Meeting with the dead heroes

We start now the new chapter titled, “the meeting with the Sons (putra darSana parvam)”.

Vedavyasa concluded the story of Vidura. He must have sensed the loss of the saintly Vidura felt by his family members. He also would have guessed the general melancholic mood that prevailed with the thought of the dead war heroes. That must have prompted the great sage to offer the Pandavas and their aged uncle and aunt to fulfill whatever they desired.

Sage Narada also happened to come there at that time in the company of other celestial sages. Dhritarashtra received his divine guests with all reverence and offered them seats and refreshments. When all the new comers were properly seated Vedavyasa turned to the blind Dhritarashtra and repeated his offer. But, the aged king only lamented over the foolishness on the part of his sons that resulted in the disastrous war.

Gandhari, who was aggrieved by the sad news of Vidura’s end, was saddened even further listening to her husband’s words. She spoke to the sage. “We have spent sixteen years this way. My husband continues to mourn over the tragic loss of our sons even after retiring to the forest. You have all the powers in you to bring before us even those who live in other worlds. It is clear that what the king wants most is to see his sons again, just for once. That is what I desire, too. I am sure that Kunti, Subhadra and all other Pandava queens will have similar wishes which they have not spoken out.”

Vyasa, then, turned to Kunti and asked what she had in mind. The queen of Pandu, then, with a lot of hesitation spoke about the birth of her first son, Karna, when she was just a maiden. She lamented over her ill fate which made her discard him at birth that resulted in all the tragedies. The sage consoled the Pandava queen that she had acted as per the circumstance and should not repent over that. He revealed the past life of all the veterans, of which we are familiar with that of the Pandavas . Vyasa said that the deity of the third epoch, Dwapara (dwaapara), took birth as Sakuni. Duryodhana was the incarnation of the deity of the fourth epoch, Kali. (The pair, Kali and Dwapara, had played a vital and notorious role in the story of Nala and Damayanti, which we have already covered).

Vyasa concluded the narration of the past life (amSa kathanam) of the Pandavas and Kauravas and said. “The time has come for you to meet the dead heroes of the war in person and get over your sorrow. Come to the shores of Ganga this night”.

The announcement of Vyasa brought cheers in the minds of all. They waited with heavy expectation for the night to fall. Then all, including Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti and the Pandavas proceeded to the Ganga. They performed the evening prayers after bathing in the sacred waters of the river and waited for the miracle to happen.

Vyasa, who was waiting for the appropriate time for action, walked down into the river and called out to all who were killed in the war to rise and come out. There was a big noise at that time that arose from the waters of Ganga. All saw the veteran Bhishma and Drona come out alive accompanied by their huge army of soldiers who had died fighting the war. Karna, Duryodhana and all his brothers also materialized in person. So did the sons of Draupadi and all the Panchala princes. Each came out mounted on his own horse or in chariot, carrying his mast and other decorations.

Vyasa gave temporary sight to Dhritarashtra, and to Gandhari to see all without removing her blindfold. The war veterans arose with the glow of divinities appearing in person. Gandharvas appeared on the scene singing divine songs and the Apsara women danced to the tune.

Wives met their husbands and parents met their children. Arch enemies in war met each other as good friends, forgetting the past. All forgot that they had ever separated and enjoyed the night in the company of their dear ones. At day break those who came by the power of Vyasa knew that the time had arrived for them to depart. So, they started bidding farewell to their relations. They embraced each other and went back to the Ganga one by one and in groups. As everyone watched in surprise, those who were in their midst in body and soul sank into the waters of the holy river and disappeared.

Vyasa announced at that time, mainly addressing the widows of the deceased. “Those of you, who want to reach heaven where your husbands live, may take a dip in the river at this point of time.” Many were keen and took the permission of their relations. They, then, did as the sage told them. It is said that all those women left this world and joined their husbands in the other world.

Janamejaya was thrilled by the narration of Vaisampayana of this strange meeting between the living and dead. He also expressed a desire to meet his dead father, Parikshit, for once. It is said that the disciple of Vyasa, with the help of his teacher, fulfilled the desire of Pandava king at that time.

After returning to the hermitage of Dhritarashtra, sage Vyasa asked the king. “The Pandavas have been here for more than a month. Their duty lies in Hastinapura, looking after the affairs of the state. It is high time that they returned.”

Dhritarashtra, accordingly, called Yudhishthira to his side and said. “Today I have achieved a long cherished desire of mine to see my children once again. It is time that you go back to your palace now. Your duty as king and mine as an ascetic are both being disrupted by your being here.”

Yudhishthira was reluctant to leave his mother, uncle and aunt in the forest and return. But, both Dhritarashtra and Gandhari insisted that he should now go back. Kunti also persuaded her son to return to Hastinapura. Accordingly, all the Pandavas took leave of their parents and returned to their palace in the company of those who followed them to the forest.

The chapter on “the meeting with the Sons (putra darSana parvam)” ends here.