Mahaprasthanika Parva (The Book of the Great Journey)

Summary

The Mahaprasthanika Parva is the seventeenth book of the Mahabharata. Following the destruction of the Yadava clan and Krishna's departure, the Pandavas lose interest in the world. Yudhishthira crowns his grandson Parikshit as the King of Hastinapura and Vajra (Krishna's great-grandson) as the King of Indraprastha.

The five brothers and Draupadi, accompanied by a stray dog, set out on their final journey (Mahaprasthana) towards the Himalayas and Mount Meru to reach heaven in their mortal bodies. As they climb, Draupadi and four of the brothers fall and die one by one due to their subtle moral failings. Only Yudhishthira and the dog reach the summit. When Lord Indra arrives in his chariot to take Yudhishthira to heaven, he refuses to enter without the dog, citing it as a betrayal of a dependent. The dog then reveals its true form as Lord Dharma (Yama), praising Yudhishthira for his unwavering righteousness.

Key Events

• Coronation of Parikshit and the Pandavas' renunciation of the kingdom.
• Agni appearing and asking Arjuna to return the Gandiva bow to Varuna.
• The journey towards the Himalayas with the dog.
• The fall of Draupadi (partiality towards Arjuna).
• The fall of Sahadeva (pride in his wisdom).
• The fall of Nakula (pride in his beauty).
• The fall of Arjuna (pride in his archery skills).
• The fall of Bhima (gluttony and pride in his strength).
• Yudhishthira's refusal to abandon the dog for heaven.
• The dog revealing itself as Lord Dharma.