The Untold Story of What Happened After the Mahabharata War
Mahabharata is one of Bharat’s greatest epics, isn’t just a tale of a colossal war; it’s a cultural foundation that continues to shape customs and behaviour today. We all know about the epic Kurukshetra war, but what happened after the war? Have you ever wondered what happened after the Pandavas won? Who survived? How long did the Pandavas rule Hastinapur? How did they finally die? Venture with us into the aftermath of the Mahabharata war, where the Pandavas’ post-victory journey unfolds with fascinating twists that leave an enduring mark on Bharat’s cultural legacy. Namaste and welcome to our channel Sanskriti Spectrum where we explore Bharat’s past present and beyond. Today we unveil the captivating conclusion to the Mahabharata, a story steeped in the rich Itihaasa of Bharat.
Post-War Rulership
With the Pandavas winning, they were crowned rulers of Hastinapur, with Yudhishthir as the king. Their victory marked the end of an era but marked the beginning of another chapter in their lives.
The Curse of Gandhari
The aftermath of the war was not all celebrations and joy. Gandhari, afflicted by grief and anger, cursed Lord Krishna, foretelling a painful demise for him and the entire Yadav clan, mirroring the fate of her own sons. This curse would set the wheels in motion for unforeseen events.
Gandhari was the mother of the Kauravas, who had perished in the war. She blamed Krishna for not preventing the war and for siding with the Pandavas. She unleashed her wrath on him, saying that he would witness the destruction of his own family and die a lonely death. Krishna accepted her curse calmly, knowing that it was his destiny to end the Dwapar Yuga and usher in the Kali Yuga.
The Decline of Dwarka
As the Pandavas governed Hastinapur for 36 years, Lord Krishna led an exodus of the Yadav clan to Prabhas. However, Dwarka was not immune to conflict. A violent rebellion erupted within the clan, resulting in the self-destruction of the Yadavas. The rebellion led to a tragic chain of events that would ultimately claim the life of Lord Krishna.
Dwarka was a magnificent city built by Krishna on an island in the Arabian Sea. It was home to thousands of Yadavas, who were his kinsmen and devotees. However, as time passed, they became arrogant and decadent, forgetting their dharma and loyalty to Krishna. They indulged in drinking, gambling, and fighting among themselves. One day, some Yadava youths played a prank on some sages by dressing up Samba, Krishna’s son, as a pregnant woman and asking them to predict the gender of his child. The sages cursed them that Samba would give birth to an iron rod that would destroy their entire clan.
The curse came true and Samba delivered an iron rod. The Yadavas were terrified and tried to get rid of it by grinding it into powder and throwing it into the sea. However, some pieces remained intact and washed ashore as iron arrows. The Yadavas collected these arrows and used them as weapons in their drunken brawls. Soon, they killed each other with these arrows, fulfilling Gandhari’s curse.
Lord Krishna’s Departure
In the middle of the chaos, a hunter’s arrow mistakenly struck Lord Krishna, bringing about his mortal end. He merged with Maha Vishnu, transcending the human realm. With Krishna’s passing, the purpose of the Pandavas’ lives drew to an end.
Krishna had foreseen his death and had instructed his brother Balarama to leave Dwarka and meditate on the banks of a river. Balarama did so and left his body as a white serpent. Krishna then wandered into a forest and sat under a banyan tree. A hunter named Jara mistook his foot for a deer’s ear and shot an arrow at it. The arrow pierced Krishna’s foot and caused him immense pain. Jara realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness. Krishna assured him that he had done no wrong and that it was all part of his divine plan. He then left his body and ascended to Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu.
The Pandavas’ Journey to Heaven
As the Dwapar Yuga came to a close and Kali Yuga dawned, the Pandavas decided to embark on their final journey. They crowned Parikshit as king and set out for the Himalayas, seeking heaven through penance. Along the way, Lord Yama, in the guise of a stray dog, joined them. One by one, they met their ends due to their desires, issues, and pride, with Yudhishthir being the sole survivor.
The Pandavas had fulfilled their duties as kings and warriors and had nothing left to achieve in this world. They renounced their worldly possessions and attachments and headed towards the Himalayas, hoping to reach heaven in their human bodies. A dog followed them silently, without anyone noticing. As they climbed the steep slopes, they faced many hardships and obstacles. Draupadi was the first to fall, followed by Nakula, Sahadeva, Arjuna, and Bhima. Each of them had a flaw that prevented them from reaching heaven: Draupadi was partial to Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva were vain of their looks, Arjuna was proud of his skills, and Bhima was gluttonous. Yudhishthir was the only one who remained steadfast and loyal to his dharma. He refused to abandon the dog, who revealed himself to be Yama, the god of death and dharma.
Yudhishthir’s Trial in Hell
At the gates of heaven, Lord Yama revealed his true identity and took Yudhishthir on a harrowing journey through the gallows of hell. There, Yudhishthir witnessed his brothers and Draupadi redeeming their sins. Eventually, Lord Indra granted Yudhishthir entry into heaven, reuniting him with his brothers and Draupadi.
Yama praised Yudhishthir for his virtue and integrity but told him that he had one more test to pass before entering heaven. He asked him to follow him to hell, where he would see the fate of his enemies and friends. Yudhishthir agreed and followed Yama to hell. There he saw the horrors of hellfire and heard the screams of agony of those who had committed evil deeds in their lives. He was shocked to see his brothers and Draupadi among them, suffering for their sins. He also saw some of his foes, such as Duryodhana and Karna, enjoying heavenly pleasures.
Yudhishthir was outraged by this injustice and questioned Yama’s judgment. He declared that he would rather stay in hell with his loved ones than go to heaven with his enemies. He also accused Yama of deceiving him by lying about the death of his sons in the war. Yama then revealed that it was all an illusion created by him to test Yudhishthir’s compassion and detachment. He said that none of his brothers or Draupadi were actually in hell; they had already attained heaven after a brief period of suffering. He also said that Duryodhana and Karna had earned their place in heaven by dying as warriors on the battlefield.
Yama then took Yudhishthir to heaven, where he was welcomed by Indra, the king of gods. He also met his brothers, Draupadi, Krishna, and other relatives and friends who had died in the war. They all rejoiced at seeing him and praised him for his righteousness.
Conclusion
The Mahabharata isn’t just an epic; it’s a timeless saga of triumph, curses, penance, and transcendence. The story that unfolds after the war is as captivating as the battle itself. Lord Krishna and the Pandavas, pivotal characters in this epic, left their mortal lives in ways both emotional and overwhelming. As they departed, they guided the people in the Kali Yuga, the era we inhabit today. Join us at Sanskriti Spectrum as we delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Bharat’s past, present, and beyond, uncovering the untold stories that continue to shape our world.
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