Svargarohana Parva

Svargarohana Parva is the eighteenth Parva of Mahabharata.It is considered to be the last Parva of the Mahabharata. It narrates the story of renunciation of throne of kingdom of Hastinapur by Yudhisthir and his journey with his wife and brothers all over the country before final journey to heaven. But in the end only Yudhisthir accompanied by a dog ascents to heaven as Sahadeva, Nakula, Draupadi, Arjuna and Bhima fell down and died in their way towards heaven for the weight of their sin. Therefore it is also known as the `Book of the Ascent to Heaven`.

Lord Indira, king of Gods, arrived to take him to heaven in his Golden chariot, but Yudhisthir wanted to carry the dog with him to heaven as the dog has accompanied him in all good and bad times. Indra objected to his wish, but Yudhisthir refused to relent. This is followed by an account of various questions asked by Indira regarding Yudhisthir not arranging appropriate cremation for his brothers and wife Draupadi. He told to Indra that if he did not accompany the dog to heaven , he would rather prefer not to go to heaven. Hearing this the dog came to his original avtar of Dharma and thus the righteous Yudhisthir passed the test.

Later in the episode Yudhisthir found himself surrounded by god who told him that he passed and test and had reached heaven once more and would found his brothers and his wife present. This Parva enhances the honest quality of yudhisthir for his dharma and finished with the instance of divinity bowing down to humanity.

External links

• English Translation Readable, with various research tools.
• Translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.