srimahabharat - (Book 17) Mahaprasthanika Parva - chapters 1 to 3

Great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 Mahaprasthanika Parva

Book 17

The Mahabharata

Mahaprasthanika Parva

Book 17

Chapter 1

 

 

1 [j]
      evaṃ vṛṣṇyandhakakule śrutvā mausalam āhavam
      pāṇḍavāḥ kim akurvanta tathā kṛṣṇe divaṃ gate
  2 [vai]
      śrutvaiva kauravo rājā vṛṣṇīnāṃ kadanaṃ mahat
      prasthāne matim ādhāya vākyam arjunam abravīt
  3 kālaḥ pacati bhūtāni sarvāṇy eva mahāmate
      karma nyāsam ahaṃ manye tvam api draṣṭum arhasi
  4 ity uktaḥ sa tu kaunteyaḥ kālaḥ kāla iti bruvan
      anvapadyata tad vākyaṃ bhrātur jyeṣṭhasya vīryavān
  5 arjunasya mataṃ jñātvā bhīmaseno yamau tathā
      anvapadyanta tad vākyaṃ yad uktaṃ savyasācinā
  6 tato yuyutsum ānāyya pravrajan dharmakāmyayā
      rājyaṃ paridadau sarvaṃ vaiśya putre yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
  7 abhiṣicya svarājye tu taṃ rājānaṃ parikṣitam
      duḥkhārtaś cābravīd rājā subhadrāṃ pāṇḍavāgrajaḥ
  8 eṣa putrasya te putraḥ kururājo bhaviṣyati
      yadūnāṃ pariśeṣaś ca vajro rājā kṛtaś ca ha
  9 parikṣid dhāstina pure śakra prasthe tu yādavaḥ
      vajro rājā tvayā rakṣyo mā cādharme manaḥ kṛthāḥ
  10 ity uktvā dharmarājaḥ sa vāsudevasya dhīmataḥ
     mātulasya ca vṛddhasya rāmādīnāṃ tathaiva ca
 11 mātṛbhiḥ sahadharmātmā kṛtvodakam atandritaḥ
     śrāddhāny uddiśya sarveṣāṃ cakāra vidhivat tadā
 12 dadau ratnāni vāsāṃsi grāmān aśvān rathān api
     striyaś ca dvijamukhyebhyo gavāṃ śatasahasraśaḥ
 13 kṛpam abhyarcya ca gurum arthamānapuraskṛtam
     śiṣyaṃ parikṣitaṃ tasmai dadau bharatasattamaḥ
 14 tatas tu prakṛtīḥ sarvāḥ samānāyya yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     sarvam ācaṣṭa rājarṣiś cikīrṣatam athātmanaḥ
 15 te śrutvaiva vacas tasya paurajānapadā janāḥ
     bhṛśam udvignamanaso nābhyanandanta tad vacaḥ
 16 naivaṃ kartavyam iti te tadocus te narādhipam
     na ca rājā tathākārṣīt kālaparyāya dharmavit
 17 tato 'numānya dharmātmā paurajānapadaṃ janam
     gamanāya matiṃ cakre bhrātaraś cāsya te tadā
 18 tataḥ sa rājā kauravyo dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     utsṛjyābharaṇāny aṅgāj jagṛhe valkalāny uta
 19 bhīmārjunau yamau caiva draupadī ca yaśasvinī
     tathaiva sarve jagṛhur valkalāni janādhipa
 20 vidhivat kārayitveṣṭiṃ naiṣṭhikīṃ bharatarṣabha
     samutsṛjyāpsu sarve 'gnīn pratasthur narapuṃgavāḥ
 21 tataḥ praruruduḥ sarvāḥ striyo dṛṣṭvā nararṣabhān
     prasthitān draupadī ṣaṣṭhān purā dyūtajitān yathā
 22 harṣo 'bhavac ca sarveṣāṃ bhrātṝṇāṃ gamanaṃ prati
     yudhiṣṭhira mataṃ jñātvā vṛṣṇikṣayam aveṣkya ca
 23 bhrātaraḥ pañca kṛṣṇā ca ṣaṣṭhī śvā caiva saptamaḥ
     ātmanā saptamo rājā niryayau gajasāhvayāt
     paurair anugato dūraṃ sarvair antaḥpurais tathā
 24 na cainam aśakat kaśc cin nivartasveti bhāṣitum
     nyavartanta tataḥ sarve narā nagaravāsinaḥ
 25 kṛpa prabbhṛtayaś caiva yuyutsuṃ paryavārayan
     viveśa gaṅgāṃ kauravya ulūpī bhujagātmajā
 26 citrāṅgadā yayau cāpi maṇipūra puraṃ prati
     śiṣṭāḥ parikṣitaṃ tv anyā mātaraḥ paryavārayan
 27 pāṇḍavāś ca mahātmāno draupadī ca yaśasvinī
     kṛpopavāsāḥ kauravya prayayuḥ prāṅmukhās tataḥ
 28 yogayuktā mahātmānas tyāgadharmam upeyuṣaḥ
     abhijagmur bahūn deśān saritaḥ sāgarāṃs tathā
 29 yudhiṣṭhiro yayāv agre bhīmas tu tadanantaram
     arjunas tasya cānv eva yamau caiva yathākramam
 30 pṛṣṭhatas tu varārohā śyāmā padmadalekṣaṇā
     draupadī yoṣitāṃ śreṣṭhā yayau bharatasattama
 31 śvā caivānuyayāv ekaḥ pāṇḍavān prasthitān vane
     krameṇa te yayur vīrā lauhityaṃ salilārṇavam
 32 gāṇḍīvaṃ ca dhanur divyaṃ na mumoca dhanaṃjayaḥ
     ratnalobhān mahārāja tau cākṣayyau maheṣudhī
 33 agniṃ te dadṛśus tatra sthitaṃ śailam ivāgrataḥ
     mārgam āvṛtya tiṣṭhantaṃ sākṣāt puruṣavigraham
 34 tato devaḥ sa saptārciḥ pāṇḍavān idam abravīt
     bho bho pāṇḍusutā vīrāḥ pāvakaṃ mā vibodhata
 35 yudhiṣṭhira mahābāho bhīmasena paraṃtapa
     arjunāśvasutau vīrau nibodhata vaco mama
 36 aham agniḥ kuruśreṣṭhā mayā dagdhaṃ ca khāṇḍavam
     arjunasya prabhāvena tathā nārāyaṇasya ca
 37 ayaṃ vaḥ phalguno bhrātā gāṇḍīvaṃ paramāyudham
     parityajya vanaṃ yātu nānenārtho 'sti kaś cana
 38 cakraratnaṃ tu yat kṛṣṇe sthitam āsīn mahātmani
     gataṃ tac cā punar haste kālenaiṣyati tasya ha
 39 varuṇād āhṛtaṃ pūrvaṃ mayaitat pārtha kāraṇāt
     gāṇḍīvaṃ kārmukaśreṣṭhaṃ varuṇāyaiva dīyatām
 40 tatas te bhrātaraḥ sarve dhanaṃjayam acodayan
     sa jale prākṣipat tat tu tathākṣayyau maheṣudhī
 41 tato 'gnir bharataśreṣṭha tatraivāntaradhīyata
     yayuś ca pāṇḍavā vīrās tatas te dakṣiṇāmukhāḥ
 42 tatas te tūttareṇaiva tīreṇa lavaṇāmbhasaḥ
     jagmur bharataśārdūla diśaṃ dakṣiṇapaścimam
 43 tataḥ punaḥ samāvṛttāḥ paścimāṃ diśam eva te
     dadṛśur dvārakāṃ cāpi sāgareṇa pariplutām
 44 udīcīṃ punar āvṛttya yayur bharatasattamāḥ
     prādakṣiṇyaṃ cikīrṣantaḥ pṛthivyā yogadharmiṇaḥ

 

1

Om! Having bowed down unto Narayana, and to Nara, the foremost of men, as also to the goddess Sarasvati, should the word "Jaya" be uttered.
Janamejaya said: "Having heard of that encounter with iron bolts between the heroes of the Vrishni and the Andhaka races, and having been informed also of Krishna’s ascension to Heaven, what did the Pandavas do?"
Vaishampayana said: "Having heard the particulars of the great slaughter of the Vrishnis, the Kaurava king set his heart on leaving the world. He addressed Arjuna, saying, ‘O thou of great intelligence, it is Time that cooks every creature (in his cauldron). I think that what has happened is due to the cords of Time (with which he binds us all). It behoveth thee also to see it.’
"Thus addressed by his brother, the son of Kunti only repeated the word ‘Time, Time!’ and fully endorsed the view of his eldest brother gifted with great intelligence. Ascertaining the resolution of Arjuna, Bhimasena and the twins fully endorsed the words that Arjuna had said. Resolved to retire from the world for earning merit, they brought Yuyutsu before them. Yudhishthira made over the kingdom to the son of his uncle by his Vaisya wife. Installing Parikshit also on their throne, as king, the eldest brother of the Pandavas, filled with sorrow, addressed Subhadra, saying, ‘This son of thy son will be the king of the Kurus. The survivor of the Yadus, Vajra, has been made a king. Parikshit will rule in Hastinapura, while the Yadava prince, Vajra, will rule in Shakraprastha. He should be protected by thee. Never set thy heart on unrighteousness.’
"Having said these words, king Yudhishthira the just, along with his brothers, promptly offered oblations of water unto Vasudeva of great intelligence, as also unto his old maternal uncle and Rama and others. He then duly performed the Sraddhas of all those deceased kinsmen of his. The king, in honour of Hari and naming him repeatedly, fed the Island-born Vyasa, and Narada, and Markandeya possessed of wealth of penances, and Yajnavalkya of Bharadwaja’s race, with many delicious viands. In honour of Krishna, he also gave away many jewels and gems, and robes and clothes, and villages, and horses and cars, and female slaves by hundreds and thousands unto foremost of Brahmanas. Summoning the citizens. Kripa was installed as the preceptor and Parikshit was made over to him as his disciple, O chief of Bharata’s race.
"Then Yudhishthira once more summoned all his subjects. The royal sage informed them of his intentions. The citizens and the inhabitants of the provinces, hearing the king’s words, became filled with anxiety and disapproved of them. ‘This should never be done,’ said they unto the king. The monarch, well versed with the changes brought about by time, did not listen to their counsels. Possessed of righteous soul, he persuaded the people to sanction his views. He then set his heart on leaving the world. His brothers also formed the same resolution. Then Dharma’s son, Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus, casting off his ornaments, wore barks of trees. Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, and Draupadi also of great fame, similarly clad themselves in bark of trees, O king. Having caused the preliminary rites of religion, O chief of Bharata’s race, which were to bless them in the accomplishment of their design, those foremost of men cast off their sacred fires into the water. The ladies, beholding the princes in that guise, wept aloud. They seemed to look as they had looked in days before, when with Draupadi forming the sixth in number they set out from the capital after their defeat at dice. The brothers, however, were all very cheerful at the prospect of retirement. Ascertaining the intentions of Yudhishthira and seeing the destruction of the Vrishnis, no other course of action could please them then.
"The five brothers, with Draupadi forming the sixth, and a dog forming the seventh, set out on their journey. Indeed, even thus did king Yudhishthira depart, himself the head of a party of seven, from the city named after the elephant. The citizen and the ladies of the royal household followed them for some distance. None of them, however, could venture to address the king for persuading him to give up his intention. The denizens of the city then returned; Kripa and others stood around Yuyutsu as their centre. Ulupi, the daughter of the Naga chief, O thou of Kunti’s race, entered the waters of Ganga. The princess Chitrangada set out for the capital of Manipura. The other ladies who were the grandmothers of Parikshit centered around him. Meanwhile the high-souled Pandavas, O thou of Kuru’s race, and Draupadi of great fame, having observed the preliminary fast, set out with their faces towards the east. Setting themselves on Yoga, those high-souled ones, resolved to observe the religion of Renunciation, traversed through various countries and reached diverse rivers and seas. Yudhishthira, proceeded first. Behind him was Bhima; next walked Arjuna; after him were the twins in the order of their birth; behind them all, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, proceeded Draupadi, that first of women, possessed of great beauty, of dark complexion, and endued with eyes resembling lotus petals. While the Pandavas set out for the forest, a dog followed them.
"Proceeding on, those heroes reached the sea of red waters. Dhananjaya had not cast off his celestial bow Gandiva, nor his couple of inexhaustible quivers, actuated, O king, by the cupidity that attaches one to things of great value. The Pandavas there beheld the deity of fire standing before them like a hill. Closing their way, the god stood there in his embodied form. The deity of seven flames then addressed the Pandavas, saying, ‘Ye heroic sons of Pandu, know me for the deity of fire. O mighty-armed Yudhishthira, O Bhimasena that art a scorcher of foes, O Arjuna, and ye twins of great courage, listen to what I say! Ye foremost ones of Kuru’s race, I am the god of fire. The forest of Khandava was burnt by me, through the puissance of Arjuna and of Narayana himself. Let your brother Phalguna proceed to the woods after casting off Gandiva, that high weapon. He has no longer any need of it. That precious discus, which was with the high-souled Krishna, has disappeared (from the world). When the time again comes, it will come back into his hands. This foremost of bows, Gandiva, was procured by me from Varuna for the use of Partha. Let it be made over to Varuna himself.’
"At this, all the brothers urged Dhananjaya to do what the deity said. He then threw into the waters (of the sea) both the bow and the couple of inexhaustible quivers. After this, O chief of Bharata’s race, the god of the fire disappeared then and there. The heroic sons of Pandu next proceeded with their faces turned towards the south. Then, by the northern coast of the salt sea, those princes of Bharata’s race proceeded to the south-west. Turning next towards the west, they beheld the city of Dwaraka covered by the ocean. Turning next to the north, those foremost ones proceeded on. Observant of Yoga, they were desirous of making a round of the whole Earth."

 

 

Book 17
Chapter 2

 

 

1 [vai]
      tatas te niyatātmāna udīcīṃ diśam āsthitāḥ
      dadṛśur yogayuktāś ca himavantaṃ mahāgirim
  2 taṃ cāpy atikramantas te dadṛśur vālukārṇavam
      avaikṣanta mahāśailaṃ meruṃ śikhariṇāṃ varam
  3 teṣāṃ tu gacchatāṃ śīghraṃ sarveṣāṃ yogadharmiṇām
      yājñasenī bhraṣṭayogā nipapāta mahītale
  4 tāṃ tu prapatitāṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ
      uvāca dharmarājānaṃ yājñasenīm avekṣya ha
  5 nādharmaś caritaḥ kaś cid rājaputryā paraṃtapa
      kāraṇaṃ kiṃ nu tad rājan yat kṛṣṇā patitā bhuvi
  6 [y]
      pakṣapāto mahān asyā viśeṣeṇa dhanaṃjaye
      tasyaitat phalam adyaiṣā bhuṅkte puruṣasattama
  7 [vai]
      evam uktvānavekṣyaināṃ yayau dharmasuto nṛpaḥ
      samādhāya mano dhīman dharmātmā puruṣarṣabhaḥ
  8 sahadevas tato dhīmān nipapāta mahītale
      taṃ cāpi patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmo rājānam abravīt
  9 yo 'yam asmāsu sarveṣu śuśrūṣur anahaṃkṛtaḥ
      so 'yaṃ mādravatī putraḥ kasmān nipatito bhuvi
  10 [y]
     ātmanaḥ sadṛśaṃ prājñaṃ naiṣo 'manyata kaṃ cana
     tena doṣeṇa patitas tasmād eṣa nṛpātmajaḥ
 11 [vai]
     ity uktvā tu samutsṛjya sahadevaṃ yayau tadā
     bhrātṛbhiḥ saha kaunteyaḥ śunā caiva yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 12 kṛṣṇāṃ nipatitāṃ dṛṣṭvā sahadevaṃ ca pāṇḍavam
     ārto bandhupriyaḥ śūro nakulo nipapāta ha
 13 tasmin nipatite vīre nakule cārudarśane
     punar eva tadā bhīmo rājānam idam abravīt
 14 yo 'yam akṣata dharmātmā bhrātā vacanakārakaḥ
     rūpeṇāpratimo loke nakulaḥ patito bhuvi
 15 ity ukto bhīmasenena pratyuvāca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     nakulaṃ prati dharmātmā sarvabuddhimatāṃ varaḥ
 16 rūpeṇa matsamo nāsti kaś cid ity asya darśanam
     adhikaś cāham evaika ity asya manasi sthitam
 17 nakulaḥ patitas tasmād āgaccha tvaṃ vṛkodara
     yasya yad vihitaṃ vīra so 'vaśyaṃ tad upāśnute
 18 tāṃs tu prapatitān dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavaḥ śvetavāhanaḥ
     papāta śokasaṃtaptas tato 'nu paravīrahā
 19 tasmiṃs tu puruṣavyāghre patite śakra tejasi
     mriyamāṇe durādharṣe bhīmo rājānam abravīt
 20 anṛtaṃ na smarāmy asya svaireṣv api mahātmanaḥ
     atha kasya vikāro 'yaṃ yenāyaṃ patito bhuvi
 21 [y]
     ekāhnā nirdaheyaṃ vai śatrūn ity arjuno 'bravīt
     na ca tat kṛtavān eṣa śūramānī tato 'patat
 22 avamene dhanur grāhān eṣa sarvāṃś ca phalgunaḥ
     yathā coktaṃ tathā caiva kartavyaṃ bhūtim icchatā
 23 [vai]
     ity uktvā prasthito rājā bhīmo 'tha nipapāta ha
     patitaś cābravīd bhīmo dharmarājaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram
 24 bho bho rājann avekṣasva patito 'haṃ priyas tava
     kiṃnimittaṃ ca patitaṃ brūhi me yadi vettha ha
 25 [y]
     atibhuktaṃ ca bhavatā prāṇena ca vikatthase
     anavekṣya paraṃ pārtha tenāsi patitaḥ kṣitau
 26 [vai]
     ity uktvā taṃ mahābāhur jagāmānavalokayan
     śvā tv eko 'nuyayau yas te bahuśaḥ kīrtito mayā

 

2

Vaishampayana said: "Those princes of restrained souls and devoted to Yoga, proceeding to the north, beheld Himavat, that very large mountain. Crossing the Himavat, they beheld a vast desert of sand. They then saw the mighty mountain Meru, the foremost of all high-peaked mountains. As those mighty ones were proceeding quickly, all rapt in Yoga, Yajnaseni, falling of from Yoga, dropped down on the Earth. Beholding her fallen down, Bhimasena of great strength addressed king Yudhishthira the just, saying, ‘O scorcher of foes, this princess never did any sinful act. Tell us what the cause is for which Krishna has fallen down on the Earth!’
"Yudhishthira said: ‘O best of men, though we were all equal unto her she had great partiality for Dhananjaya. She obtains the fruit of that conduct today, O best of men.’"
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said this, that foremost one of Bharata’s race proceeded on. Of righteous soul, that foremost of men, endued with great intelligence, went on, with mind intent on itself. Then Sahadeva of great learning fell down on the Earth. Beholding him drop down, Bhima addressed the king, saying, ‘He who with great humility used to serve us all, alas, why is that son of Madravati fallen down on the Earth?’
"Yudhishthira said, ‘He never thought anybody his equal in wisdom. It is for that fault that this prince has fallen down.’
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said this, the king proceeded, leaving Sahadeva there. Indeed, Kunti’s son Yudhishthira went on, with his brothers and with the dog. Beholding both Krishna and the Pandava Sahadeva fallen down, the brave Nakula, whose love for kinsmen was very great, fell down himself. Upon the falling down of the heroic Nakula of great personal beauty, Bhima once more addressed the king, saying, ‘This brother of ours who was endued with righteousness without incompleteness, and who always obeyed our behests, this Nakula who was unrivalled for beauty, has fallen down.’
"Thus addressed by Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, said, with respect to Nakula, these words: ‘He was of righteous soul and the foremost of all persons endued with intelligence. He, however, thought that there was nobody that equalled him in beauty of person. Indeed, he regarded himself as superior to all in that respect. It is for this that Nakula has fallen down. Know this, O Vrikodara. What has been ordained for a person, O hero, must have to be endured by him.’
"Beholding Nakula and the others fall down, Pandu’s son Arjuna of white steeds, that slayer of hostile heroes, fell down in great grief of heart. When that foremost of men, who was endued with the energy of Shakra, had fallen down, indeed, when that invincible hero was on the point of death, Bhima said unto the king, ‘I do not recollect any untruth uttered by this high-souled one. Indeed, not even in jest did he say anything false. What then is that for whose evil consequence this one has fallen down on the Earth?’
"Yudhishthira said, ‘Arjuna had said that he would consume all our foes in a single day. Proud of his heroism, he did not, however, accomplish what he had said. Hence has he fallen down. This Phalguna disregarded all wielders of bows. One desirous of prosperity should never indulge in such sentiments.’"
Vaishampayana continued: "Having said so, the king proceeded on. Then Bhima fell down. Having fallen down, Bhima addressed king Yudhishthira the just, saying, ‘O king, behold, I who am thy darling have fallen down. For what reason have I dropped down? Tell me if thou knowest it.’
"Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou wert a great eater, and thou didst use to boast of thy strength. Thou never didst attend, O Bhima, to the wants of others while eating. It is for that, O Bhima, that thou hast fallen down.’
"Having said these words, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira proceeded on, without looking back. He had only one companion, the dog of which I have repeatedly spoken to thee, that followed him now.

 

 

Book 17
Chapter 3

 

 

 

1 [vai]
      tataḥ saṃnādayañ śakro divaṃ bhūmiṃ ca sarvaśaḥ
      rathenopayayau pārtham ārohety abravīc ca tam
  2 sa bhrātṝn patitān dṛṣṭvā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      abravīc chokasaṃtaptaḥ sahasrākṣam idaṃ vacaḥ
  3 bhrātaraḥ patitā me 'tra āgaccheyur mayā saha
      na vinā bhrātṛbhiḥ svargam icche gantuṃ sureśvara
  4 sukumārī sukhārhā ca rājaputrī puraṃdara
      sāsmābhiḥ saha gaccheta tad bhavān anumanyatām
  5 [indra]
      bhrātṝn drakṣyasi putrāṃs tvam agratas tridivaṃ gatān
      kṛṣṇayā sahitān sarvān mā śuco bharatarṣabha
  6 nikṣipya mānuṣaṃ dehaṃ gatās te bharatarṣabha
      anena tvaṃ śarīreṇa svargaṃ gantā na saṃśayaḥ
  7 [y]
      atha śvā bhūtabhāvyeśa bhakto māṃ nityam eva ha
      sa gaccheta mayā sārdham ānṛśaṃsyā hi me matiḥ
  8 [indra]
      amartyatvaṃ mat sāmatvaṃ ca rājañ; śriyaṃ kṛtsnāṃ mahatīṃ caiva kīrtim
      saṃprāpto 'dya svargasukhāni ca tvaṃ; tyaja śvānaṃ nātra nṛśaṃsam asti
  9 [y]
      anāryam āryeṇa sahasranetra; śakyaṃ kartuṃ duṣkaram etad ārya
      mā me śriyā saṃgamanaṃ tayāstu; yasyāḥ kṛte bhakta janaṃ tyajeyam
  10 [indra]
     svarge loke śvavatāṃ nāsti dhiṣṇyam; iṣṭāpūrtaṃ krodhavaśā haranti
     tato vicārya kriyatāṃ dharmarāja; tyaja śvānaṃ nātra nṛśaṃsam asti
 11 [y]
     bhakta tyāgaṃ prāhur atyantapāpaṃ; tulyaṃ loke brahma vadhyā kṛtena
     tasmān nāhaṃ jātu kathaṃ canādya; tyakṣyāmy enaṃ svasukhārthī mahendra
 12 [indra]
     śunā dṛṣṭaṃ krodhavaśā haranti; yad dattam iṣṭaṃ vivṛtam atho hutaṃ ca
     tasmāc chunas tyāgam imaṃ kuruṣva; śunas tyāgāt prāpyase devalokam
 13 tyaktvā bhrātṝn dayitāṃ cāpi kṛṣṇāṃ; prāpto lokaḥ karmaṇā svena vīra
     śvānaṃ cainaṃ na tyajase kathaṃ nu; tyāgaṃ kṛtsnaṃ cāsthito muhyase 'dya
 14 [y]
     na vidyate saṃdhir athāpi vigraho; mṛtair martyair iti lokeṣu niṣṭhā
     na te mayā jīvayituṃ hi śakyā; tasmāt tyāgas teṣu kṛto na jīvatām
 15 pratipradānaṃ śaraṇāgatasya; striyā vadho brāhmaṇasv āpahāraḥ
     mitradrohas tāni catvāri śakra; bhakta tyāgaś caiva samo mato me
 16 [vai]
     tad dharmarājasya vaco niśamya; dharmasvarūpī bhagavān uvāca
     yudhiṣṭhiraṃ prati yukto narendraṃ; ślakṣṇair vākyaiḥ saṃstava saṃprayuktaiḥ
 17 abhijāto 'si rājendra pitur vṛttena medhayā
     anukrośena cānena sarvabhūteṣu bhārata
 18 purā dvaitavane cāsi mayā putra parīkṣitaḥ
     pānīyārthe parākrāntā yatra te bhrātaro hatāḥ
 19 bhīmārjunau parityajya yatra tvaṃ bhrātarāv ubhau
     mātroḥ sāmyam abhīpsan vai nakulaṃ jīvam icchasi
 20 ayaṃ śvā bhakta ity eva tyakto deva rathas tvayā
     tasmāt svarge na te tulyaḥ kaś cid asti narādhipa
 21 atas tavākṣayā lokāḥ svaśarīreṇa bhārata
     prāpto 'si bharataśreṣṭha divyāṃ gatim anuttamām
 22 tato dharmaś ca śakraś ca marutaś cāśvināv api
     devā devarṣayaś caiva ratham āropya pāṇḍavam
 23 prayayuḥ svair vimānais te siddhāḥ kāmavihāriṇaḥ
     sarve virajasaḥ puṇyāḥ puṇyavāg buddhikarmiṇaḥ
 24 sa taṃ rathaṃ samāsthāya rājā kurukulodvahaḥ
     ūrdhvam ācakrame śīghraṃ tejasāvṛtya rodasī
 25 tato deva nikāyastho nāradaḥ sarvalokavit
     uvācoccais tadā vākyaṃ bṛhad vādī bṛhat tapāḥ
 26 ye 'pi rājarṣayaḥ sarve te cāpi samupasthitāḥ
     kīrtiṃ pracchādya teṣāṃ vai kururājo 'dhitiṣṭhati
 27 lokān āvṛtya yaśasā tejasā vṛttasaṃpadā
     svaśarīreṇa saṃprāptaṃ nānyaṃ śuśruma pāṇḍavāt
 28 nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā rājā vacanam abravīt
     devān āmantrya dharmātmā svapakṣāṃś caiva pārthivān
 29 śubhaṃ vā yadi vā pāpaṃ bhrātṝṇāṃ sthānam adya me
     tad eva prāptum icchāmi lokān anyān na kāmaye
 30 rājñas tu vacanaṃ śrutvā devarājaḥ puraṃdaraḥ
     ānṛśaṃsya samāyuktaṃ pratyuvāca yudhiṣṭhiram
 31 sthāne 'smin vasa rājendra karmabhir nirjite śubhaiḥ
     kiṃ tvaṃ mānuṣyakaṃ sneham adyāpi parikarṣasi
 32 siddhiṃ prāpto 'si paramāṃ yathā nānyaḥ pumān kva cit
     naiva te bhrātaraḥ sthānaṃ saṃprāptāḥ kurunandana
 33 adyāpi mānuṣo bhāvaḥ spṛśate tvāṃ narādhipa
     svargo 'yaṃ paśya devarṣīn siddhāṃś ca tridivālayān
 34 yudhiṣṭhiras tu devendram evaṃ vādinam īśvaram
     punar evābravīd dhīmān idaṃ vacanam arthavat
 35 tair vinā notsahe vastum iha daitya nibarhaṇa
     gantum icchāmi tatrāhaṃ yatra me bhrātaro gatāḥ
 36 yatra sā bṛhatī śyāmā buddhisattvaguṇānvitā
     draupadī yoṣitāṃ śreṣṭhā yatra caiva priyā mama

 

3

Vaishampayana said: "Then Shakra, causing the firmament and the Earth to be filled by a loud sound, came to the son of Pritha on a car and asked him to ascend it. Beholding his brothers fallen on the Earth, king Yudhishthira the just said unto that deity of a 1,000 eyes these words: ‘My brothers have all dropped down here. They must go with me. Without them by me I do not wish to go to Heaven, O lord of all the deities. The delicate princess (Draupadi) deserving of every comfort, O Purandara, should go with us. It behoveth thee to permit this.’
"Shakra said, ‘Thou shalt behold thy brothers in Heaven. They have reached it before thee. Indeed, thou shalt see all of them there, with Krishna. Do not yield to grief, O chief of the Bharatas. Having cast off their human bodies they have gone there, O chief of Bharata’s race. As regards thee, it is ordained that thou shalt go thither in this very body of thine.’
"Yudhishthira said, ‘This dog, O lord of the Past and the Present, is exceedingly devoted to me. He should go with me. My heart is full of compassion for him.’
"Shakra said, ‘Immortality and a condition equal to mine, O king, prosperity extending in all directions, and high success, and all the felicities of Heaven, thou hast won today. Do thou cast off this dog. In this there will be no cruelty.’
"Yudhishthira said, ‘O thou of a 1,000 eyes. O thou that art of righteous behaviour, it is exceedingly difficult for one that is of righteous behaviour to perpetrate an act that is unrighteous. I do not desire that union with prosperity for which I shall have to cast off one that is devoted to me.’
"Indra said, ‘There is no place in Heaven for persons with dogs. Besides, the (deities called) Krodhavasas take away all the merits of such persons. Reflecting on this, act, O king Yudhishthira the just. Do thou abandon this dog. There is no cruelty in this.’
"Yudhishthira said, ‘It has been said that the abandonment of one that is devoted is infinitely sinful. It is equal to the sin that one incurs by slaying a Brahmana. Hence, O great Indra, I shall not abandon this dog today from desire of my happiness. Even this is my vow steadily pursued, that I never give up a person that is terrified, nor one that is devoted to me, nor one that seeks my protection, saying that he is destitute, nor one that is afflicted, nor one that has come to me, nor one that is weak in protecting oneself, nor one that is solicitous of life. I shall never give up such a one till my own life is at an end.’
"Indra said, ‘Whatever gifts, or sacrifices spread out, or libations poured on the sacred fire, are seen by a dog, are taken away by the Krodhavasas. Do thou, therefore, abandon this dog. By abandoning this dog thou wilt attain to the region of the deities. Having abandoned thy brothers and Krishna, thou hast, O hero, acquired a region of felicity by thy own deeds. Why art thou so stupefied? Thou hast renounced everything. Why then dost thou not renounce this dog?’ "Yudhishthira said, ‘This is well known in all the worlds that there is neither friendship nor enmity with those that are dead. When my brothers and Krishna died, I was unable to revive them. Hence it was that I abandoned them. I did not, however, abandon them as long as they were alive. To frighten one that has sought protection, the slaying of a woman, the theft of what belongs to a Brahmana, and injuring a friend, each of these four, O Shakra, is I think equal to the abandonment of one that is devoted.’"
Vaishampayana continued: "Hearing these words of king Yudhishthira the just, (the dog became transformed into) the deity of Righteousness, who, well pleased, said these words unto him in a sweet voice fraught with praise.
"Dharma said: ‘Thou art well born, O king of kings, and possessed of the intelligence and the good conduct of Pandu. Thou hast compassion for all creatures, O Bharata, of which this is a bright example. Formerly, O son, thou wert once examined by me in the woods of Dwaita, where thy brothers of great prowess met with (an appearance of) death. Disregarding both thy brothers Bhima and Arjuna, thou didst wish for the revival of Nakula from thy desire of doing good to thy (step-) mother. On the present occasion, thinking the dog to be devoted to thee, thou hast renounced the very car of the celestials instead of renouncing him. Hence. O king, there is no one in Heaven that is equal to thee. Hence, O Bharata, regions of inexhaustible felicity are thine. Thou hast won them, O chief of the Bharatas, and thine is a celestial and high goal.’"
Vaishampayana continued: "Then Dharma, and Shakra, and the Maruts, and the Ashvinis, and other deities, and the celestial Rishis, causing Yudhishthira to ascend on a car, proceeded to Heaven. Those beings crowned with success and capable of going everywhere at will, rode their respective cars. King Yudhishthira, that perpetuator of Kuru’s race, riding on that car, ascended quickly, causing the entire welkin to blaze with his effulgence. Then Narada, that foremost of all speakers, endued with penances, and conversant with all the worlds, from amidst that concourse of deities, said these words: ‘All those royal sages that are here have their achievements transcended by those of Yudhishthira. Covering all the worlds by his fame and splendour and by his wealth of conduct, he has attained to Heaven in his own (human) body. None else than the son of Pandu has been heard to achieve this.’
"Hearing these words of Narada, the righteous-souled king, saluting the deities and all the royal sages there present, said, ‘Happy or miserable, whatever the region be that is now my brothers’, I desire to proceed to. I do not wish to go anywhere else.’
"Hearing this speech of the king, the chief of the deities, Purandara, said these words fraught with noble sense: ‘Do thou live in this place, O king of kings, which thou hast won by thy meritorious deeds. Why dost thou still cherish human affections? Thou hast attained to great success, the like of which no other man has ever been able to attain. Thy brothers, O delighter of the Kurus, have succeeded in winning regions of felicity. Human affections still touch thee. This is Heaven. Behold these celestial Rishis and Siddhas who have attained to the region of the gods.’
"Gifted with great intelligence, Yudhishthira answered the chief of the deities once more, saying, ‘O conqueror of Daityas, I venture not to dwell anywhere separated from them. I desire to go there, where my brothers have gone. I wish to go there where that foremost of women, Draupadi, of ample proportions and darkish complexion and endued with great intelligence and righteous of conduct, has gone.’"

The end of Mahaprasthanika-parva

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguliji for the collection)