with Mādrī and was seized by the law of time. Mādrī, embracing her husband whose life had departed, cried out again and again in deep sorrow. Soon, Kunti, together with her sons and the two sons of Mādrī, came to where the king lay lifeless. In her distress, Mādrī spoke to Kunti, saying, "You alone should go from here; let the children remain here." Hearing these words, Kunti left the children there, cried out, "I am lost!" and departed suddenly. Seeing Pandu and Mādrī lying lifeless on the ground, Kunti, her body seized by grief, lamented in sorrow, "Though I always protected you, O steadfast hero, how did you, knowing the curse, transgress it, dwelling in the forest?