Steadfast in the ways of the virtuous, Pandu had been blessed with sons. But on the seventeenth day, his time in this world came to an end, and he departed for the realm of the ancestors. As word spread that Pandu had entered the funeral fire, offered into the mouth of Vaishvanara, Madri—his devoted wife—resolved to follow him. With unwavering love, she entered the flames, surrendering her own life, so that she might accompany her husband to his world. It was decreed that the proper rites should be performed for both of them, as was fitting. In the midst of this sorrow, the elders declared that Kunti, now seeking refuge, and the illustrious sons of Pandu must be honored with due respect, for this is the eternal law. There lay the bodies of Pandu and Madri, and here were their sons—noble scions of their line. Together with their mother, these scorcher of foes were to be honored according to the proper rites. When the funeral ceremonies were complete, Pandu, the illustrious knower of dharma and foremost among the Kurus, should receive the ancestral offerings. Having thus spoken to the gathered Kurus, the assembly of ascetics and the mysterious Guhyakas, who had appeared before them like a celestial city of Gandharvas, vanished in an instant, leaving all present in awe and wonder at their sudden disappearance. Vidura was then instructed, “O Vidura, perform all the funeral rites for Pandu, that lion among kings, as befits a king, and do so especially for Madri. Distribute Pandu and Madri’s cattle, garments, jewels, and treasures to all who desire them, in whatever measure they wish. As Kunti should be honored, so too must Madri be revered and protected—so well guarded that not even the wind or sun may see her. Pandu, sinless and praiseworthy among men, is not to be mourned, for he leaves behind five heroic sons, equal to the sons of the gods.” Vidura replied, “So be it,” and, together with Bhishma, performed Pandu’s funeral rites in a place of great honor. From the city, priests quickly brought forth blazing funeral fires, fragrant with clarified butter, for Pandu. The bier was adorned with spring flowers and sweet-smelling substances, then covered entirely with fine cloth. Thus prepared, and decorated with garlands, splendid garments, and great wealth, ministers, kinsmen, and friends gathered around him. Pandu, the lion among men, richly adorned, was placed upon a splendid vehicle drawn by men, together with Madri, well covered. A white parasol and yak-tail fan were held above him, and the air was filled with the sounds of all musical instruments, honoring him in his final journey. Men brought forth hundreds of jewels and distributed them freely to all who desired, as offerings for Pandu’s funeral. To honor the Kaurava king, they brought pure white umbrellas, large yak-tail fans, and beautiful garments. The sacrificial fires, invoked by priests clad in white, led the procession, blazing brightly. Thousands of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, all stricken with grief, followed the king, weeping bitterly, lamenting, “Having abandoned us and left us in perpetual sorrow, making us orphans, where will the king go now?” The Pandavas, Bhishma, Vidura, Bahlika, Somadatta, and King Bhurishrava all cried aloud, overcome with grief. Embracing one another, thousands proceeded together to the beautiful, level, and auspicious bank of the Ganga, in a delightful forest region. There, the truthful ones placed the palanquin of the lion-like king Pandu, whose deeds were unblemished, together with his wife. His body was perfumed with all manner of fragrances, anointed with pure kalika oil, and rubbed with divine sandalwood. They sprinkled him with water from golden vessels and covered him with white sandal paste. With a mixture of black aloe and fragrant tung resin, they dressed him in local white garments. Thus arrayed, the king shone as if still alive, resembling a young tiger accustomed to a luxurious bed. All the priests and officiants, along with the purohitas, performed the rites prescribed by the Vedas for the horse-sacrifice fire, chanting the sacred mantras. When the funeral rites were completed with the priests’ approval, the king, adorned and together with Madri, was anointed with clarified butter. They set the pyre with fragrant sandalwood, tall lotus, sarala pine, deodar, guggul resin, and lac, along with green sandalwood, haribera, usira roots, and many other aromatic substances, burning them according to the sacred rite. As the two bodies lay there, Kausalya, overcome by grief and delusion, suddenly fell to the ground, crying out, “Alas, my son!” Seeing her collapse, the townspeople and countryfolk, moved by their devotion to the king and their compassion, wept in sorrow. At Kunti’s anguished cry, all beings—humans and even animals—wailed in sympathy. Bhishma, son of Shantanu, wise Vidura, and all the Kauravas mourned deeply, their hearts heavy with sorrow. Then Bhishma, Vidura, the king, the Pandavas, and all the women of the Kuru clan performed the water-rite for Pandu. The Pandavas, Bhishma, Vidura, and all their kinsmen wept as they too performed the water-rites, honoring the memory of Pandu and Madri in accordance with sacred tradition.