Yaksha Prashna: Dharma tests Yudhishthira Having felt great affliction on account of the abduction of Draupadi, king Yudhishthira, with his brothers, left the woods of Kamyaka and returned to the delightful and picturesque Dwaitavana abounding in trees and containing delicious fruits and roots. The Pandavas with their wife Draupadi began…
Yudhishthira releases Nahusha from a curse Having reached king Vrishaparva’s hermitage, while those fearful warriors were living in various wonderful woods, Bhimasena roaming at pleasure, with bow in hand and armed with a scimitar, found that beautiful forest, frequented by gods and Gandharvas. Then he beheld some lovely spots in…
Arjuna returns from Indraloka The Pandavas wait for Arjuna’s arrival Dwelling in that best of mountains, the Gandhamadana, the Pandavas, observing excellent vows, felt themselves attracted to that place, and diverted themselves, eager to behold Arjuna. Multitudes of Gandharvas and Maharshis gladly visited those energetic ones, of chaste desires and…
Arjuna kills Nivatakavachas and destroys Hiranyapuri When Arjuna had acquired proficiency in weapons, and gained Indra’s confidence, patting him on the head with his hand, Indra said these words, “Now even the celestials themselves cannot conquer you, what shall I say of imperfect mortals residing on earth? You have become…
Chitrangada and Vichitravirya After the nuptials were over, king Shantanu established his beautiful bride in his household. Soon after was born of Satyavati an intelligent and heroic son of Santanu named Chitrangada. He was endued with great energy and became an eminent man. The lord Santanu of great prowess also…
The destruction of the Yadavas and the end of Krishna-Rama avatars One day, in the thirty-sixth year after the Mahabharata war, the Vrishni heroes, Sharana among them, saw Vishvamitra, Kanwa and Narada arrive at Dwaraka. Afflicted by the divine rod of chastisement, those heroes, causing Samba to be disguised like…
Narada answers Yudhishthira’s questions about Karna Having offered oblations, of water unto all their friends and kinsmen, the sons of Pandu, and Vidura, and Dhritarashtra, and all the Bharata ladies, continued to dwell there on the banks of the sacred stream. The sons of Pandu desired to pass the period…
The Great Journey Having heard the particulars of the great slaughter of the Vrishnis, Yudhishthira set his heart on leaving the world. He addressed Arjuna, saying, “It is Time that cooks every creature in his cauldron. I think that what has happened is due to the cords of Time with…
Yudhishthira enters Heaven Yudhishthira is tested again in Heaven Arrived at Heaven, king Yudhishthira beheld Duryodhana endued with prosperity and seated on an excellent seat. He blazed with effulgence like the sun and wore all those signs of glory which belong to heroes. He was in the company of many…
Bhima fights with the Yakshas and kills Kubera’s friend Maniman The Pandavas travel to Vrishaparva and Arshtishena Once in Gandhamadana, remembering his brother Arjuna, Yudhishthira summoned all his brothers, together with Draupadi and said these words, “We have passed these four years peacefully ranging the woods. It has been…