In the 2nd part of the 4th Sandhi of Ādiparva, Vaiśampāyana mentions that Pāṇḍu returns to Hastināpura and informs Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Bhīṣma of the fact that he accidentally killed a Ṛṣi couple who before passing away cursed him. They console him saying that he can get rid of the sin through yajña-s such as the Aśvamedha. However Pāṇḍu refuses this advice and decides to leave for the forest. Before leaving, he donates all his wealth to the Brāhmaṇa-s. Pāṇḍu with his two wives – Kunti and Mādri, goes to the Śataṣṛṅga mountains where he lives amidst great Ṛṣi-s such as Jābāli, Gārgya, Aṅgīrasa, Gālava, Gauthama and others, practicing severe austerities. Through these austerities, Pāṇḍu is able to calm his disturbed mind, and is able to enjoy the bliss. His wives serve him faithfully, but they are frustrated due to the fact that they will not be able to have children owing to the Ṛṣi’s curse.

One day Kunti quietly approaches Pāṇḍu and tells him that the kingdom of Bhāratas will go to the children that Gāndhāri will bear, and that he will have to remain in the forest all throughout. Pāṇḍu consoles her that if the Ṛṣis of the Śataṣṛṅga mountain show their mercy on them, they too might be able to obtain children. At this, Kunti reveals to Pāṇḍu the fact that long ago she had obtained five divine mantrā-s from Dūrvasa through which she could obtain children from the Devatā-s. Pāṇḍu is very pleased to hear this. He advises Kunti to proceed and obtain radiant children, who are worthy of the Bhārata lineage and be destoryers of their foes.

Audio Link: https://archive.org/download/kumaravyasa-bharata-recitation/Parva-01-Adiparva-004-Sandhi-Part-02-of-04.mp3