Hindu Religious Studies 73
It was the night of the full moon of the month of Kartika.
Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Bidur and Sanjay started their journey to
the forest. Kunti and the Pandavas followed them. Even the citizens
followed them crying. After coming out of the city Dhritarashtra
requested all to go back. At this all excepting Bidur, Sanjay and
Kunti went back. The Pandavas were stricken with grief to see Kunti
going to the forest.
After a few days Yudhishthira along with his brothers went to the
forest to see them. In the presence of Yudhishthira Bidur died while
meditating. Yudhishthira spent some time there and returned to
Hastinapura with his brothers.
Two years later Devarshi Narada came to Yudhishthira. He informed
that there was a big fire in the forest when Dhritarashtra, Gandhari,
Kunti and Sanjay were absorbed in meditaion. Dhritarashtra,
Gandhari and Kunti were burnt into ashes. Sanjay could however
escape it and later went to the Himalayas.
Hearing the news Yudhishthira burst into tears. There was wailing
everywhere in Hastinapura. Narada pacified them. They performed
the Sraddha rites in honour of Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti.
(16) Mausala-parva:
Thirty six years of Yudhishthira's reign was completed. Many strange
incidents took place. There was a sign of danger. But the danger was
more to the Jadavas than to the Pandavas. Krishna was born of the Jadu
dynasty. The people of this dynasty are known as Jadavas.
The danger occurred because of a little cause. One day Maharrshi
Viswamitra, Kannwa and Narada came to Dwaraka. Then some of