Home > Indian History > Indian Puranas > Svargarohana Parva
Svargarohana Parva
Svargarohana Parva is the last Parva from among the eighteen Parvas of Mahabharata. It consists of only one sub-parva.

Share this Article:

Svargarohana Parva, 18 Parvas of MahabharataSvargarohana Parva is the eighteenth Parva of Mahabharata and it is also considered to be the last episode of the great Hindu epic. This episode is also known as the `Book of the Ascent to Heaven`. It deals with the final test of Yudhisthir and the return of the Pandavas to the spiritual world. From among the eighteen Parvas or episodes of the epic of Mahabharata, the Svargarohana Parva reveals the true character of Yudhishtir. This Parva narrates the tale of the renunciation of the throne of Hastinapur by Yudhisthir and his journey all over the country with his wife and his brothers before the final journey to heaven. However, Sahadeva, Nakula, Draupadi, Arjuna and Bhima fell down and died in their way towards heaven for the weight of their sin and Yudhisthir alone, accompanied by a dog moved further towards heaven.

With the onset of Kali Yuga and after the news of the death of Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama along with their entire race reached Yudhisthir, he understood that the time had come for the departure of the Pandavas and Draupadi for the heavenly abode. Thus Yudhishtir and his brothers retired, leaving the throne to their only descendant Parikshit, who survived the battle at Kurukshetra. Abandoning all their belongings and ties the Pandavas started their final pilgrimage in the Himalayas. Then the fall of Draupadi and the other four Pandavas except Yudhisthir, while climbing the peaks is described in this episode.

Yudhisthir and His Dog
When Yudhisthir was moving further with the dog after the fall of his four brothers and his wife Draupadi far behind, then Lord Indra, King of Gods, arrived to take him to the heaven in his Golden Chariot. But Yudhisthir desired to carry the dog with him to heaven since that creature accompanied him in all his good and bad times. But Indra objected to the wish of Yudhisthir and asked him to leave behind the dog. The son of Kunti stepped back and refused to leave behind the dog which was under his protection. Indra was greatly surprised at the behaviour of Yudhisthir. This Parva gives an account of the various questions asked by Indra regarding Yudhisthir`s not arranging proper cremations for his own brothers. Yudhisthir told to Indra that he would prefer not to go to heaven if the dog which he was accompanying was not allowed to be taken to the heaven. After hearing those words from Yudhisthir, the dog came to its original shape. The dog was Dharma itself and thus Yudhisthir; the righteous Pandava passed the test.

Yudhisthir entered heaven with the mortal form and there he saw his enemies. He saw those who fought against him in the great battle at Kurukshetra. He did not find his virtuous brothers or his wife Draupadi. Instead he came across Duryodhana and his evil allies. This Parva narrates that the four Pandavas and Draupadi were put into hell or Naraka because of their little sins and while Duryodhana was in heaven since he died at the blessed place of Kurukshetra. This episode also describes the life experienced by the four Pandavas and Draupadi in the hell. Thus, after seeing the plight of his brothers and his wife, the soul of Yudhisthir was mightily offended. After seeing his enemies enjoying in the Heaven, Yudhisthir ordered his guide to lead him to some other place. Then he heard the voice of his own people in Hell and turning towards the messenger, who had not yet left him, he asked him to take leave and also told him to inform the gods that he would stay with his brothers and his wife and his own people in Hell and would never return to Heaven where his enemies lived.

After getting orders from Yudhisthir, the messenger left the place and Yudhisthir remained alone, with head sunk on his breast, brooding in Hell on the fate of all the persons whom he loved. After a short period, and immediately the scene was changed and the sky above them became bright with the blowing of sweet air. Everything that was repulsive and foul disappeared. Then Yudhisthir looked up to find that he was surrounded by the gods who told him that his test was passed and he had reached heaven once more and there his brothers and his wife Draupadi was also present. Yudhisthir had to spend some time in Hell to test him and enable him to atone for his sin of using deceit to kill Dronacharya. The Svargarohana Parva of Mahabharata enhances the honest quality of Yudhishtir for his dharma and the final defining moment of the epic is the instance of divinity bowing down to humanity.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Puranas


Concept of Naraka in Vishnu Purana
Concept of Naraka has been discussed in the Vishnu Purana in an elaborate manner. It has been said that a person reaches hell if he commits an evil deed and the hell into which he reaches is determined by his actions.
Characters of Markandeya Purana
Markandeya Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Markandeya, Demon Mahisha, Dama, King Khaninetra and Khanitra.
Concept of Varna in Narada Purana
Concept of Varna in Narada Purana describes four basic varnas which include Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Varna has been classified as per deeds performed by them.
Characters of Padma Purana
Some of the Characters of Padma Purana are Vishnu, Rama, Sita and Shiva.
Characters of Brahma Purana
Brahma Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, Rama and Parvati.
Characters of Shiva Purana
Shiva Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Brahma and Krishna.
Adhyayas in Agni Purana
Adhyayas in Agni Purana are all encompassing. The chapters have dealt with a variety of subjects related to human lives. A large number of chapters have been dedicated to religious aspects of human life.
Ramayana in Agni Purana
Ramayana in Agni Purana has been described by Lord Agni in a vivid manner.
Puranic Deities of India
Puranic Deities in India are worshipped by the Hindus, they are of immense supremacy and are considered to be almighty.
Indian Puranic Tribes
The existence of Indian Puranic tribes is often mixed with mythology and fiction that depict them as superhuman or sub.
Puranic Texts
Puranic Texts are vital according to Hindu, Jain or Buddhist religion; they describe the history of the Universe.
Puranic Shaivism
Puranic Shaivism established during the Gupta Dynasty. This puranic religion developed and expanded, and was accompanied by the development of Brahmanical forms of worship. The stories of the Puranas spread rapidly through the singers and narrators.
Puranic Sources of ancient Indian history
In defining the ancient Indian history Puranic sources are indeed important.