Yudhistra's Coronation

Kurukshetra War!

The Kurukshetra war ended after 18 days. After 14 long years, the Pandavas returned to Hastinapur. Dhritarashtra and Gandhari realized that Yudhistra was not the one to be blamed and held responsible for war as it was Duryodhana who declared war first. So with a big heart, they forgave the Pandavas. They bowed to Kunti and sought her blessings.

The Pandavas and Draupathi sought blessings from Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. Sage Vyasa, who heard about the end of war, visited Hastinapur. He consoled Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. As per Dhritarashtra’s wish, Yudhistra performed the last rites of Duryodhana and his brothers and also for Karna. Yudhistra also performed last rites for all the departed souls of the Kuru dynasty and all those who have participated in the war and lost their lives. He prayed for their souls to rest in peace.

After the period of mourning, Yudhistra’s coronation ceremony was performed by Dhaumya Acharya. Yudhistra was crowned as the king of Hastinapur. Yudhistra made Bhīma as the crown prince, Arjuna as the Commander-in-Chief of the army. He appointed Nakula and Sahadeva as the kings of Madra Kingdom, where King Shalya ruled. Karna’s only surviving son, Vrishakethu became the King of Anga Kingdom. Vrishakethu did not participate in the Kurukshetra war due to his young age. Vrishakethu was taken care by the Pandavas. He learnt everything related to war and ruling from both Arjuna and Krishna. He was cherished by Arjuna that he accompanied his uncle Arjuna in all his campaigns.

After being crowned as King, Yudhistra, along with his brothers, wife, Dhritarashtra and Krishna went and met Pithamaha Bhishma who was lying on arrow bed. Bhishma has got a boon Ichcha Mrityu from his father that death will befall upon him only when he desires it. After being attacked by Arjuna on the 10^th day of Kurukshetra war, Bhisma was lying on the arrow bed waiting for Uttarayana as Dakshinayana is not the best time to embrace death. He was lying on the arrow bed giving advice to whoever came seeking him for guidance.

Yudhistra along with his clan meets Grandsire Bhisma as per the request of Krishna. “Pithamaha! How can I be a king after being responsible for the death of my own brothers, people and family? How can I attain peace of mind by sitting in that throne?”

Bhisma guided Yudhistra about the duties and responsibilities of a king. “Dear Yudhistra, never mourn on the death of great people. Life’s not about how long we live but, how well we live. That’s the most important thing. Always carry out your duties sincerely and follow the path of Dharma.”

Draupathi who was listening to this, asked, “Pithamaha! You knew all this and yet why you failed to save me on that day in the court? How is it that you speak of Dharma now, but not when needed? If you have spoken or punished Duryodhana on that day, this great war and destruction would have been averted.”

“My dear daughter, Draupathi, that day I was bound to the promise I made to Dhritarashtra and also to the promise I made to myself - “to defend Hastinapur.” Also, my blood is filled with the food given by Dhritarashtra. Now that all my blood is gone, I believe I can talk about Dharma. It was my fault for not stopping Duryodhana and also for not saving you. The greatest mistake was sitting silent and doing nothing in the hall at that time. I was trying to be truthful to my promises thinking that’s dharma. But that was just my dharma and it’s not the real Dharma. Thanks to Krishna who enlightened me on what Dharma really is.”

Yudhistra asks six questions on related to how to achieve the welfare of mankind. 

1.    Who is the greatest Lord in the world?

2.    Who is the one and only refuge for all?

3.    How can  man reach the Auspiciousness (peace and prosperity)?

4.    By worshiping whom can a man reach auspiciousness (peace and prosperity)?

5.    What is, in thy opinion, the Greatest Dharma?

6.    By whom can humans go beyond the bonds of samsara?

“Pithamaha, given my despair and sorrowful state of mind, I want to expend the least effort and get the most benefit out of it. I need a relief from my despair.”

Pithamaha reciting Vishnusahasranama

“Yudhistra, the answer to your entire questions is sitting next to you. He is the one who brought you here. And surprisingly he’s patiently waiting for me to say that. Mankind will be free from all the sorrows, miseries and sins by chanting the “Vishnusahasranama”, thousand names of the supreme and all-prevailing Lord Vishnu. Chant his names with utmost devotion. He is the master of all the worlds. He is the supreme light for all the souls on earth. He is the essence of the universe. He is the ocean where every life will end its journey. Everything resides in him and he in turn resides in every matter, living and non-living. Adore him. Salute him. Glorify him. Surrender to him.”-saying so, Pithamaha Bhishma chanted the “Vishnusahasranama”.

“Pithamaha! You are lying on this arrow bed for weeks and the arrows are gushing red in color. The earth beneath you is filled with your blood. I know how painful it is to experience it all day. Kindly allow me to use a divine weapon to stop the blood from leaving your body?” – Worried Arjuna spoke in a low voice.

“Oh! Arjuna, I have been chanting the “Vishnusahasranama” and so I don’t feel the pain. Krishna takes care of my pain and fills my body with his pure blood. My sins are washed away with the loss of my blood and he fills my body with his pure blood.”-said Bhisma with a smile.

Bhishma’s words comforted Yudhistra and his brothers. Bhishma breathed his last on the first day of Uttarayana, exactly 58 days after the war. Yudhistra performed the last rites for Pithamaha Bhishma.

The Pandavas performed Ashwamedha Yaga and Yudhistra was cherished as the best king all over the world. He won the hearts of his subjects and also his allies.