Madri Laments and Chooses Sati, Entrusting Her Sons to Kunti
With Pandu dead by the curse, Madri calls Kunti to the scene. She explains she could not resist him and that his death was his destiny. Then she persuades Kunti to let her perform sati, arguing she cannot raise all the children equally and entrusting her sons to Kunti's care.
Madri embraced the senseless king in her arms and began to lament loudly. Kunti and the Pandava children — her sons and Madri's sons — came to the place where the king was lying.
Madri called out, "Come here alone and leave the children there."
Kunti told the children to stay back. Coming closer, she saw both Pandu and Madri on the ground and screamed, "I am dead." Her body was overcome with grief. "This hero always protected me by controlling himself," she cried. "You knew about the hermit's curse. Why did you transgress it? O Madri! You should have protected this king. Instead, why did you tempt him in this lonely place? Knowing and thinking about the curse, he was always miserable. How did he find pleasure when he was alone with you? O daughter of Bahlika! You are more fortunate than I. You have seen the lord of the earth's face when he was happy."
Madri replied, "It was I who got tempted. I tried to resist him repeatedly, but could not stay away. It was as if he was intent on making his destiny true."
Kunti said, "By law, I am the eldest of the two wives. The fruits of dharma accrue to me. O Madri! Therefore, do not try to restrain me from what must be done. I will accompany my husband who has gone to the land of the dead. Arise and let him go. Take care of the children."
Madri's answer was different. "I am still embracing my husband and have not let him escape. Nor has my desire yet been satisfied. O elder one! Please give me permission. The best of the Bharata lineage came to me for the sake of desire. With his desire unsatisfied, how can I let him go to Yama's abode?"
Then she gave her real reason. "O revered one! If I live, it is certain that I will not be able to treat your children and mine in the same way and that sin will touch me. O Kunti! But you will be able to bring up my children as your own. The king has gone to the land of the dead because of his desire for me. Therefore, my body should be burnt with the king's body. O revered one! Do what is pleasurable to me and burn them together. Watch over the children and think kindly of me. I cannot think of anything else I need to say."
Having said this, the illustrious daughter of the king of Madra, the lawful wife of that bull among men, climbed onto the fire of the funeral pyre.