Pandavas - The Final Journey!

After the death of Krishna and Dwaraka flooding, Arjuna realizes the truth, about real strength and the purpose of their life through Sage Vyasa’s words.

“Arjuna, You and your brothers served the purpose of life. It was all Krishna’s effort to uphold Dharma on earth and you and your brothers helped him in achieving that. Now that Dharma has been sustained on earth and Krishna too has left the world, it’s time you and your brothers leave the rest to the next generation.”-said Sage Vyasa.

Arjuna left Sage Vyasa’s Ashram and went to Hastinapur. He informed Yudhistra on what happened in Dwaraka and in Sage Vyasa’s Ashram.

“Arjuna, I accept Sage Vyasa’s words. It’s time we leave the rest to the next generation. I hope we lived up to the expectation of Krishna. Let’s renounce the Kingdom.  Let’s renounce the world by living in the forest, at peace. We’ll make our final journey to the Himalayas and reach for the heaven. Let’s make the preparations on what has to be done to sustain dharma by our next generation.”-said Yudhistra.

Yudhistra renounced the kingdom. He crowned Parikshit, Son of Abhimanyu, as the King of Hastinapur. Parikshit has studied under the tutelage of Balrama, Krishna, Arjuna, Kritavarman and Pradyumna.  Yudhistra acknowledged Yuyutsu, half-brother of Duryodhana as the care taker and advisor of the Kingdom and Parikshit. He crowned Yadhava Prince, Vajra as the King of Indraprastha. Subhadra became the Rajamatha.

The Pandavas leave Hastinapur

The Pandavas along with Draupathi leave Hastinapur. During their journey, a dog befriends them. The Pandavas first reach the South, to the sea. They perform rituals there. The meantime they were near the sea, Lord Agni Deva appears in front of them.

Arjuna gives his Gandiva!

“Oh Arjuna, The bow you are holding is very powerful. It was sent to you by the Gods and devas in order to fight evil and sustain Dharma. Now that the purpose has been served and you too have renounced your duties as Commander in Chief, I think you can return the bow to me. “-said Lord Agni Deva.

“Agni Deva! I hope I have fulfilled your expectations. Now that we have renounced the world, I don’t find it reasonable to hold the bow.”-saying so Arjuna returns his bow to Agni Deva.

They move from south to south west and visited places, Ashrams and from there they headed to Dwaraka. Dwaraka!!! Such a glorious city was no more there. The Pandavas see the city flooded and from the land, they could see Krishna’s palace standing among the waters. The sight of such a beautiful city submerged in the sea made them more depressed. They turned north and stopped at Rishikesh. From there they started for the Himalayas. They planned to cross the mount Meru and reach heaven.

While the Pandavas and Draupathi along with the dog were climbing the Himalayas, Draupathi dies even before reaching Mount Meru. “Brother, why was Draupathi not able to finish her journey to heaven? Why did she die so early?”- Saddened Bhīma asked Yudhistra.

Yudhistra, the one who has always followed the path of Dharma spoke in a low voice, “Bhīma, Draupathi vowed that she will show same love and care for us. But she was partial to Arjuna in her affections. She loved him more than us and she was not able to love us like how she loved him. She didn’t keep up her promise. That’s why she died first.”

Arjuna on listening to Yudhistra’s words broke out and cried. Arjuna, though he has liked Draupathi, he was too close to Subhadra. Arjuna had a feeling always that Draupathi was the same to all her husbands and so he felt she never made him feel special. Realizing Draupathi’s love for him, only after her death made him feel weaker and sinned. The brothers performed last rites to Draupathi and started continuing their journey to Mount Meru.

On their way, Sahadeva fell down and dies. Nakula was worried a lot. “Brother, Sahadeva was always so righteous and honest. He honored and respected everyone. He also was respected by all. Then why is it that he is not able to reach heaven?”- Nakula asked Yudhistra.

“Nakula, Sahadeva was always virtuous. No doubt that he was too honest and good in every aspect. But he had the depravity of pride and egotism. He thought none equals to his wisdom. In front of Dharma, everyone should be considered as equal, irrespective of the differences. Sahadeva failed to follow that path. “-explained Yudhistra.

While they were continuing their journey, Nakula dies. Nakula was the favorite for all. He was so much liked by Arjuna and Bhīma. Arjuna enquires Yudhistra, “Oh brother, Nakula is kind hearted. He loved and considered all creatures as the same. Why was he unable to finish his final journey?”

 “Arjuna, Nakula was good hearted. He was kind to animals and all species. But still he had a thing for his beauty. He was conceit and ostentatious thinking he was the most handsome person in the world. When it comes to dharma, Nakula should not have seen the difference in face. He had the pride on his beauty. He failed to follow dharma by seeing the differences in skin and by considering himself above all in beauty.”-Yudhistra explained the reason which Nakula failed to see and follow.

On their way to Mount Meru, Arjuna fell next. He died failing to finish the journey. Bhīma was deeply saddened and confused on the death of Arjuna. “Brother, Arjuna never harmed anyone unknowingly. He followed his dharma. He never double crossed your command or even Krishna’s words. He was loving and caring. He helped Krishna in sustaining Dharma. How is it fair for such a person to die without completing his final journey?”

“Bhīma, Arjuna was good at all he did. He knew that Karna is a better archer than him. Even Krishna said Karna and EkLavya are better archers than Arjuna. They both learned archery on their own yet their talents were far better than Arjuna’s.  But Arjuna didn’t accept that in his heart. He had the pride in him that he is the best archer in the whole world. He had the feeling of considering himself as the most powerful warrior and archer. Dharma refers talents as knowledge gained. No learner should feel pride or conceit in it. Considering people less than you, just because you are expert in some talent is not dharma. Arjuna failed to overcome that thought.”-Yudhistra explained the fact and real face of Dharma to Bhīma.

Yudhistra and Bhīma accompanied by the dog continued their journey. Bhīma gets tired and he falls down on the way, unable to continue. Worried and dismayed in not being able to finish the journey, he asked Yudhistra for the reason. “Oh Bhīma, you never thought anyone as inferior to you. You never thought yourself above all too. To you, talent and beauty were never a consideration and you treated everyone as equal. But, when it comes to food, you were greedy. You never thought of other’s hunger. You never even cared to consider whether there was food for everyone before eating. You didn’t even consider about people who were waiting to eat after you finished eating. You ate without thinking of others. Dharma really is where you share what you have and think that everyone gets what you have. You failed to see that when food is in front of you.”-Yudhistra enlightened Bhīma. Bhīma died in the hands of Yudhistra.

After Bhīma’s death, Yudhistra and the dog continued their journey towards heaven. While they were about to reach the top of Mount Meru, Lord Indra came in his chariot. “Yudhistra, I am gladdened on your practices in following Dharma. Your wife and brothers are in hell for they have sinned. They will be in heaven after serving their time in hell for their sins. Get inside the chariot. You don’t have to walk anymore. I will take you in the chariot to heaven.”-said Indra.

“Oh Lord! I’m blessed. But kindly accept my apology. I followed Dharma because of them. They never tried to change me. They never ceased to believe in my words. I don’t want to be in a place where my wife and brothers have got no place. Even, if it’s going to be heaven.”- said Yudhistra in a most humbled manner.

Indra smiled and in a generous voice he said-”Yudhistra, you don’t have to worry about them. They spent their time in hell and now they are all in heaven. So, get into the chariot and I will take you to heaven.”

Hearing Lord Indra’s voice, Yudhistra was pleased and he looked at the dog that was following him from the day he renounced the kingdom. He asked whether the dog can accompany him in the chariot.

“No Yudhistra. The dog cannot enter the chariot. Consider your own situation, condition and health. You have been walking for a long time. Get in the chariot. I will take you to heaven. Abandon the dog and get in.”-saying so, Lord Indra urged Yudhistra to get into the chariot.

“My apologies, Lord. Kindly forgive me. But I can’t leave the dog.  The dog has been following me from the moment I left the kingdom and has been with me even after my brothers’ and Draupathi’s death. It has been like a friend to me, a constant companion when I was left alone. I can’t abandon a friend, for betraying a friend would be a great sin. I will take my chances and walk with the dog no matter how long it takes for me.”-Yudhistra said humbly.

Indra with Yudhistra and the dog

The dog which was listening to Yudhistra’s words, transformed into Lord Dharma (Lord Yama). “Yudhistra, Dear Son, I’m proud of you. You lived a most humble, simple and honest life, following Dharma all through your life, at all situations. I’m proud of you. No matter what a man is, which family he is from, how many loved ones and relatives he might have and whatever he does for living, in the end it’s only his dharma that will follow and lead him to heaven. You have lived such a life even if it costs your happiness and wealthy life. Get in the chariot and Indra will take you to heaven.”-Lord Dharma spoke proudly.

Yudhistra went to heaven as a mortal along with Lord Dharma and Lord Indra in the chariot. Yudhistra met Kunti, Pandu, Draupathi and his five brothers including Karna. Finally he found eternal peace in heaven.