We have reached the last of the celebrated eighteen books of Mahabharata, “the book of Ascension to Heaven (swargaarohaNa parvam)”. The main story ends with this fairly short book, consisting of a single chapter. The Mahabharata, as it is found currently, has three additional books which are extensive. The nineteenth goes into the lineage of the Kurus starting from the ‘beginning of creation’. The twentieth is exclusively the life story of Krishna. The famous epic, Mahabhagavata, is built around that and has deeply inspired various forms of art in later years. The last one, the twenty first, is futurology, a statement of the order of things in the final of the four epochs (Yuga), of Kali. Let us remember that the Mahabharata war took place at the end of the third epoch, of Dwapara.
Meeting with Duryodhana
The very first person whom Yudhishthira met in heaven was Duryodhana. That was something the Pandava king had not bargained for. He exclaimed aloud to the divinities around. “I do not want to be in a place where this wretched Kaurava lives. It was the doing of this man that cost the life of thousands of innocent princes and ordinary citizens. Please show me the place where I can find my brothers. That is where I want to live.”
It was the celestial sage Narada who responded to the outbursts of the Pandava king. “Oh, Yudhishthira! Heaven is not a place where you retain enmities of the past life. You are probably not aware that Duryodhana is the centre of adoration for all the heavenly beings. What matters most is that he lived and fought like a true king (kshatriya) and, at the end, died fighting without fear. Forget all that happened between you and him in the past. This is not a place to entertain hatred or rivalry.”
Yudhishthira was not pacified by the words of Narada. “If this is the place for Duryodhana who was responsible for the destruction of his entire race, then where will my valiant brothers be living who adhered to truth and righteousness throughout their glorious lives? Where will I find Satyaki and the sons of Draupadi? Please take me to that place. And, where will I find Karna?”
A glimpse of Hell
As he remembered Karna, Yudhishthira thought about the irony of fate that made his elder brother align with the arch enemy of the Pandavas. He thought aloud that the war would have been even more easily won with Karna siding with his younger brothers.
When Yudhishthira expressed his keen desire to be with his brothers the gods sent an emissary to guide the Pandava to the place where they lived.
Yudhishthira was led along a dark passage that appeared to be never ending. Foul smell emanated from all around. Filth and rotting waste filled the spaces. Blood flowed from dead bodies that were scattered here and there. Vultures and crows were seen roaming in large numbers over the rotting bodies. Flies, mosquitoes and other insects swarmed all around.
Water and oil were found boiling in large iron pots to mete out punishment to the sinners. Yudhishthira was disgusted with the sight and enquired. “How far do we have to go to find my people?” To that the emissary of gods replied. “Oh, king! You have reached your destination. I have been ordered to wait until you have concluded your tour.”
Cry for help
Yudhishthira was already fed up with the disconcerting sight and foul smell. He wanted to turn back. Just then he heard strange voices. “Please remain a little longer with us. Your presence gives us comfort in our sufferings.” Yudhishthira could not see any one. So, he asked in surprise. “Who are you all, and why are you staying in this dreadful place?”
Several voices sounded in his ears in response. “I am Karna”, “Here I am, your brother Bhima”. “Please look at me, I am Arjuna”. Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi, and all those who fought on the Pandava side spoke all at once, mentioning their names.
Yudhishthira was overwhelmed by the irony of fate. All his people who lead exemplary lives, holding firmly to Dharma were suffering in the abominable hell. On the other hand, Duryodhana who was the embodiment of all evils was enjoying life happily in heaven. Was he dreaming or was he under hallucination? Was the sense of justice of gods so perverse as to punish the righteous and reward the guilty?
Yudhishthira made up his mind and turned to the divine emissary. “Please go back and tell those who sent you that I am not leaving this place where my innocent bothers and friends are destined to stay.” The words of Yudhishthira were reported exactly as was told to Indra, the king of gods.
The changing scenario
In the very next instant Yudhishthira found Indra and other gods, including his own father, Dharmaraja, appearing in front of him. Bright light filled the place removing the pervading darkness. The foul smell was replaced by permeating fragrance. Gentle breeze blew bringing temporary solace to the aching heart of the Pandava. All the tragic scenes of hell disappeared from the sight of the gentle Pandava before he realized what was happening.
(To be continued)
