After Kurukshetra – Section 8: The Swargarohana Parva
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Arrival at Heaven's Gate
With Dharma revealed as the faithful dog and Indra guiding him, Yudhishthira rode the celestial chariot toward the radiant gates of heaven. The air grew lighter, filled with fragrances unknown to mortals, and music of celestial instruments echoed across the skies.
The gods themselves marveled at the mortal king who alone among men was permitted to enter heaven in his human body.
But Yudhishthira's heart was heavy. His brothers, Draupadi, and Karna had fallen on the snowy slopes. He longed to see them again.
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A Shocking Sight
When Yudhishthira stepped into heaven, he expected to see Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi, and Karna awaiting him in bliss. Instead, he was greeted by Duryodhana, seated in splendor among the gods, bathed in celestial glory.
Yudhishthira's voice trembled with indignation:
> "How is this just? Duryodhana, who brought destruction to the world, who mocked Draupadi, who lived by envy and deceit, sits here in glory? Where are my brothers? Where is Draupadi? Where is Karna, the noblest of all warriors? Why are they not here?"
The gods answered:
> "Duryodhana died as a warrior, facing his enemy in battle. His valor earned him a place among the celestials. As for your brothers and wife, you will see them soon."
But Yudhishthira was unconvinced. His heart burned with grief and confusion.
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Journey Through Darkness
Guided by a celestial being, Yudhishthira was led along a path—not of light, but of darkness. The air turned foul, filled with the stench of decay. The ground beneath his feet grew rough, and cries of anguish echoed around him.
Soon he realized he had entered Naraka, the realm of punishment—hell itself.
There, in torment, he heard familiar voices calling out:
> "Brother! Save us!"
Shocked, Yudhishthira looked around and recognized them—it was Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi, and even Karna—his beloved companions, suffering in the flames of Naraka.
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The Great Dilemma
Yudhishthira was overcome with grief and rage. He turned to the gods and cried:
> "What justice is this? My brothers, who lived by Dharma, my wife who suffered so much, Karna who gave away everything he had—why are they in hell? If this is heaven, I want no part in it! I shall stay here with them, in their suffering, for where they are, there is my heaven."
The gods tried to persuade him:
> "O son of Dharma, this is but the law of the universe. All must face the fruits of their deeds. Your brothers and Draupadi bore pride, vanity, or desire in their hearts. For these, they endure purification."
But Yudhishthira refused to leave. He sat on the ground of Naraka, determined:
> "I will not abandon them. If this is their fate, let it be mine too. I shall share their pain."
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The Test of Dharma
At that moment, the darkness dissolved, the cries of agony ceased, and the foul air gave way to fragrance. Yudhishthira looked again—and the visions of hell had vanished. His brothers, Draupadi, and Karna stood before him in shining forms, radiant and freed of mortal suffering.
The gods spoke:
> "O Yudhishthira, this was but a final test. We wished to see whether you would abandon those you loved for your own comfort. You have proven your loyalty and compassion. Truly, you are Dharma incarnate. Now enter heaven with your kin."
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Reunion in Heaven
At last, Yudhishthira was reunited with all his loved ones.
Draupadi, radiant once more, stood as the eternal Shakti who had shared in their trials.
Bhima, strong and joyous, embraced his elder brother with tears.
Arjuna, freed from the burden of his pride, bowed to Yudhishthira.
Nakula and Sahadeva, no longer bound by vanity, smiled in peace.
Karna, shining brighter than the sun, greeted Yudhishthira with brotherly love.
Even the great heroes of the war—Bhishma, Drona, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkacha, and others—were seen there, their earthly sins burnt away, their souls now pure.
And above all, Krishna, resplendent as the Supreme Being, revealed himself in full glory. Yudhishthira and the others bowed before him, realizing that all along, he had been the guiding force behind their journey.
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The Cosmic Realization
In heaven, Yudhishthira saw the truth:
Life on earth was but a play of Dharma and Adharma, light and shadow.
Joy and sorrow, victory and defeat, were part of a larger design.
Even those who erred were not eternally condemned, and those who suffered were not forgotten.
Ultimately, all souls returned to the same divine source.
The war, the suffering, the victories, and the curses—all dissolved in the timeless ocean of existence.
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The Mahābhārata's Closing Vision
The epic closes not with triumph but with transcendence. The Pandavas' journey symbolizes the journey of every human being: from power and pride to renunciation, from loss to realization, from illusion to truth.
Yudhishthira's steadfastness—choosing loyalty, compassion, and Dharma above all—marks him as the true hero of the Mahābhārata.
The message of the final parva is profound:
Dharma is subtle. It cannot be measured by outward success or failure.
Compassion is the highest virtue. Even heaven is meaningless without love.
All life is a journey. From birth to death, and beyond, the soul seeks union with the eternal.
Thus ends the Mahābhārata—the story of humanity itself, with all its glory and weakness, finally resting in the embrace of the divine.
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