Mahaprasthanika Parva

Mahaprasthanika Parva

This Parva starts with the great journey of the Pandavas across the whole country and finally their ascent on the great Himalayas. On their way, Draupadi and other Pandava brothers die midway except for Yudistra. Yudistra was the only person to reach the Heaven with the mortal body directly. The Mausala Parva precedes Mahaprathanika parva; This parva is followed by Swargarohana parva.

Contents

Introduction

Arjuna was unable to save the ladies, children and other older people of the Yadava clan. He was ashamed of himself and reached Hastinapur in a crestfallen condition (See Mausala Parva). Yudistra heard everything from Arjuna about "the destruction of the Yadavas men using Mausalas (Iron clubs of miraculous origin) in Prabasha, the death of lord Krishna and Balarama, the submersion of Dwaraka into the Sea and Arjuna's inability to rescue the Yadava ladies while bringing them to Hastinapur". On hearing all these, Yudistra, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva and Draupadi get dejected. They lost interest in the world. They concluded that now the time has come for their own departure from Earth. Consequently, King Yudistra coronate Parikshit as the king of Hastinapur. They started their journey towards the Himalayas.

The Pandavas visit across India

The Pandavas made last visit to various holy places across India before ascending towards heaven. They first came to Dwaraka. Dwaraka which was once a very beautiful city, has now submerged into Sea. They get highly depressed. They began to recollect all the beautiful pastimes of the duo Krishna-Balarama who used to help them to overcome various ordeals from time to time. From there they start walking towards Himalayas. On their way, lord Agni appeared before Pandavas and asked Arjuna to return his bow. Agni said that he got this bow from Varuna in order to destroy all the demons on Earth. Now, the purpose of Arjuna's bow was completely served on Earth. On hearing this, Arjuna returned his bow to Agni who inturn disappeared the moment he got the bow from Arjuna. The Pandavas continued their journey. On their way, the Pandavas prayed to lord Shiva and installed a Shivalingam near Rishikesh. Now they started to ascend towards the Heaven in the high Himalayas.

The final ascent of Pandavas to Heaven

On their way, a dog accompanied the Pandavas. The Dog followed the Pandavas throughout their journey. As the brothers walked, Draupadi was the first person to die. Bheema asked Yudistra the reason behind the death of Draupadi. Yudistra replied that although all the five brothers loved her equally, yet, she showed more inclination towards Arjuna. It was because of this partiality towards Arjuna, she died midway. The remaining Pandavas continued their journey leaving Draupadi behind. Now, Sahadeva was the next person to fall. Bheema again asked Yudistra the reason for the death of Sahadeva. Yudistra replied that Sahadeva was very proud that none was equal to him in wisdom. It was for this reason he died midway. The others continued to move leaving Sahadeva behind. Now, Nakula was the next person to die. Over this, Yudistra replied to Bheema that Nakula thought that he was the most handsome person in the world. It was because of this proud in him, he too had to die in the before they could reach heaven. Yudistra instructed Arjuna and Bheema not to look back and to continue their journey. As they travelled further, now Arjuna was the next person to die on their way. Bheema again got very astonished. He asked Yudistra the reason behind Arjuna's inability to reach heaven in human form. Yudistra replied that Arjuna boosted before the beginning of the Kurukshetra war that he would destroy the entire Kauravas in a single day. Being so proud of his archery skills, he could not do so and the war took place for eighteen days. So, Arjuna was deprived of reaching heaven on being so proud over his archery skills. Now, they leave Arjuna too behind. Yudistra, Bheema and the Dog proceeded further. However, now it was the turn of Bheema to fall down. He asked his elder brother to narrate him the reason behind his own inability to reach heaven. Yudistra replied that Bheema used to eat too much without even bothering the hunger of others. It was due to this sin he was now ordained to die. Finally, Yudistra along with the dog continued their journey and reached Heaven with their mortal body.[1]

Notes and references

All the references below are from two books:

  1. Bharatam (Dviteeya Bhagam) by Ushasri in Telugu. 2001 Edition by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam's Religious Publication Series. No.: 111
  2. Mahabharata by C Rajagopalachari. 2008 (52nd) Edition by Bhavan's Book University. ISBN 81-7276-368-9

The reference from the:

  • Bharatam book is prefixed by "Bharatam''.
  • Mahabharata book is prefixed by ''Mahabharata''
  1. ^ Mahabharata

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