The Mahabharata by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa.
Book 1, Adi Parva, Section 125th.
Sambhava Parva continued.
"Vaisampayana said, "Beholding his five handsome
sons growing up before him in that great forest
on the charming mountain slope, Pandu felt
the last might of his arms revive once more.
One day in the season of spring which maddens
every creature the king accompanied by his
wife (Madri), began to rove in the woods where
every tree had put forth new blossoms.
He beheld all around Palasas and Tilakas and
Mangoes and Champakas and Parihadrakas and
Karnikaras, Asokas and Kesaras and Atimuktas
and Kuruvakas with swarms of maddened bees
sweetly humming about.
And there were flowers of blossoming Parijatas
with the Kokilas pouring forth their melodies
from under every twig echoing with the sweet
hums of the black bees.
And he beheld also various other kinds of
trees bent down with the weight of their flowers
and fruits.
And there were also many fine pools of water
overgrown with hundreds of fragrant lotuses.
Beholding all these, Pandu felt the soft influence
of desire.
Roving like a celestial with a light heart
amidst such scenery, Pandu was alone with
his wife Madri in semi-transparent attire.
And beholding the youthful Madri thus attired,
the king's desire flamed up like a forest-fire.
And ill-able to suppress his desire thus kindled
at the sight of his wife of eyes like lotus-petals,
he was completely overpowered.
The king then seized her against her will,
but Madri trembling in fear resisted him to
the best of her might.
Consumed by desire, he forgot everything about
his misfortune.
And, O thou of Kuru's race unrestrained by
the fear of (the Rishi's) curse and impelled
by fate, the monarch, overpowered by passion,
forcibly sought the embraces of Madri, as
if he wished to put an end to his own life.
His reason, thus beguiled by the great Destroyer
himself by intoxicating his senses, was itself
lost with his life.
And the Kuru king Pandu, of virtuous soul,
thus succumbed to the inevitable influence
of Time, while united in intercourse with
his wife.
"Then Madri, clasping the body of her senseless
lord, began to weep aloud.
And Kunti with her sons and the twins of Madri,
hearing those cries of grief, came to the
spot where the king lay in that state.
Then, O king, Madri addressing Kunti in a
piteous voice, said, 'Come hither alone, O
Kunti, and let the children stay there.'
Hearing these words, Kunti, bidding the children
stay, ran with speed, exclaiming, 'Woe to
me!'
And beholding both Pandu and Madri lying prostrate
on the ground she went in grief and affliction,
saying, 'Of passions under complete control,
this hero, O Madri, had all along been watched
by me with care.
How did he then forgetting the Rishi's curse,
approach thee with enkindled desire?
O Madri, this foremost of men should have
been protected by thee.
Why didst thou tempt him into solitude?
Always melancholy at the thought of the Rishi's
curse, how came he to be merry with thee in
solitude?
O princess of Valhika, more fortunate than
myself, thou art really to be envied, for
thou hast seen the face of our lord suffused
with gladness and joy.'
"Madri then replied, saying, 'Revered sister,
with tears in my eyes, I resisted the king,
but he could not control himself, bent on,
as it were making the Rishi's curse true.'
"Kunti then said, 'I am the older of his wedded
wives; the chief religious merit must be mine.
Therefore, O Madri, prevent me not from achieving
that which must be achieved.
I must follow our lord to the region of the
dead.
Rise up, O Madri, and yield me his body.
Rear thou these children.'
Madri replied, saying, 'I do clasp our lord
yet, and have not allowed him to depart; therefore,
I shall follow him.
My appetite hath not been appeased.
Thou art my older sister, O let me have thy
sanction.
This foremost one of the Bharata princes had
approached me, desiring to have intercourse.
His appetite unsatiated, shall I not follow
him in the region of Yama to gratify him?
O revered one, if I survive thee, it is certain
I shall not be able to rear thy children as
if they were mine.
Will not sin touch me on that account?
But, thou, O Kunti, shall be able to bring
my sons up as if they were thine.
The king, in seeking me wishfully, hath gone
to the region of spirits; therefore, my body
should be burnt with his.
O revered sister, withhold not thy sanction
to this which is agreeable to me.
Thou wilt certainly bring up the children
carefully.
That indeed, would be very agreeable to me.
I have no other direction to give!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this,
the daughter of the king of Madras, the wedded
wife of Pandu, ascended the funeral pyre of
her lord, that bull among men.'" ...
