Gomangala

Ashvamedhika Parva is the ninety-first Upa Parva included in the fourteenth Maha Parva named Ashvamedhika Parva. Vaishampayana continued the narration to Janamejaya, in reply to his queries, as follows.

What was advised by Vyasa to Yudhishtira on the banks of the River Ganga?

यजस्व वाजिमेधेन विधिवद्दक्षिणावता । बहुकामान्सवित्तेन रामो दाशरथिर्यथा ॥
यथा च भरतो राजा दौःषंतिः पृथवीपतिः । शाकुन्तलो महावीर्यस्तव पूर्वपितामहः ॥

Meaning: O Yudhishtira, please perform the Ashvamedha Yaga, observing the rules and the required donations, just as Rama, the son of Dasharatha, and Bhishma, your grandfather, had done. You may do it like Bharata, the son of Emperor Dushanta and Shakuntala, along with the donations and desired offerings. You were advised to do it similarly to your forefathers, as they were very energetic kings.

Was Emperor Bharata, son of Dushanta, a relative of the Pandavas?

Yes. Shakuntala was the mother of Bharata. Bharata was installed on the imperial throne in the Hastinavati Palace at a very young age, just after crossing nine years, being the legal heir after his father, Dushanta.

Bharata had performed 1,800 (one thousand and eight hundred) Ashvamedha Yagas. “न द्वादशी समं तिथिः” meaning: in the lunar calendar, the twelfth day is called Dvadashi, and it is always the most auspicious day. Even though Bharata was a young, unmarried prince, there were procedures, as well as experts in the ritual methods, to conduct the famous Ashvamedha Yaga. He received blessings from his efficient and able mother, Shakuntala.

Hence, on every Dvadashi day, Bharata conducted the Ashvamedha Yaga; in a year, he used to do it twenty-five times. Such Yagas were continuously done by him for more than seventy-two years, totalling one thousand and eight hundred Ashvamedha Yagas. He had crossed the age of eighty-two when he had witnessed one thousand full-moon nights.

People in India celebrate when they have seen a thousand full-moon days, and it is called Sahasra Chandra Darshana Yoga. Hence, after the completion of 1,800 Ashvamedhas by Bharata, without causing any war or violence, the Rishis named this nation Bharata Varsha. Later, Emperor Bharata became Bharata Muni.

Vyasa told this old reference to uphold the importance of preserving Sanatana Dharma forever, and also to honour the late Bhishma, the son of Ganga. He was consoling Yudhishtira after the war.

Why did Vyasa suggest to Yudhishtira to perform the Ashvamedha Yaga?

Yudhishtira was feeling very sorry about the Mahabharata war, due to the heavy loss of many lives and assets during the fighting. So, he fell unconscious on the banks of the River Ganga after walking a few steps.

Bhishma Swargarohana Parva or Bhishmarohana Parva is the ninetieth Upa parva included in the thirteenth Maha parva named as Anushasana Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What was the date and time decided by Bhishma for his Swargarohana?

माघोऽयं समनुप्राप्तो मासः पुण्यो युधिश्ठिर ।
त्रिभाग शेषः पक्षोऽयं शुक्लो भवितुमर्हति ॥

The date in the lunar calendar, to be prescribed then was, Uttarayana, Magha Masa, Shukla Paksha, Ashtami. Bhishma had not told the time to anybody, but decided his own time for his final journey into heaven.

That day was a pleasant one for all of the people who were silently observing the sunrise as well as the heavenly ascent of the soul of lying Bhishma, then and there.

Which place did Bhishma choose for his Swargarohana?

The battlefield Kurukshetra, where he was lying after the war, Bhishma decided.

How did Yudhishtira make arrangements for the Swargarohana of Bhishma?

Danadharma Parva is the eighty-ninth upa parva included in the thirteenth maha parva named Anushasana Parva. Vaishampayana continued the narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What was the story of Gautami, her son, Kaala, and Karma told by Bhishma?

Gautami was a lady sitting near a forest. Her son had died due to the bite of a serpent. Vyadha was a hunter; he searched for the serpent, tied it with a rope, and brought it in front of Gautami.

Vyadha asked Gautami how the delinquent snake should be killed. Vyadha was able to kill it by cutting it into many pieces or by cutting off its head with a sword. But Gautami was very patient and requested Vyadha to leave the serpent and let it go free. Vyadha accused the serpent very much. Gautami tried to convince him by telling him about time, the Kaala.

Then, Kaala appeared there as Kaalapurusha and explained his innocence in the killing of her son. Kaala explained that according to Karma phala, the snake had been induced to bite her son. Then, Gautami told that it was her own Karma phala (meaning the result of one’s own actions) that had put her into sorrow. So she should not kill the serpent and sin again. Non-violence was a better policy.

Later, Vyadha disappeared from there; her son got up as if from sleep, and there was no serpent also. The message was in support of life donation. Thus, Bhishma explained non-violence to Yudhishtira.

Why did Bhishma tell the above story to Yudhishtira, highlighting life donation?

Bhishma told the above story to Yudhishtira, highlighting life donation to the serpent and giving detailed explanations of Karma Siddhanta, to remove his sorrows that had arisen in his heart due to the war. Yudhishtira was frequently thinking about the war, as he was responsible for killing Karna and for Bhishma lying with wounds on the battlefield. ​

Bhishma had seized the young lady called Amba and denied her freedom of life. When Dushasana insulted Draupadi in the court session, Bhishma, due to the presence of acting emperor Duryodhana, kept silent, and so he deserved his sufferings and failures on the battlefield. Details about the past life of Karna are already available in the article Karma Siddhanta. For the resulting happiness or sorrows, one’s own past actions were the reasons. Hence, there was no need to feel sorry, and Bhishma consoled Yudhishtira.

What was the most famous recitation of Bhishma in this chapter?

Vishnu Sahasranama, or the thousand names of Vishnu in Sanskrit verses, was the most famous recitation. Under Anushasana Mahaparva, in Danadharma upa parva, this chapter of the Mahabharata was told by Bhishma to Yudhishtira before his Yoga Samadhi in Kurukshetra after the war.

Mokshadharma Parva is the eighty eighth Upa parva included in the twelfth Maha parva named as Shanthi parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What was Manki Muni Gita, told by Bhishma to Yudhishtira?

Manki Muni Gita is a side story told by Bhishma to Yudhishthira. There are three main characters in this story. The moral lessons are: the desire to acquire more money, the need to be deserving of that wealth, and the importance of having God’s blessings for it.

King Janaka, while tilling the land with a plough and yoke using two grown-up male calves, found a box containing the child Sita. The news spread quickly, and people began speaking of Janaka as a very fortunate king.

Manki Muni was a greedy man. He wanted to be rich and earn more money. He thought that if he also tilled the land with a plough and yoke, he too could become rich one day. He managed to get two grown-up male calves. Wanting to learn how to till, he put the yoke on the shoulders of the two bulls, tied the plough, and began walking over a very large, level field. The bulls were small but moved very quickly, and Manki Muni could not keep up with their speed.

At some distance, a big camel was resting, lying on the field. The two uncontrolled bulls tried to pass on either side of the camel while still joined by the yoke. When the yoke touched the camel’s shoulders, it was disturbed, stood up, and started to walk quickly. The two bulls were hanging on either side of the camel and, because their necks were tied to the yoke, both died after a few minutes from suffocation.

King Janaka was very happy in his palace, but Manki Muni was very sad in his field. He was inexperienced in his new trade and felt unlucky. Previously, he had forgotten God, but when he failed, he immediately remembered God. Bhishma told Yudhishthira that the third character in the story was God, and that Manki Muni learned the moral lessons.

Manki Muni abandoned his greedy desire for more money and performed penance. He became a devotee of God and led a simple life. Later he attained peace and became a rich man. He remained a Muni, not a Rishi.

In the Moksha Dharma Upaparva of the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, a few Sanskrit verses describing this side story are known as the Manki Muni Gita.

What were the ‘Acharas’ leading to Moksha as mentioned by Bhishma?

Apaddharma Parva is the eighty seventh Upa parva included in the twelfth Maha parva named as Shanti parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What did Bheeshma explain to Yudhishtira about difficulties?

Bheeshma spoke about items like peace treaty, escaping for self-defense and fighting in the war, with Yudhishtira. The treasury may get empty, the servants may cheat, and the ministers could help the enemies, Bheeshma told, are the various challenges. 

Between moral strength and physical strength, how did Bheeshma explain?

Bheeshma said that physical strength predominates over moral strength in worldly situations and that life must be carefully protected through self‑defense in times of danger. If life is preserved, then in the future, a person who is currently weak can later gain physical strength. Dharma follows the one who survives and continues to act.

Therefore, self‑defense should be the first consideration for any living being in this world. Strength is always honoured, and the weak are often neglected. Even if the prince is a child, if the ministers who rule on his behalf are strong, the kingdom can be said to be in a comfortable position.

How did Bheeshm appreciate the benefits of strength?

वश्यो बलवतां धर्मः सुखं भोगवतामिव ।
नास्त्यसाध्यं बलवतां सर्वं बलवतां शुचि ॥

If a person possesses strength, society respects him as one who upholds dharma. For the strong, almost nothing is impossible, and all actions appear justified. A man in danger can survive and regain strength through continuous effort. In the presence of the powerful, everything appears orderly, pure, and well‑maintained.

What is to be done in disastrous situations?

विज्ञान बलमास्थाय जीवितव्यं तथागते ।
सर्वं साध्वर्थमेवेदमस्वाध्वर्थं न किं च न ॥

Rajadharma Parva is the eighty sixth Upa parva included in the twelfth Maha parva, named as Shanthi parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

How many days were spent in anarchy and who was really ruling then?

On the seventeenth day afternoon, when Duryodhana had hid under the water in Sarovara, there was anarchy in Hastinavati. Balarama was ruling on the next day.

Yudhishtira ordered Bhima to capture Ashvathama. Then, Arjuna used Brahmastra against him for making him surrender, when Ashvathama engaged in massacre violence, lighting fire to the Pandavas’ army camps at night.  Yudhishtira had done what Krishna desired after the war. Krishna tried to avoid the situation of anarchy.

After the war, when and how did Yudhishtira enter the Palace?

After the war, on the nineteenth day, Yudhishtira was feeling uneasy to enter Hastinavati and Palace. Then Vyasa, Krishna, Devasthana Rishi, Narada and many Vedic people had requested Yudhishtira to enter Hastinavati and the Palace.

Vyasa had appreciated Bheeshma and told to Yudhishtira, as and when needed, he could be consulted and should be visited to enquire his comforts. Then, a special cart with sixteen bullocks was made ready there. Bhima took the reins. Arjuna held the white umbrella. Nakula and Sahadeva had acted as body guards. Yuyutsu ascended his horse and followed as back side security. Vedic people started reciting the Swastimantras and walked in front row.

The procession entered the Hastinavati front gate and then marched to the Palace. Krishna and Satyaki followed in a chariot from the back. Dritarashtra with Gandhari had been leading in the front sat inside the palanquin, escorted by servants. The ladies team also followed in many palanquins with many kings and soldiers following them. They were very happy. The citizens were happy to see and receive them. The Palace people also welcomed them.

The Palace was decorated to please Krishna and Yudhishtira. In the front, Dritarashtra with Gandhari were leading but Sanjaya was the charioteer carrying the royal materials belonging to Dritarashtra. 

Who was Charvaka? How did Krishna describe him?

Charvaka was a demon king and a friend of Duryodhana. Charvaka had conducted penance for many years and got boons to shine in this world with powers. He had not been killed in the war.

To please his friend Duryodhana, Charvaka had disguised as a Brahmin and appeared on the way to the Palace of Hastinavati. He started to condone Yudhishtira in a loud voice. He boasted that he was a representative of Vedic scholars. Yudhishtira became momentarily sad but immediately Krishna had recognized him.

Griha Parva is the eighty fifth Upa parva included in the eleventh Maha parva named as Stri parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Why did Yudhishtira repent on the banks of River Bhagirathi?

Yudhishtira had repented and fallen unconscious on the banks of River Bhagirathi since he had thought he was resp[onsible for the bloodshed in the war. Karna was his elder brother but he was killed. Shalya was his uncle, but along with many friends and relatives, had been killed in the war.

Yudhishtira would become the emperor but many people lost their lives during the war. After sprinkling water, he recovered. Bhima and Arjuna had escorted him to uplift and sit on the ground. He was telling war was bad and he desired to go for penance, and that he would go to the forests again.  

Who was Devasthana Muni and how did he pacify Yudhishtira?

Devasthana Muni was a silent Rishi. He was not talking when Duryodhana was ruling since he had no freedom of speech then. He disliked Duryodhana. He pacified Yudhishtira, by starting his speech. He loudly praised Yudhishtira.

How did Devasthana Muni explain about wealth and Yajna to Yudhishtira?

Devasthana Muni explained to Yudhishtira about wealth and Yajna. When the king engages in peaceful administration, his sorrows would vanish. War and defense were unavoidable for the protection of the wealth of the kingdom, he consoled him.

What was told by Narada Muni about Karna’s failures?

Jalapradanika Parva is the eighty fourth Upa parva included in the eleventh Maha parva named as Stri parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What was the main difference between Shraddha and Jalapradanika Parvas?

The contents of Shraddha parva dealt with the dead bodies in the funerals using fire by only the male livings people of the kings and soldiers of the war. The contents of Jalapradanika parva described the offering of water oblations in honor of the dead, on the banks of river Ganga using the holy water, by all the livings people of the kings and soldiers of the war.

The fire flames usually show, burning upward, symbolizing the soul entering in to the heaven. The water oblations usually show, pouring downward, symbolizing the physical remains entering in to the permanent earth. Then, the heart and body get purified gradually. 

On the side of the Kauravas army, who was alive and authorized to perform the water offering rituals after the war? 

Yuyutsu was the youngest of the Kauravas alive after the Mahabharata war on the side of Kauravas and he was authorized for the water offering rituals. He was very sympathetic. He had protested Dushasana in the court, while the dice game was played between Duryodhana and Yudhistira. He supported righteousness, frequently referring the phrase ॥ यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः ॥.

Before the commencement of the war, an option to accept the sides was provided by Yudhishtira, and Yuyutsu had entered the side of the Pandavas army. Please refer Bhishma Patana parva of this website.

It was Yuyutsu who initially named Yudhishtira as Dharmaraja. Yuyutsu had later ruled in Indraprastha, and helped Yudhishitra with his Ashwamedha yaga also.

Who was the mother of Yuyutsu? What happened to the land he ruled later?

The maid servant of Gandhari, named as Sugadha, was the mother of Yuyutsu. Dritarashtra was his father. He had ruled Indraprastha and got natural death. He had lived for one hundred and twenty years of age and after his death, the land he ruled was amalgamated with the land of king Parikshit of Hastinavati.

What was done on the banks of river Ganga?

Shraddha Parva is the eighty third Upa parva included in the eleventh Maha parva, named as Stri parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Who was the priest for Pandavas for conducting the Shraddha rituals?

Dhaumya Rishi was the authorized priest of Yudhishtira and the Pandavas. Kripa was to safeguard the throne inside the Hastinavathi Palace. Yuyutsu was the surviving son of Dritarashtra and all other Kaurava sons had died after the war.

Dhaumya was to crown Yudhishtira with Draupadi to the throne in the Hastinavathi Palace. Vrishaketu was the surviving son of Karna, and being a minor child, he could not participate in the war, and all Upapandavas had also died after the war. Hence Yudhishtira had arranged, with the help of Kripa, the last rituals on behalf of all dead Kauravas’ soldiers by the hands of Vrishaketu.

Drona was the cousin brother of Kripa and as per advice of Bhishma as well as the request of Kripa, Yuyutsu had done the last rituals of Drona also. He was a student of Drona and Kripa but then unmarried. All ladies of Hastinavati obeyed the instructions of Dhaumya.

What is the main content of the Shraddha parva?

Stri Parva is the eighty-second Upa Parva included in the eleventh Maha Parva, known as the Stri Parva. Vaishampayana continued his narration to Janamejaya in response to his questions as follows.

What did the ladies and Dhritarashtra do when Sanjaya announced the end of the war?

The palace ladies, led by Gandhari, and Dhritarashtra with his son Yuyutsu, set out to visit the battlefield, where the corpses had been mutilated by birds and animals and lay scattered across the Kurukshetra war ground. It was the morning of the nineteenth day. Relatives and inheritors of the fallen soldiers searched the battlefield for their loved ones, moving from place to place. By Yudhishthira’s order, the tents and camps were cleared, and people began to return to their permanent residences with their families.

The Pandava brothers, along with Krishna, heard of Dhritarashtra’s arrival with Gandhari and Kunti at Kurukshetra. Krishna greeted Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti on the way and saluted them, speaking in soft tones. Yudhishthira also welcomed them respectfully. Gandhari had tied a cloth over her eyes, but she could see the tips of Yudhishthira’s toes, which suddenly turned black.

Krishna, wise and perceptive, understood the feelings of both Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. Yudhishthira instructed his brothers to speak only kind words with the palace people and the ladies. Since Kunti was present, Yudhishthira also saluted her with his brothers. Krishna then greeted Gandhari with consoling, gentle words.

Where was Draupadi then?