SPEAKING
TREE
Subject of curiosity
It remains a subject of curiosity and wonder as to what
happened after Lord Krishna left his earthly abode. What happened to the
Pandavas and what's the story actually?
Mausala Parva
In the 16th book of Mahabharata text, we get to know the
story. This parva has 9 chapters. Let's resort to this Parva and find out what
actually happened. There are lots of guesses and legends regarding the sequence
of events but we will try to stick to the authenticity of this Parva only.
The backdrop of the
story
After around 35 years of the completion of Mahabharata
war, the empire is peaceful and prosperous. However, the youth of Yadavas have
become frivolous and hedonistic. It's believed that Krishna's son Samba dresses
up as a woman and his friends meet Rishi Vishwamitra, Durvasa, Vashista, Narada
and other rishis, who were visiting Dwaraka for an audience with Krishna.
What would be the gender
of the baby
In his brashness and total immodest behavior towards the
revered saints, the young man playfully pretending to be a woman claims he is
pregnant, and asks the rishis to predict the gender of the baby.
Cursed by the Rishi
One among them notices the prank and becomes angry, and
in a fit of rage curses Samba will give birth to an iron bolt that will destroy
his entire race. The news reaches King Ugrasena. It was suggested that the bolt
should be powdered and cast away into the Prabhas sea. It was also ordered that
no intoxicating spirits shall be produced or distributed in the Yadavas
kingdom.
The curse shows its
effect
The ensuing effect of the curse brings many omens. The
Sudarshana Chakra disappears along with the Panchajanya, Krishna's chariot and
the plough weapon of Balarama. Sinful acts multiply too. Krishna advises that
they should go on pilgrimage to the sacred waters of the Prabhas sea. However,
on their return, the revel in merry making, dance and drink lots of alcohol.
They fight among
themselves
It is believed that Satyaki, inebriated with wine, goes
over to Kritavarma, criticizes him for scheming with Ashwatthama and killing
the remaining Pandavas army while they were sleeping. An argument occurs and
they start fighting and killing each other.
All die except
In the meaningless war, everyone inebriated with alcohol,
kills the other. Finally, Vabhru, Daruka and Krishna. Balarama survive.
Krishna also dies
Then, Balarama and Vabhru also die. Krishna asks Daruka
to go to Pandavas, tell what had happened and ask Arjuna to come with help.
Krishna also dies, and there's a separate story as to how he dies.
Vasudeva dies then
During his meditation, Vasudeva also dies. In the
meanwhile, Arjuna arrives with help, for the Yadavas old men, women and
children who are the only survivors. It's believed that there were 16,000 wives
of Krishna, and along with the old men and children, all of them set off for
Indraprastha.
Dwarka sinks in the sea
As they are leaving, waters rise and the city of Dwaraka
sinks into the sea. Meanwhile, the entourage on its way to Indraprastha is
attacked by Mlechhas and robbers.
The mighty warrior is
defeated
You would not believe but the mighty hero of Mahabharata
war Arjuna tries to defend but fails. His weapons fail him. Arjuna is full of
doubts and is depressed.
He meets Sage Vyasa
He immediately meets Sage Vyasa. He explains that the
task of Pandavas' birth is fulfilled and they should leave this world now.
Arjuna meets Yudhishthra
Arjuna immediately goes and meets his elder brother and
tells him what conspired. The Pandavas decide to leave their earthly abode
forthwith as they could not live in this world without Krishna.
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