Mahabharat - The Greatest Epic

 

First of all Mahabharata or Jaya is one of greatest epics of World not alone India. It described as "the longest poem ever written which narrates philosophical and devotional aspects like way of living, purushartha etc.

It is divided into chapters or Parvs which are as follows (in chronological order) :

Adi Parva or The Book of the Beginning : Adi Parva has 19 sub-books and 236 adhyayas (chapters). Adi Parva describes how the epic came to be recited by Ugrasrava Sauti to the assembled rishis at the Naimish Forest after first having been narrated at the sarpasatra of Janamajeya by Vaishampayana at Taxila. It describes whole genealogy of Kauravas and Pandavas and also throws light on stories like : Janmajeya, Paushya, Sage Dhaumi, history of Pandava and Kuru princes. Story of Bhishma, Satyavati, Karna, Vasudeva, theory of life on earth and gods. Story of Drona, Krona and other sages. The romance of Dushyanta and Sakuntala, their love marriage, birth of Bharata. Sakuntala goes to Dushyanta with the boy, he first refuses to remember her and their marriage, later apologizes and accepts. Bharata becomes prince. Stories of Devyani, Puru, Yadu and the Paurava race of men. Story of Bhima and the Rakshashi Hidimbi, Draupadi's swayamvara, Construction of the city Indraprastha, Story about five sons of Draupadi, The rule of Yudhishthira - theory and role of effective kings and many such interesting stories.

1. Sabha Parva or Book of the Assembly Hall : It has 10 sub-books and 81 chapters. The book also details the principle of evil and crime against humanity, of why individuals who themselves have not been harmed must act regardless when society at large suffers systematic crime and injustice - this theory is outlined in the story of Magadha, where the trio of Krishna, Arujna and Bheem slay Jarasandha (Krishna explains why he should be killed, why human sacrifices by him must be stopped, Jarasandha's prisoners freed). It also describes construction of palace for Yudhishthira and his brothers, then the finished palace. Sages and kings are invited to celebrate the completion of palace. Narad’s description of theory of state craft for kings, how to find the most able people and make them ministers, how to train and take care of military, watch over enemies, rules of espionage, rules of war, support families of veterans who die or get injured at war, the support of farmers and merchants, care for poor and distressed in their empire, policies on tax, create incentive for Artha and prosperity, free trade, reward merit, pursue and punish criminal activities, deliver justice equally and without favor. Narada proclaims it is the duty of the king to serve the cause of Dharma, Artha and Kama in his kingdom and his advice to Yudhisthir to perform Rajsuya Yagya. It also describes the geography, tribes and various kingdoms as these brothers go in different directions to expand their empire. It also depicts death of Shishupal at hands of Krishna, Story of game of dice b/w the Kauravas and Pandavas and subsequent disrobing and humiliation of Draupadi and another game of dice following which Pandavas went to exile for 12 yrs and 13th year, unrecognized in some inhabited place, and if they are recognized in the 13th year they are found then they would go into exile for another 12 years.
   
   
   
2. Aranya Parva or Book of the Forest, is the third of eighteen parvas. It has 21 sub-books and 324 chapters . It discusses the twelve-year sojourn of the Pandavas in the forest, the lessons they learn there and how it builds their character. It also discusses other stories like: battle between man-eating demon Kirmira and Bhima, Krishna, his accomplishments in the past, the theory of forgiveness is debated between various characters - should one always forgive, never forgive, and forgive sometimes; when is it appropriate to forgive people or oneself, when it is not; what are appropriate and proportionate punishment? The chapters also discuss anger, how it is destructive to a person and to society at large, Arjun’s individual exile where he meditates and lives like an austere Rishi in the forest, to gain knowledge and his encounter with Shiva, disguised as Kirata and their battle with each other, which ends in draw subsequently Shiva reveals his true identity, Arjuna visits heaven where he is seduced by nymph named Urvashi to mate with her which he declines and subsequently she cursed him to become a eunuch which acted as blessing in disguise during 13th year of exile. It also shows Yudhishthir’s repent over his deeds where he declares himself the most wretched person on earth and Vrihadashwa consoles him with the story of Nala and Damyanti, another prince who erred by gambling, and recovered from his mistake, which inspires Yudhishthira to focus on the future. Narad’s advice to brothers to undertook Tirth Yatra thus this parva provides the benefits, directions and a list of tirthas - Kurukshetra, Ganga, Yamuna, Prayaga, Pratisthana, Brahmasara, and others. Pandavas start the Narada-recommended tirthas. The history of various gods is described. The parva includes the story of Ushinara, the pigeon and the hawk. It also describes other stories include king Janaka's sacrifice, king Somaka and his liberation from hell, how Bhagiratha brought Ganaga river to earth from heaven, the births of Ashtavakra, Mandhata and Rishyasringa, the journey of Bhima for celestial lotuses. Story of mighty snake, Nahusha who ties up Bhima. Yudhishthira searches for Bhima, finds him in snake's grip. The snake offers to free Bhima if Yudhishthira answers his questions. The snake and Yudhishthira ask each other questions. This is a discourse on Dharma, the theory of birth-rebirth, transmigration and how to achieve moksha, relative merit of four virtues (charity, kind speech, truthfulness and unenviousness), which virtue is better than the other? They discuss universal spirit and salvation from transmigration. The snake lets go of Bhima, is itself released from a curse, It also depicts depiction of all Yugas by Markandeya and offers contrasting views - both traditional and ritualistic, as well as knowledge and personal development - on vice and virtues, the relationship between self discipline, virtues and qualities (sattva, rajas and tamas), how these qualities enables one to achieve knowledge of the supreme spirit. It also depicts interesting story how Pandavas rescued Karna and Duryodhana when they were held captive by Gandharavas and how this act of kindness makes Duryodhana despondent, Vyasa’s instructions on morality through story of Rishi Mudgala which describes Parabrahma, a place of contemplation and Jnana Yoga, which is the path Mudgala chooses for his eternal emancipation. It also discusses Draupadi’s abduction by Jaydratha and his humiliation by Pandavas followed by his penanace to take revenge against the Pandavas. It also recites a short summary of Ramayana. Story of Savitri - a princess, and Satyavan - a hermit. The parva describes the story of Karna, how he was born to Kunti and deity Surya, why Kunti placed the baby in a basket and let him adrift on river, how she felt sorry afterwards, how baby Karna was found by Radha and reared by Adhiratha. Story of encounter of Pandavas with Yaksha where he interrogates Yudhishthira with 124 questions about nature of human life, necessary virtues for a happy life, ethics and morality. Yudhishthira answers the questions correctly. Yaksha revives Pandava brothers, and reveals himself as Dharma, awards Yudhishthira boons that will help the Pandavas in their 13th required year of concealed life.
   
   
   
3. Virata Parva : It has 4 sub-books and 72 chapters. It discusses the 13th year of exile which the brothers must spend incognito to avoid another 12 years of exile in the forest. They do so in the court of Virata. They assume a variety of concealed identities. Yudhishthira assumes the identity of game entertainer to the king and calls himself Kanka, Bhima of a cook Ballava, Arjuna teaches dance and music as enuch Brihannala and dresses as a woman, Nakula tends horses as Granthika, Sahadeva herds cows as Tantipala, and Draupadi maids as Sairandhri to queen Shudeshna. It also contains famous episode of Kichakvadh, where Kichak, the brother of queen lusts over draupadi and tries to molest her, eventually gets killed by Bhima in fierce duel, his death leads to speculation that Pandavas are in Virat kingdom so Duryodhana unleashes his spies to look for Pandavas after which Duryodhana and his army attack Virata's kingdom of Matsya. Prince Uttara, the son of Virata, attempts a response, but is afraid of war. Arjuna becomes the charioteer of Uttara. He and Arjuna enter the war. The parva then describes several battles, between Arjuna and Karna, Arjuna and Kripa, the battle of Ashwathama. Arjuna defeats the entire army and then invokes the hypnotic weapon against Duryodhana, Ashwathama, Kripa, Karna, Drona and Bhishma. In this parva Arjuna proves himself as the greatest archer in mahabharata. Everyone falls unconscious except Bhishma. Bhishma smiles and retreats. Prince Uttara returns victorious with wealth and Arjuna. It also depicts marriage of Uttara, princess of Virata and Abhimanyu.
   
   
   
4. Udyoga Parva or Book of Effort : It has 10 sub-books and 198 chapters. Udyoga Parva describes the period immediately after the exile of Pandavas had ended. The Pandavas return, demand their half of the kingdom. The Kauravas refuse. The book includes the effort for peace that fails, followed by the effort to prepare for the great war. Viduraniti, a theory of leadership, is embedded in Udyoga Parva . The Sanatsujatiya, a text commented upon by Adi Shankaracharya, is contained within the Udyoga Parva which is a treatise on spirituality, inward contemplation, and marga (paths) to liberation and freedom. Sage Sanat-Sujata insists that rituals and Vedic ceremonies are not the path to emancipation, ignorance is living death, it is true knowledge of universal self that emancipates; he suggests that gods are ordinary creatures who have realized that self knowledge. This view of human beings as creatures of unlimited potential, mirrors those found in the Upanishads. Craving for wealth, desire for fame and longing for power is a cause for misery. Knowledge, virtue and faith in fruits of action are a cause of contentment and throws light of futility of religious ceremonies and suggests knowledge is the only path to emancipation. It also depicts alliance formation and strategies for inevitable war, It also depicts encounter b/w Kunti and Karna and revelation of his real identity. This parva recites the story of Bhishma past exploits and a maiden named Amba, and how his emotional attachment means he can fight everyone but Sikhandin - a battalion commander in Pandavas side. It also deeply describes military formation of both sides and capabilities of each warrior in detail.
   
   
   
5. Bhishma Parva or Book of Bhishma : It is the sixth of eighteen books of It contains 4 sub-books and 124 chapters. describes the first 10 days of the 18-day War, and its consequences. This book of Mahabharata includes the widely studied Bhagvad Gita, sometimes referred to as Gita, or The Song of the Lord, or The Celestial Song. Bhagavad gita chapters describe Arjuna’s questioning the purpose of war and his lament to fight war, ultimate effects of violence and the meaning of life. Arjuna's doubts and metaphysical questions are answered by Krishna. Other treatises in Bhishma parva include the Just War Theory in ancient India, as well as strategies of war and troop deployment. It describes story of Vyasa granting boon to Sanjaya to describe Dhritrashtra about war proceeding whereby he also depicts the world. He mentions island nations, nations without kings, lands with white people, black people, mixed race people etc. Then he describes the planets seen at night, why they are believed to be globes, that light-giving sun too is a very large sphere according to calculations of Arka, eclipses occur when planets temporary cover the sun or moon (in short whole Geography!). It ends with fall of Bhisma on bed of arrows. It also vividly describes just war theory.
   
   
   
6. Drona Parva : It is the seventh of eighteen books of the Mahabharata and has 8 sub-books and 204 chapters. Drona Parva describes the appointment of Drona as commander-in-chief of the Kaurava alliance, on the 11th day of the War, the next four days of battles, and his death on the 15th day of the 18-day war. The parva recites how the war became more brutal with each passing day, how agreed rules of a just war began to be ignored by both sides as loved ones on each side were slain, how the war extended into the night, and how millions of more soldiers and major characters of the story - Abhimanyu, Jayadratha, Drona, Ghatotkacha - died during the war. It also depicts less known incident where Ashwatthama who just lost his father is upset and angry at the unjust death of his father. He returns to the battlefield and slaughters Pandava army. He uses weapons of mass destruction, so-called the Narayana weapon, in anger. The Narayana weapon has the power to kill everyone who is armed. Krishna realizes the power and scale of the Narayana weapon. He uses his god powers to tell everyone to throw down their weapons, thus saving the Pandavas brothers and their army. Ashwatthama tries to use other weapons of mass destruction as revenge for his father's death, but fails. Sage Vyasa appears and explains to Ashwatthama that he can no longer fight because he is abusing his powers and unjustly using weapons.
   
   
   
7. Karna Parva : It is the eighth of eighteen books having 96 chapters and describes the appointment of Karna as the third commander-in-chief of the Kaurava alliance. The Parva recites how war begins to tire and frustrate everyone, triggers angry shouting matches between Yudhishthira and Arjuna brothers who otherwise love each other. This book describes how brutal war leads to horrifying behavior over the 16th and 17th day of the 18-day War .It includes a treatise by Aswatthama which focuses on the motive of the deeds of human life. The crowning incident of this Parva is the final confrontation between Karna and Arjuna, in which Karna is killed due to curse of Parshurama.
   
   
   
8. Shalya Parva : It is the ninth of eighteen books of the Mahabharata. Shalya Parva has 4 sub-books and 64 chapters. Shalya Parva describes the appointment of Shalya (King of Madra empire and Uncle of Nakula and Sahdeva) as the fourth commander-in-chief of the Kaurava alliance, on the 18th day of the war. The parva recites Salya's death, how Duryodhana becomes mortally wounded after mace fight with Bhima where, Bhima flouts war rules and hit below belt on his thighs. In entire Kaurava army, only 3 survive. Shalya parva also describes how Pandavas are victorious in the war, but lament the enormous toll of the 18-day war on human lives on both sides. The book mentions the anger and hatred among survivors on the Kauravas side Aswttham, Kritvarma and Kripa.
   
   
   
9. Sauptika Parva or Book of the Sleeping : It is the tenth of eighteen books of the Indian Epic Mahabaharata. It has 2 sub-books and 18 chapters. Sauptika Parva describes the revenge of the three out of five Kaurava survivors -the fourth being Karna's son Vrishkethu, who was too young to fight in the war and Yuyutsu, The Kaurava's half-brother. Aswatthama argues the whole war was unfair, everyone was unfair, and revenge is the only release. In the night after the 18th day of the war, Ashwatthama takes revenge for his father's death during the war by going to Pandava's camp and unleashing weapons that kills all those who sleep. The only survivors are those who were not in the camp - the five Pandava brothers, Satyaki and Krishna.
   
   
   
10. Stri Parva or Book of the Women : It is the eleventh of eighteen books of the epic. It has 4 sub-books and 27 chapters. It describes the grief of women because of the war. The parva recites the grief of men too, such as of Dhritrashtra and the Pandava brothers. The chapters include a treatise by Vidura and Vyasa on passage rites with words of comfort for those who have lost loved ones, as well as the various fables . It opens with a statement of Dhritrashtra's grief at the death of all his sons and grandsons. Sages Vidura and Vyasa console his grief with a treatise on death and emotional loss. These chapters present the theory of birth-rebirth. Dhristrashtra and Kaurava women then visit the battlefield. The women express their grief from loss and question war - they criticize both sides for unleashing the war and death. It also describes how Dhristrashtra attempts to kill Bhima in retaliation for Duryodhana's death but fails because of an intervention by Krishna and then Dhristrashtra repents.
    
    
    
11. Shanti Parva or Book of Peace : It is the twelfth of eighteen books of Mahabharata. It has three sub-books and 366 chapters. The book is set after the war is over and the two sides have accepted peace and Yudhishthira starts his rule of the Pandava kingdom. The Shanti parva recites the duties of the ruler, dharma and good governance, as counseled by the dying Bhishma and various sages. The parva includes many symbolic tales such as one about "starving and vegetarian Vishvamitra stealing meat during a famine" and fables such as that of "the fowler and pigeons". The book also provides a comparative discussion between a rule of truth versus a rule of rituals, declaring truth to be far superior over rituals. Shanti parva begins with sorrowful Yudhishthira lamenting the loss of human lives during the war. He announces his desire to renounce the kingdom, move into a forest as a mendicant and live in silence. He receives counsel from his family and sages. Shanti parva is a treatise on duties of a king and his government, dharma (laws and rules), proper governance, rights, justice and describes how these create prosperity. Yudhishthira becomes the king of a prosperous and peaceful kingdom, Bhima his heir apparent, sage Vidura the prime minister, Sanjaya the finance minister, Arjuna the defense and justice minister, and Dhaumya is appointed one responsible to service priests and counsels to the king. This books also includes a treatise on yoga as recited by Krishna.
    
    
    
12. Anushasana Parva or the Book of Instructions : It is the thirteenth of eighteen books of epic. It has 2 sub-books and 168 chapters. Sometimes this parva is referred to as the "Book of Precepts". It continues the theme of Shanti Parva, a discussion of duties of a ruler, the rule of law, instructions on dharma for those close to the leader. The book debates the duties, behaviors and habits of individuals, with chapters dedicated to men and to women. Various types of marriages are mentioned and their merits compared. The parva also recites many symbolic tales and legends such as the legend of Nachiketa, as well as the death and last rites of Bhishma, the eldest member of the Kuru family. The Parva starts with a visit to Bhishma, who is dying. He is surrounded by sages and rishis . Yudhishthira asks for counsel and Bhishma replies. It includes duties of the king, officials of a kingdom, men and women. The book dedicates several chapters to cows, their importance to household's food security, agriculture and wealth. It also recites Vishnu Sahasranama - a list of 1,000 names (sahasranama) of Vishnu. Included in the list of 1000 names for Vishnu are Shiva, Sharva, Sthanu, Ishana and Rudra. This synonymous listing of Shiva and Vishnu as one, in Mahabharata, has led to the belief that all gods mentioned in Vedic literature are one.
    
    
    
13. Ashvamedhika Parva or Book of Horse Sacrifice : It is the fourteenth of eighteen books . It has 2 sub-books and 92 chapters. It begins with an advice from Krishna and Vyasa who recommend Yudhishthira to perform the Ashvamedhika cermony. Yudhishthira discloses that the treasury is empty because of the war. Krishna suggests mining gold in Himavat, near mount Meru. Yudhishthira proceeds with the effort to mine gold, fill his treasury and perform the Ashvamedhika ceremony. The book includes Anugita parva, over 36 chapters, which Krishna describes as mini Bhagvata Gita. The chapters are recited because Arjuna tells Krishna that he is unable to recollect the wisdom of Bhagavad Gita in the time of peace, and would like to listen to Krishna's wisdom again. Krishna recites Anugita - literally, Subsequent Gita - as a dialogue between a Brahmin's wife and Brahma. It also describes famous fable of mongoose which is as follows, A mongoose with blue eyes and gold colored on one side, appears during the final Aswamedhika stages of the fire yajna by Yudhishthira and other kings. The mongoose, in a thundering human voice, says, "O kings, this animal sacrifice is not equal to the tiny amount of barley by unccha vow ascetic." Yudhishthira does not understand, so asks the mongoose for an explanation. The mongoose tells them a story: Long ago, there was a terrible famine. The ascetic and his family had nothing to eat. To find food, the ascetic would do what people do - go to fields already harvested, and like pigeons pick left over grains from the harvested field to find food. One day, after many hours of harsh work, the ascetic finds a handful of barley grains. He brings the grains home, and his wife cooks it. Just when his son and daughter in law, his wife and he are about to eat their first meal in few days, a guest arrives. The ascetic washes the guest's feet and inquires how he was doing. The guest says he is hungry. The ascetic, explains the mongoose, gives his guest his share of cooked barley. The guest eats it, but says it was too little, he is still hungry. The wife of the ascetic hears the guest. She offers her own share of cooked barley, even though she too is starving. The guest eats that too, but said he still feels hungry. The ascetic's son and daughter-in-law give all their share of cooked barley too. The guest finishes it, then smiles and re-appears in the form of god Dharma. The god gives the family a boon and fills their home with food, saying that it is not the quantity that matters, but quality of care and love given one's circumstances. The mongoose asks if Yudhishthira is confident that his animal sacrifice would please the deity Dharma. Before Yudhishthira could answer, the mongoose disappears. The Rishis at the yajna ask if animal sacrifice is appropriate, or should they show compassion for all creatures. Some suggest that seeds of grain be substituted, and animals be set free. Listening to the discussion between the Rishis, king Vasu suggests in Ashvamedhika Parva, that large gifts from a sinful person are of no value, but even small gifts from a righteous person given with love is of great merit, which showcases compassion for animals and critiques utility of animal sacrifice.
    
    
    
14. Ashramvasik Parva or Book of Hermitage : It is the fifteenth of eighteen books of Mahabharata. It has 3 sub-books and 92 chapters. Ashramvasik Parva describes 15 years of prosperous rule by Yudhishthira after the war. The Pandavas and Kauravas have lived in peace, with Yudhishthira consulting with Dhritarashtra on matters of governance. Draupadi becomes friends with Gandahri, Vyasa and other sages visit the kingdom with their fables and wisdom. The parva recites the next two years when Dhritarashtra and Gandhari take Sanayasa (renunciation) and live a hermit's life in a forest. It also describes story where on the request of Gandhari, Kunti & other women, sage Vyasa with his powers, resurrect the dead warriors of Kurukshetra war for one night. It also describes the death of Kunti, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. Narada visits to console those in grief. Yudhishthira performs cremation rites for all of them.
    
    
    
15. Mausala Parva or Book of Clubs : It is the sixteenth of eighteen books of the Mahabharata. It has 9 chapters. Mausala Parva describes the demise of Krishna in the 36th year after the war had ended, the submersion of Dwaraka under sea, death of Balrama by drowning in the sea and an internecine fight among the race of Yadavas that kills many of them. The story of infighting of the Yadavas due to curse of Gandhari. This becomes the reason why Yudhisthira and all the Pandava brothers renounce their kingdom and begin their walk towards heaven, events recited in the last two books of the Mahabharata. Mausala Parva is significant for serving as a basis of archaeological studies for the Mahabharata, as well as being one of the eight Parvas found in Hindu culture of Java and Bali, Indonesia. The chapter begins with the announcement at the court of Pandavas that many Yadavas men were killed in an internecine war fought with clubs made of eraká grass. Yudhishthira asks for details. Mausala parva then recites the details. The events start near the city of Dwarka 35 years after the end of Kurukshetra war. the youth of Yadavas have become frivolous and hedonistic. Krishna's son Samba dresses up as a woman and his friends meet Rishi Vishwamitra, Durvasa, Vashishtha, Narada and other sages, who were visiting Dwaraka for an audience with Krishna. The young man playfully pretending to be a woman claims he is pregnant, and asks the rishis to predict the gender of the baby. One Rishi sees through the prank. In a fit of rage, he curses Samba will give birth to an iron bolt that will destroy his entire race. The youth inform King Ugrasena what has happened, who asks Samba to powder the iron bolt and cast it into the Prabhas sea. The king also issues an order that no intoxicating spirits shall be produced or distributed in the Yadavas kingdom. The town then witnesses several dark omens, including the disappearance of the Sudarshana Chakra, Panchjanya (Krishna's conch), Krishna's chariot and the plough weapon ofBalrama. Pests multiply. Sinful acts multiply, yet no one feels any shame. Wives deceive their husbands, and husbands deceive their wives. Everyone has the same terrifying dreams. People insult and humiliate their seniors and teachers. Krishna gets concerned, asks everyone to go on a pilgrimage to the sacred waters of the Prabhas sea. They do. When they arrive, the Yadavas revel in merry making, dance and drink lots of alcohol. Satyaki, inebriated with wine, goes over to Kritvarma, criticizes him for scheming with Ashwatthama and killing the remaining Pandavas army while they were sleeping. They begin to argue who did more wrong during the war. In the ensuing fracas, Satyaki kills Kritavarma. Other Yadavas kill Satyaki for killing Kritavarma. Krishna appears and noticing that Satyaki has been slain, takes the eraká grass in his hand, which miraculously becomes a club - it is with this club he begins to slay the violent. Others pick up the grass too, which transforms into an iron club in their hands. Everyone, inebriated with alcohol, attacks everyone else. Soon everyone who is battling is dead, except Vabhru, Daruka and Krishna. Balarama survives because he was not at the fracas, and not inebriated. Balarama and Vabhru die next. Krishna asks Daruka to go to Pandavas, tell what had happened and ask Arjuna to come with help. While Daruka was gone, the parva describes how Krishna was killed. Some of the powder cast in the Prabhas sea had been swallowed by a fish. Inside the fish, the powder has become a metal piece. Jara, a hunter, catches that fish and finds the metal. Jara sharpens it to make an arrow. He goes hunting, and accidentally shoots Krishna, while Krishna is meditating, thinking he is a deer. Krishna consoles Jara and then ascended with his four armed form to his abode. Vasudeva dies next while he is meditating. Arjuna arrives with help, for the Yadavas old men, women and children who are the only survivors. They, including the 16,000 wives of Krishna, together set off for Indraprastha. As they are leaving, waters rise, Dwaraka sinks into the sea. As women, children and the army of Arjuna walk towards Indraprastha, they are attacked by Mlechhas and robbers. Arjuna tries to defend, but he fails, his weapons do not work and exhaust. Many women and children panic and run off in different directions. The surviving yadavas continue with Arjuna and arrive at Indraprastha. Arjuna becomes depressed and full of doubts about his warrior abilities. He meets Vyasa, and explains he feels he has failed those that depended on him for their safety and security. Sage Vyasa explains that Arjuna and his brothers have served the purpose of their lives, it is time for them to retire and renounce their kingdom, give the responsibilities to the next generation. Arjuna takes leave of Vyasa, meets with Yudhishthira and tells them what had happened then Vyasa advises Arjuna and his brothers to retire and renounce their kingdom as the purpose of their life has been served. Arjuna informs Yudhishthira of Vyasa's advise. Draupadi and the brothers agree.
    
    
    
16. Mahaprasthanika Parva or Book of the Great Journey, is the seventeenth of eighteen book. It has three chapters. Mahaprasthanika Parva recites the journey of the Pandavas across India and finally their ascent towards Himalayas, as they climb their way to heaven on Mount Sumeru. As they leave their kingdom, a dog befriends them and joins their long journey. On their way, Draupadi dies first. Four of the Pandava brothers also die midway. Only Yudhishthira reaches Mount Sumeru. Their conversations, and reasons for not reaching heaven are described in Mahaprasthanika Parva. King Yudhishthira crowns Parikshita as the king of Hastinapur, in care of Yuyutsu. In Indraprastha, Yadava prince Vajra is crowned as the king. Then they start their journey of India and the Himalayas. The Pandavas first go south, reaching the salt sea. At the coast of the salt sea, deityAgni appears and asks Arjuna to return his bow. Agni says that this bow was given to him by the gods to fight the evil on earth. Now, that purpose has been served and so Arjuna should return the bow back to the gods. Arjuna returns his bow. They turn southwest visiting sites along the way. Thereafter, they head west to see Dwarka. They see it submerged under the sea, as described by Arjuna in previous chapter. The sight of a beautiful city submerged and dead, makes them depressed. They turn north, stop at Rishikesh, then cross the Himalayas. As they cross the Himalayas, Draupadi is the first person to die. Bhima asks Yudhishthira why Draupadi died early and couldn't continue the journey to heaven. Yudhishthira claims that Draupadi suffered from the vice of partiality, in her affections for Arjuna. The remaining Pandavas continue their journey. Next, Sahadeva dies on the way. Yudhishthira explains Sahadeva like his other brothers was virtuous in every respect, except he suffered from the vice of pride and vanity, thought none was equal to him in wisdom. The brothers continue on their way to Mount Meru. Nakula dies next. Yudhishthira explains that Nakula also suffered from the vice of pride and vanity, thinking he was the most handsome person in the world. Arjuna is the next person to die without completing the journey. Yudhishthira explains to Bhima, Arjuna too suffered from the vice of pride and vanity, thinking he was the most skilled, most powerful warrior in the world. Yudhishthira, Bhima and the dog continue forward. Bhima tires and falls down. He asks his elder brother why he, Bhima, is unable to complete the journey to heaven. Yudhishthira explains his brother's vice of gluttony who used to eat too much without thinking about the hunger of others. Yudhishthira and the dog continue their journey. In Chapter 3 of Mahaprasthanika Parva, as the dog and Yudhishthira continue their walk up Mount Meru, Indra appears with his chariot, suggesting he doesn't need to walk all the way, he can jump in and together they can go to heaven. Yudhishthira refuses, says he could not go to heaven with Indra without his brothers and Draupadi. Indra tells Yudhishthira, all of them after their death, entered heaven. Yudhishthira asks if his friend, the dog, can jump into the chariot first. Indra replies dogs cannot enter his chariot, only Yudhishthira can. Yudhishthira refuses to leave the dog. He claims the dog is his friend, and for him to betray his friend during his life's journey would be a great sin. Indra urges him to consider his own happiness, abandon the dog and hop into the chariot. Yudhishthira refuses to go into the chariot, explaining he cannot abandon the dog who is his companion, for his own happiness, while he is alive. The dog, watching Yudhishthira's commitment for his friend, transforms and reappears as deity Dharma. The deity Dharma then praises Yudhishthira for his virtues. Yudhishthira enters heaven on Indra's chariot.
    
    
    
17. Svargarohana Parva or Book of the Ascent to Heaven : It is the last of eighteen books of the Mahabaharata. It has 5 chapters. Svargarohana Parva describes the arrival of Yudhishthtira in heaven, his visit to hell and what he finds in both places. Yudhishthira is upset when he finds evil people in heaven and good people in hell. He demands he be sent to hell where people who love him are. The gods then reveal that their loved ones are in hell. Deity Dharma appears and congratulates Yudhishthira for always standing up for dharma and sends him to vaikuntha where he finds eternal bliss.