The final journey

We move on to the new book, “the Great Journey (mahaa prasthaanika parvam)”, consisting of one single chapter. It starts with the query raised by Janamejaya on what course of action the Pandavas undertook, after learning about the total destruction of the Yadava race.

In reply, Vaisampayana continued with his narration. Yudhishthira, on hearing the report of Arjuna, said: “Time is a great destroyer of everything. We all must realize that the time has come to take us also in its fold.” His brothers reflected on the significance of those words and nodded in agreement.

The new king

Yudhishthira has been thinking of retiring to forest even much earlier. Now he lost all interest in life itself. He did not waste time once he got the concurrence of his brothers. He called Yuyutsu to his side and spoke. “I want to install Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna as the future king of Kurus. Think of him as your son and look after the affairs of state on his behalf.”

The Pandavas, first performed the funeral rites for their uncle Vasudeva, to their sons Krishna and Balarama, and to all other Yadavas who were their relations. Great sages like Veda Vyasa, Narada and Markandeya were invited for that occasion (sraaddha). They were fed with delicious food and offered valuable gifts.

The Pandavas, then worshipped their teacher, Kripa, and took his permission for their ultimate journey.

The farewell

Yudhishthira called the senior citizens of his kingdom to his assembly and announced the installation of the new king and his own immediate plan of taking the final journey of his life. There were tears in the eyes of those who heard the announcement. There was, at the same time, a refusal in their muted voices to accept what was inevitable. The Pandava stood firm on his resolve and impressed on the people that they should permit their kings to leave.

Draupadi had already decided that she would accompany her husbands in their final journey. The six of them, accordingly, abandoned their royal gears and changed into ascetic attire, wearing dress made of bark of trees. Then, they set forth on their journey.
It so happened that a dog followed them as they moved on their path. Yudhishthira accepted his new companion with compassion.

Thus, they came out of their palace on a journey very different from those they undertook twice before, first as refugees who escaped from fire in the house of wax and then, after losing all in the game of dice. They did not resent their fate this time, but, accepted it with open hands.

The citizens of the land thronged the two sides of their passage. No one could speak the words, “please do not go!”

Chitrangada, the Naga princess wedded to Arjuna, returned to her kingdom. Uloopi abandoned her body in Ganga and reached the other world ahead of her husband.

The Circumambulation

The six Pandavas, accompanied by the dog, proceeded first to the east until they reached the shores of the sea.

They found, at that time, a figure appearing in front blocking their way like a huge mountain. They, then, heard a voice addressed to them. “Oh! Pandavas, know that I am the god of fire. Arjuna, I gave you the Gandiva and the quill with an unlimited supply of arrows when you helped me to consume the Khandava forest. They served you well in your war against your foes. You do not need them any more. Leave them back in the ocean, to Varuna, from whom you received them.” Arjuna was sorry to part with his weapons that were constant companions all through his fight against powerful enemies.

Then, they proceeded to the south and then to the west reaching the seas forming the boundary of their vast empire. Finally, they traveled north thereby completing one circle around their vast empire. That was their way of worshipping the land that served them and all their ancestors. That was their unique way of bidding farewell to the land and its people, too.