Mb118. The Final Days Of Dhritarastra Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

Yudhishthira, day by day,
For his justice and fair play,
His name became popular
As the country's best ruler.

Draupadi served Kunti,
And took care of Gandhari,
As her own mothers,
For almost fifteen years,

One day Dhritarashtra
Called Yudhishthira
"You served us well,
And we wish you well."

"Let me go to the forest,
To spend my life rest.
Let me not die here,
With the sickness fear."

Yudhisthira refused at first,
When Vyasa endorsed it,
He agreed to it,
But with half heart.

Kunti sought his consent,
She also there to be sent.
He persuaded her not to go,
But pressed, she had to go.

Dhritarashtra, Gandhari,
And the mother Kunti.
All the royal three
In the forest settled free.

One day the forest got fire,
They were burnt in that pyre.
Their lives the three gave up
Chanting sacred hymns, way up.

While Vidura died earlier,
Sanjaya escaped from fire.
The rest of his life he spent,
In the caves of Himalaya Mount.