Chapter 148

“Bhishma said, ‘After the fowler had left that spot, the she-pigeon,remembering her husband and afflicted with grief on his account, weptcopiously and indulged in these lamentations, ‘I cannot, O dear lord,recollect a single instance of thy having done me an injury! Widows, evenif mothers of many children, are still miserable! Bereft of her husband,a woman becomes helpless and an object of pity with her friends. I wasalways cherished by thee, and in consequence of the great respect thouhadst for me I was always honoured by thee with sweet, agreeable,charming, and delightful words. I sported with thee in valleys, insprings of rivers, and on delightful tops of trees. I was also made happyby thee while roving with thee through the skies. I used to sport withthee before, O dear lord, but where are those joys now? Limited are thegifts of the father, of the brother, and of the son to a woman. The giftsthat her husband alone makes to her are unlimited. What woman is therethat would not, therefore, adore her lord? A woman has no protector likeher lord, and no happiness like her lord. Abandoning all her wealth andpossessions, a woman should take to her lord as her only refuge. Lifehere is of no use to me, O lord, now that I am separated from thee. Whatchaste woman is there that would, when deprived of her lord, venture tobear the burden of life?’ Filled with sorrow and indulging in suchpiteous lamentations, the she-pigeon, devoted to her lord, cast herselfon the blazing fire. She then beheld her (deceased) husband adorned withbracelets, seated on a (celestial) car, and adored by many high-souledand meritorious beings standing around him. Indeed, there he was in thefirmament, decked with fine garlands and attired in excellent robes, andadorned with every ornament. Around him were innumerable celestial carsridden by beings who had acted meritoriously while in this world. Seatedon his own celestial car, the bird ascended to heaven, and obtainingproper honours for his deeds in this world, continued to sport in joy,accompanied by his wife.'”