Gomangala

Harivamsha Purana Khila is the ninety-ninth Upa Parva included as a single Maha Parva at the end of the Mahabharata. Vedavyasa Maharshi had taught all the Puranas to his disciples. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries at the Sarpa satra site of Takshashila. Later, King Janamejaya returned to Hastinavathi after the full completion of the ceremonies.

Ugrashrava was the son of Lomaharshana Rishi. He returned to Naimisharanya with his father, and he later conducted a Mahabharata satra there. After the end of the Mahabharata in that satra, the Harivamsha Purana was described in detail. Initially, he had heard it at Takshashila with his father. Generally, they were recognised as Suta Puranikas.

Why was Takshashila selected as the yaga venue for the Sarpa Yaga?

There were two main reasons for selecting Takshashila as the site for the serpent yaga. The initial one was the serpent Takshaka, and his species were abundant in Takshashila. Janamejaya desired to reduce the number of serpent species. The second reason was also genuine. Due to the flood, the palace buildings at Hastinavati were dilapidated, not suitable in strength, and the halls were damaged, raising questions about the safety and security of the lives of guests and audience.

During the period of Sarpa Yaga, the Hastinavati palace buildings were being renovated. The copies of the Mahabharata volumes were preserved in the various Palace libraries due to various reasons. Esteemed readers are requested to browse ‘Astika Parva’. 

What was the role of Astika in the Mahabharata?

Astika had cleverly stopped the violence in the serpent yaga of Janamejaya. More details of the curse of Kadru would be seen in the Astika Parva. Jaratkaru was the mother of Astika, and Kadru was his grandmother. The number of species of serpents in nature was controlled by him. Snake Adishesha was Balarama in his rebirth. 

Why is telling a special history with the name Harivamshapurana necessary? 

Swargarohana Parva is the ninety-eighth Upa Parva included in the eighteenth Maha Parva, named as Swargarohana Parva. The eighteenth Maha Parva has only one Upa Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What did Yudhishtira discuss with Narada when he greeted him in heaven?

Yushishtira intended to see Karna in heaven, but instead, he saw Duryodhana with high pomp and show, shining in heaven. Yudhishtira asked Narada for the location of his brothers. Then, one servant of Devendra had escorted Yudhishtira to hell, and he showed Karna and others lying in hell.

Why did Yudhishtira have to visualise hell?

Yudhishtira had been responsible for the death of Drona in the war. The announcement by Yudhishtira was a misleading statement about the death of the elephant Ashvathama.

Thus, he deserved to see hell as an illusion with Karna lying there. Devendra explained to Yudhishtira the principles of sins and virtues, to be experienced in hell and heaven with respect to the works done in life.

Why did Yudhishtira abandon his physical body in the river Ganga?

Devendra had shown the holy river Ganga to Yudhishtira and instructed him to take a bath in it to be deserving of seeing his brothers in the real heaven. Then, Yudhishtira had taken a dip in the river Ganga. He abandoned his mortal body and rose to heaven. Yudhishtira was happy; his soul had been put in heaven with peace.

How did the history of the Mahabharata end happily at Takshashila?

Mahaprasthanika Parva is the ninety-seventh Upa Parva included in the seventeenth Maha Parva, which is of the same name, Mahaprasthanika Parva. It has only one upa parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

How did the drowning of Dwaraka Island affect the Pandavas’ lives?

Krishna knew in advance about the drowning of Dwaraka within a few months and told Balarama. So Balarama went for his final penance on the mainland seaside. His two sons, Ulmuka and Nishatha, were advised to live in harmony, but due to the curse of Gandhari, in the internal uncontrolled war, all the Vrishni people of Dwaraka ended their lives, and the island was submerged under seawater.

Some families other than the Vrishni lineage, like the Yadu lineage, disbursed to other regions of India, like Puri and Mysore, before the drowning of the island, but they were very obedient to Krishna. Krishna advised Kripa to give a good education and install Parikshit on the throne of Hastinavati as per the desire of Yudhishtira.

Twenty years had passed after Kunti, Gandhari, and Dritarashtra had gone to heaven, leaving their mortal bodies, being very aged, and left their physical weak bodies in the natural forest fire, near the Ganga river banks. Yudhishtira was ruling for the last twenty years, after Dritarashtra had gone to the forest for his penance.

During the regime of Dritarashtra, Yudhishtira had ruled for fifteen years after the war. So he was ruling totally for thirty-five years after the war. After the crowning ceremony of Parikshit, the Pandava brothers had decided to start their final journey towards the Himalaya Mountain. Their final journey was named Mahaprasthanika. 

What did Yudhishtira do before starting his final journey?

Mausala Parva is the ninety-sixth Upa Parva in the sixteenth Maha Parva, named as Mausala Parva. There is no other Upa parva in this Maha parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What was Mausala, and who was responsible for it?

Mausala means a cast-iron piece or a hard rod. Mrityu means death, and Salaka means a hard rod or wooden stick. In total, a hard stick used for playing by the youth of Dwaraka was referred to as Mausala; it could be retold in full in Sanskrit, otherwise as ‘Mrityusalaka’.

It was a curse, attributed to a group of the youth, consisting of the children of Krishna of the Vrishni lineages and some others of the Andhaka lineages. A few Yadavas were also there. The curse was not due to the mistake of a single person in Dwaraka. The curse was from a group of short-tempered Rishi people collectively decided by them, but was not the reason of a single Rishi.

Whomever the person may be, it had caused the sorry end, added with the curse of Lady Gandhari, resulting in the perishing of Vrishnis, Andhakas and some of the Yadavas. Kritavarma and Satyaki had died due to the Mausala mingled curses.    

What were the symptoms of the end of the lives of Krishna and Balarama?

नदंतंपान्चजन्यंचवृष्ण्यंधकनिवेशने।
समंतात्प्रत्यवाश्यंतरासभादारुणस्वराः॥

During the blowing of Panchajanya conch, the sound of its echoes from the houses of Vrishnis and Andhakas had been heard like the donkeys were screaming with sadness. Many bad symptoms were seen, like the birds were moving to the left, and they signalled the end of Krishna and Balarama.

All the children of Krishna, except Vajra, the grandson of Pradyumna and Samba, belonged to the Vrishni lineage and their servants were considered as Andhakas. Then some Yadavas had started with Samba, shifting to the mainland area with their cows since the grass was insufficient for their daily life.

Being the final moments, due to the curse of Gandhari, Krishna and Balarama thought of a pilgrimage to the beach with his people and to have a sea water bath for Moksha. Vajra, being very young, relaxed and was allowed to remain with Vasudeva. The migrated Yadavas were living as sincere devotees of Krishna. Samba had carried with him the Syamanthaka Mani. 

What did Balarama order before leaving Dwaraka for penance?

Before leaving Dwaraka for penance, Balarama warned that alcohol would cause their end. Balarama issued an ordinance not to drink alcohol to the people in Dwaraka.  

Why did Dwaraka island submerge under the sea water? 

Naradagamana Parva is the ninety-fifth Upa Parva included in the fifteenth Maha Parva, named as Ashramavasika Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

When did Narada Maharshi finally visit Yudhishtira?

After two years had passed, Dritarashtra, Gandhari, Sanjaya and Kunti had gone for their old-age Vanavasa and penance, then Narada had visited Yudhishtira. It was the final visit of Narada Maharshi to Yudhishtira. Yudhishtira had enquired about the status of his mother Kunti, Gandhari and Dritarashtra, living in the forests. 

What did Narada Maharshi tell Yudhishtira?

Narada Maharshi had told Yudhishtira about a forest fire and the final passage of Kunti, Gandhari and Dritarashtra to heaven. Yudhishtira was consoled by Narada, and the news was shared with the other Pandava brothers and their palace staff. 

What did Dritarashtra request before going to heaven with Sanjaya?

गच्चसंजययत्राग्निर्नत्वांदहतिकर्हिचित्।
वयमत्राग्निनायुक्तागमिष्यामःपरांगतिं॥

‘O Sanjaya, go to a safe place where the fire would not burn your body. We have decided to be burnt here and go to heaven’.

Putradarshana Parva is the ninety-fourth Upa Parva included in the fifteenth Maha Parva, named as Ashramavasika Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What did Vyasa offer to Dritarashtra in the forest?

Before the start of the Mahabharata war, Vyasa had granted Sanjaya the divine capacity of vision to describe the war proceedings to the blind king Dritarashtra. In his old age, Dritarashtra started his penance in the forests, near the Ganga river bank.

One day, after the evening prayers, Vyasa appeared before Dritarashtra and told him he could offer him a boon. So Dritarashtra was free to ask for anything, and Vyasa would fulfil it.  

What were the desires or sorrows of Dritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti?

Vyasa could read the hearts of Driatarshtra, Gandhari and Kunti. Krishna had already announced the following verse in the Bhagavadgeetha before the war.

अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्त मध्यानि भारत ।
अव्यक्त निधनान्येव  तत्र का परि देवना ॥ 

Meaning (See Bhagavadgheetha, II-28): Before the birth, the body-life was spread in different Pancha Bhuta forms. After death, the mortal body would again spread into different Pancha Bhutas forms. Between the period of birth and death, the life in the people’s body is clearly manifested, so why should one feel sorry for death? Hence, nobody should worry.

Vyasa tried to console the people in the forest doing penance. Vyasa wanted to prove two things. As the first one, he desired to prove that the penance was wonderfully powerful. Secondly, he could show the dead persons, just as they had been when alive, in good health, just before their death, proving the soul to be ever permanent.

This would prove indirectly that all the incarnations of Vishnu, like Rama or Krishna, always manifested in this nature. Vyasa desired to make all living people happy. They desired to see their children and brothers who had died in the Mahabharata war. 

How was Dritarashtra able to see his sons at night?

Ashramavasa Parva is the ninety-third Upa Parva included in the fifteenth Maha Parva, named as Ashramavasika Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

How was Yudhishtira ruling in the Hastinavati Palace with Dritarashtra?

ततस्तेसहिताःसर्वेभ्रातरःपंचपांडवाः।
तथाशीलाःसमातस्थ्युर्धृतराष्ट्रस्य​ शासने॥

Yudhishtira was ruling in the Hastinavati Palace with the satisfactory administration of Dritarashtra since all the other Pandava brothers were assisting him. It continued for fifteen years.

The emperor was happy since Vyasa was visiting there frequently and speaking with them all. The name and fame of the emperor Dritarashtra then spread to all the nooks and corners of the world. 

न तां प्रीतिं परामाप पुत्रेभ्यः स महीपतिः । 
यां प्रीतिं पाण्डुपुत्रेभ्यः समवाप तदा नृपः ॥

The emperor (Dritarashtra) had received more affectionate treatment from the children of Pandu, but he had not received love from his own children before the war. Only Bhima was neutral in the proximity of Dritarashtra inside the Hastinavati Palace.

How did Yudhishtira arrange for the annual death days of all the Kauravas?

Yudhishtira was providing the required cash and stores as desired by Dritarashtra, and Yuyutsu was doing the rituals on the death anniversaries of the Kauravas. Yuyutsu was the youngest son of Dritarashtra. All the Pandavas and all the people under the administration of Yudhishtira were trying to make Dritarashtra happy. The opinions of Dritarashtra were honoured by Yudhishtira, and he was always supported. 

How did Yudhishtira arrange for the happy life of Gandhari after the war?

After the war, Yudhishtira had arranged for sufficient food, cloth and happy, healthy comforts of life for Gandhari with the help of Kunti and other Palace lady servants. 

What did Bhima do after fifteen years?

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

How many Upaparvas are there in the Ashvamedhika Maha Parva?

Ashvamedhika Maha Parva contains two Upa Parvas. They are Ashvamedhika Upa Parva and Babruvahana Upa Parva. In this second Upa Parva, the yaga was completed.

How were the preliminary preparations done, and how did it succeed?

Similar to the preparations done for the past Rajasuya yaga, the Pandavas had done the preliminaries under the guidance of Vyasa. Arjuna had moved to various directions to collect movable assets, wealth and food for the yaga ceremonies.

Arjuna had not interfered in the freedom of any kingdoms but assured, under Sanatana Dharma, absolute freedom to all, with law and order. Protection was guaranteed for life on the entire earth for the righteous. The horse was followed by Arjuna with protocol, but with few soldiers. Krishna had supported the Pandavas to conduct the Ashvamedha yaga, pleasing all the angels and people. 

Why did Krishna instruct Yudhishtira to conduct the Ashvamedha yaga?

Krishna knew that some of the minor children of the deceased kings would be crowned after the Mahabharata war ended. Out of the eleven Akshohini soldiers who visited Kurukshetra, none of them were alive, but the reserve troops in the respective palaces were protecting their kingdoms, with princes being babies. It was necessary for the smooth administration of Yudhishtira to invite them all, honour them as justified by law and orders by means of an Ashvamedha yaga.

Hence, for the purpose of Ashvamedha, Arjuna was sent with the ‘free-horse’ with a small troop of soldiers for protection. All the opposing kings were brought in line under his protection, removing their hidden misunderstandings. It was a subject of Krishna for satisfying Chitrangadha and Babruvahana. They were invited to Hastinavati.

Why did Arjuna become unconscious when his son Babruvahana had fought?

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?