Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.723

c5.723

13) The end of Dharmaputra. Soon after his return from the forest Nārada came to Hastināpura and told him of the death of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Kuntī and Gāndhārī in a wild fire in the forest. Lamenting deeply Yudhiṣṭhira performed the obsequies at Hastināpura. It was at this time that the Yādava dynasty perished and Dvārakā was sunk into the ocean. The Pāṇḍavas then crowned Parīkṣit as their successor and entrusted Yuyutsu with the administration of the State till Parīkṣit came of age. Vajra was appointed as chief of Indraprastha. The obsequies of Vāsudeva, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa were performed at Hastināpura. Kṛpācārya was appointed as preceptor to Parīkṣit. After having made all such arrangements the Pāṇḍavas commenced their Mahāprasthāna. The five Pāṇḍavas and Pāñcālī started from Hastināpura. A dog also followed them. Yudhiṣṭhira walked ahead. On the way, one by one, Pāñcālī Sahadeva, Nakula, Arjuna and Bhīmasena fell dead. Alone with a dog to keep company, Yudhiṣṭhira reached a plateau on the top of the Himālayas and there Indra was waiting for him with a chariot. But Yudhiṣṭhira said that he would not come to heaven without his wife and brothers. He was then informed that they had already reached heaven. Yudhiṣṭhira insisted that the dog also should be taken to heaven which Indra blankly refused. But Yudhiṣṭhira refused to ascend the chariot without the dog which, he said, had given him company from the start to the finish. The dog then changed itself into Dharmadeva and he complimented him on his sense of justice. When Yudhiṣṭhira entered heaven he saw Duryodhana sitting in all luxury and glory. Yudhiṣṭhira did not like it but Nārada pacified him. Yudhiṣṭhira saw all his relatives sitting there. A devadūta took him round hell also. When he heard the pitiable groans from there Yudhiṣṭhira thought his right place was with them. But Indra and Dharmadeva again consoled him. He was given a bath in Ākāśagaṅgā. He then lost his mortal form and his soul entered Divyaloka.