Now the Pandavas had control over the kingdom of Hastinapur. King Yudhishthira was ruling dutifully and with justice. No unrighteousness prevailed anywhere in the kingdom. The five Pandavas respected Dhritrashtra and Gandhari equally as their parents. Kunti served Gandhari and Draupadi served them both with great devotion. The Pandavas organised several yajnas and the Ashwamedha yajna was one of them.
Yudhishthira consulted Dhritrashtra on the matters of state so that the latter might feel that he was still the king. Yudhishthira instructed his brothers and the other people not to hurt the sentiments of both Dhritrashtra and Gandhari in any respect. All of them abided by Yudhishthira’s bidding.
Occasionally, Bhima would comment that the Kauravas deserved their destruction. This would cause great hurt and pain to Dhritrashtra and Gandhari.
In due course, both Dhritrashtra and Gandhari decided to give up life as householders.
For fifteen years, Dhritrashtra and Gandhari lived in Hastinapura under the care of Yudhishthira. Then one day, Dhritrashtra called Yudhishthira and sought his permission to go into the forest with Gandhari. He told Yudhishthira that he (Yudhishthira) would get one-sixth of the fruit of their penance.
Yudhishthira did not want to send them into the forest. So, Dhritrashtra said to Kripacharya and Vidura, “Please guide Yudhishthira to make arrangement for our departure.”
Then sage Vyasa reached there. He requested Yudhishthira to let Dhritrashtra go into the forest as a king’s duty is either to die fighting a battle or to retire to the forest in the latter part of his life. Thus Yudhishthira permitted Dhritrashtra to go into the forest. Dhritrashtra called Vidura and Kripacharya and asked them to take care of his eldest son.
Learning of the departure of Gandhari, Kunti too requested her son to let her go into the forest. Yudhishthira with a heavy heart agreed to his mother’s words.
All the Pandavas began to weep. But Kunti comforted them all and asked them not to hurt anybody’s sentiments and take care of Nakul and Sahadeva. The news of their departure spread like wildlife.
All the prominent people of the kingdom reached the palace and sought their blessings. Dhritrashtra requested them all to be loyal to Yudhishthra. Dhritrashtra, Gandhari and Kunti blessed all the Pandavas thus, “O Son! Our responsibilty towards the kingdom is over. Now you are the king. It is your duty to look after the welfare of your subjects. We are more than sure that you will take care of the needs of your people.”
Dhritrashtra held Gandhari’s shoulder. She had tied a scarf over her eyes since her marriage, so Kunti led her. Sanjaya went with them. As they were leaving, Kunti turned to say that Draupadi and all the Pandavas should support Yudhishthira.
The Pandavas watched silently, with Vidura and Kripacharya, as the four left Hastinapura for the forest. They lived there for three years till a fire engulfed the forest. They asked Sanjaya to leave and consigned themselves to the flames. After learning the news of the fire the Pandavas were inconsolable. Sanjaya comforted them and went into the forest again.
