भर्त्रा तु मरणं सार्धं फलवन्नात्र संशयः। युवाभ्यां दुष्करं चैतद्वदन्ति द्विजपुङ्गवाः
There is no doubt that dying together with one's husband bears fruit; yet, O youths, the foremost of twice-born say this is difficult to accomplish.
मृते भर्तरि साध्वी स्त्री ब्रह्मचर्यव्रते स्थिता। यमैश्च नियमैः पूता मनोवाक्कायजैः शुभा
A virtuous woman, after her husband's death, who remains steadfast in the vow of chastity, purified by self-restraint and discipline, and by pure thought, word, and deed—she is auspicious.
भर्तारं चिन्तयन्ती सा भर्तारं निस्तरेच्छुभा। तारितश्चापि भर्ता स्यादात्मा पुत्रस्तथैव च
Thinking of her husband, that auspicious woman can deliver her husband; and the husband, as well as herself and her son, would be saved.
तस्माञ्जीवितमेवैतद्युवयोर्विद्म शोभनम्
Therefore, we consider it best for you both to continue living.
यथा पाण्डोस्तु निर्देशस्तथा विप्रगणस्य च। आज्ञा शिरसि निक्षिप्ता करिष्यामि च तत्तथा
As is the command of Pandu and likewise of the assembly of Brahmins, that order has been placed upon my head, and I shall act accordingly.
यदाद्दुर्भगवन्तोऽपि तन्मन्ये शोभनं परम्। भर्तुश्च मम पुत्राणामात्मनश्च न संशयः
Even when misfortune befalls, I believe this is truly best—for my husband, for my sons, and for myself—there is no doubt.
कुन्ती समर्था पुत्राणां योगक्षेमस्य धारणे। अस्या हि न समा बुद्ध्या यद्यपि स्यादरुन्धती
Kunti is capable of maintaining the welfare and security of her sons; in wisdom, there is none equal to her, not even Arundhati.
कुन्त्याश्च वृष्णयो नाथाः कुन्तिभोजस्तथैव च। नाहं त्वमिव पुत्राणां समर्था धारणे तथा
The Vrishnis and Kuntibhoja are protectors of Kunti; but I am not, like you, able to care for the children in the same way.
साऽहं भर्तारमन्विष्ये संतृप्ता नापि भोगतः। भर्तृलोकस्य तु ज्येष्ठा देवी मामनुमन्यताम्
I, who have not been satisfied with enjoyment, will follow my husband; let the chief queen of the world of husbands grant me permission.
धर्मज्ञस्य कृतज्ञस्य सत्यसन्धस्य धीमतः। पादौ परिचरिष्यामि तथार्याऽद्यानुमन्यताम्
I shall serve at the feet of the righteous, grateful, truthful, and wise one; let the noble lady grant me leave today.
एवमुक्त्वा तदा राजन्मद्रराजसुता शुभा। ददौ कुन्त्यै यमौ माद्री शिरसाऽभिप्रणम्य च
Having spoken thus, O King, the auspicious daughter of the Madra king, Madri, bowed her head to Kunti and entrusted the twins to her.
अभिवाद्य महर्षीन्सा परिष्वज्य च पाण्डवान्। मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय बहुशः पार्थानात्मसुतौ तदा
She saluted the great sages, embraced the Pandavas, and repeatedly kissed her two sons on the head.
हस्ते युधिष्ठिरं गृह्य माद्री वाक्यमभाषत। कुन्ती माता अहं धात्री युष्माकं तु पिता मृतः
Taking Yudhishthira by the hand, Madri spoke these words: 'Kunti is your mother, I am your nurse, and your father is dead.'
युधिष्ठिरः पिता ज्येष्ठश्चतुर्णां धर्मतः सदा। वृद्धाद्युपासनासक्ताः सत्यधर्मपरायणाः
Yudhishthira is the eldest and, by righteousness, always the father among the four; be devoted to serving elders, and steadfast in truth and virtue.
तादृशा न विनश्यन्ति नैव यान्ति पराभवम्। तस्मात्सर्वे कुरुध्वं वै गुरुवृत्तिमतन्द्रिताः
Such ones do not perish nor meet with defeat; therefore, all of you should diligently fulfill your duties to your elders.
ऋषीणां च पृथायाश्च नमस्कृत्य पुनःपुनः। आयासकृपणा माद्री प्रत्युवाच पृथां तदा
Having repeatedly bowed to the sages and to Pritha, sorrowful Madri then addressed Pritha.
ऋषीणां संनिधावेषां यथा वागभ्युदीरिता। दिदृक्षमाणायाः स्वर्गं न ममैषा वृथा भवेत्
In the presence of these sages, as these words have been spoken, let my desire to see heaven not be in vain.
धन्या त्वमसि वार्ष्णेयि नास्ति स्त्री सदृशी त्वया। वीर्यं तेजश्च योगं च माहात्म्यं च यशस्विनाम्
Blessed are you, O daughter of the Vrishni, there is no woman equal to you; your strength, brilliance, discipline, greatness, and the glory of the illustrious are unmatched.
कुन्ति द्रक्ष्यसि पुत्राणां पञ्चानाममितौजसाम्। आर्या चाप्यभिवाद्या च मम पूज्या च सर्वतः
Kunti, you will see your five sons of immeasurable might; and the noble lady, honored and revered by me in every way.
ज्येष्ठा वरिष्ठा त्वं देवि भूषिता स्वगुणैः शुभैः। अभ्यनुज्ञातुमिच्छामि त्वया यावनन्दिनि
You are the eldest and most distinguished, O goddess, adorned with your own auspicious virtues; I wish to receive your permission, O joyful one.
धर्मं स्वर्गं च कीर्तिं च त्वत्कृतेऽहमवाप्नुयाम्। यथा तथा विधत्स्वेह मा च कार्षीर्विचारणां
May I attain righteousness, heaven, and fame because of you; do as you see fit here, and do not hesitate.
बाष्पसंदिग्धया वाचा कुन्त्युवाच यशस्विनी। अनुज्ञाताऽसि कल्याणि त्रिदिवे सङ्गमोऽस्तु ते
With a voice choked by tears, illustrious Kunti said: 'You are permitted, blessed one; may your union be in heaven.'
भर्त्रा सह विशालिक्षि क्षिप्रमद्यैव भामिनि। संगतास्वर्गलोके त्वं रमेथाः शाश्वतीः समाः
With your husband, O wide-eyed and beautiful one, may you quickly today be united in the world of the gods and enjoy eternal years.
ततः पुरोहितः स्नात्वा प्रेतकर्मणि पारगः। हिरण्यशकलानाज्यं तिलं दधि च तण्डुलान्
Then the priest, having bathed and accomplished in funeral rites, brought gold pieces, clarified butter, sesame seeds, curds, and rice grains.
उदकुम्भांश्च परशुं समानीय तपस्विभिः। अश्वमेधाग्निमाहृत्य यथान्यायं समन्ततः
He also brought water pots and an axe, together with ascetics; and, having brought the sacrificial fire as prescribed, arranged everything properly.
काश्यपः कारयामास पाण्डोः प्रेतस्य तां क्रियाम्। पुरोहितोक्तविधिना पाण्डोः पुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
Kashyapa performed the funeral rites for the deceased Pandu; Yudhishthira, son of Pandu, did so according to the instructions of the priest.
तेनाग्निनाऽदहत्पाण्डुं कृत्वा चापि क्रियास्तदा। रुदञ्छोकाभिसंतप्तः पपात भुवि पाण्डवः
With that fire, he burned Pandu and performed the rites; then, overwhelmed by grief and weeping, the son of Pandu fell to the ground.
ऋषीन्पुत्रान्पृथां चैव विसृज्य च नृपात्मज।' नमस्कृत्य चिताग्निस्थं धर्मपत्नी नरर्षभम्
Having taken leave of the sages, the sons, and Pritha, the prince bowed to the bull among men, his lawful wife, who was on the funeral pyre.
मद्रराजसुता तूर्णमन्वारोहद्यशस्विनी
The illustrious daughter of the king of Madra quickly mounted after him.
अहताम्बरसंवीतो भ्रातृभिः सहितोऽनघः। उदकं कृतवांस्तत्र पुरोहितमते स्थितः
Clad in untorn garments, pure, together with his brothers, he performed the water-rite there, following the priest's instructions.