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?

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

Who told Gandhari about the fall of Duryodhana?

Yudhishtira requested Krishna to meet Gandhari and inform her about the fall of Duryodhana. Krishna was an expert in speaking, hence he went to the Palace in his chariot and informed Gandhari and Dritarashtra about the fall of Duryodhana.

Krishna praised both Gandhari and Dritarashtra for some time on the night of the eighteenth night. When they heard the fall of Duryodhana, they started weeping. Krishna consoled them.

Since Duryodhana had announced it as a happy end for him, Krishna told Gandhari about the same and told her he was shining as the emperor till his last moment. 

What did Krishna tell to Kripa? 

Then, all the palace ladies started crying. Krishna later informed Kripa that the Pandavas would be coming to the Palace with their wives on the next day morning. It would be the nineteenth day morning.

Kripa had arranged to receive them all on the next day morning. Then, the war had ended so they tried to sleep peacefully.

What did Sanjaya do?

Ashwathama Parva is the eightieth upa parva included in the tenth maha parva, named Sauptika Parva. This is also called Ashwathama Nirgamaṇa Parva, since he departed after the advice of Krishna, and Ashwathama was given into the custody of Vyasa, whom he followed to learn moral ethics. Vaishampayana continued the narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Why had the Pandava brothers not returned to their camp on the seventeenth and eighteenth evenings?

On the seventeenth evening, instead of going back to their own army camps, the Pandava brothers went to an undisclosed hiding place as per the instructions of Krishna. By that evening, Karna had fallen, while Kripa was still alive since he was near the throne. Karna had already died following his own vows and the yoga of his lifetime. All the Kaurava brothers died except Yuyutsu and Duryodhana. The father of Yuyutsu was Dhritarashtra and his mother was Sughada, the maid-servant of Gandhari.

On the first day morning of the war, Yuyutsu had already joined the Pandavas’ side, leaving the Kauravas’ side. Since the entire Kurukshetra area was filled with blood-stained, wounded soldiers, holy people like Durvasa Rishi could not find a peaceful place to sit for their evening prayer. Some soldiers were given meat and pork to eat every day. It was noteworthy that the pigsty of livestock kept in underground cages was empty but without bloodstains. Bhima ordered hunted meats, with instructions to trace the missing Duryodhana. The butchery was done in the army kitchens only, and the wastage was neatly processed. Hence, near the Oghavati River, one pigsty was selected by Krishna for hiding and night resting for the Pandavas.

Aishika Parva is the seventy-ninth upa parva included in the tenth maha parva, named Sauptika Parva. Vaishampayana continued the narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What were the main contents of Aishika Parva?

The main contents of this Aishika Parva were three itemized subjects. First was to receive back the Aishika, a powerful weapon similar to the Brahmastra, including a Brahma Shira Mani, from Ashwathama. Second was to remove the curse on Ashwathama at the request of Uttara Kumari, wife of Abhimanyu. Third was to nominate a suitable person for the throne of Hastinavati palace as a later ruler after Yudhishthira. The inheritor to the throne was Prince Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna, nominated by Yudhishthira.

One weapon, called Aishikastra, was gifted to Ashwathama by Krishna at Dwaraka, but it was given to him due to the hard efforts of his father Drona. It was very noble and powerful, but he used it for unlawful violence, such as killing Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, and sleeping soldiers with a sword while they were resting at night in the camps. These actions were not suitable for a good person. Hence Krishna attempted to deprive Ashwathama of this weapon. The Brahma Shira Mani was also a divine, greatly prestigious item with him. Later, it was taken back from him and handed over to Yudhishthira at the desire of Draupadi.

Sanjaya was imprisoned as a war prisoner, but by luck he was set free. How?

अहमेकोऽवशिष्टस्तु तस्मान्सैन्यान्महीपते ।
मुक्तः कथंचिद्धर्मात्मन् वृष्णेः कृतवर्मणः ॥

Sanjaya was describing to Dhritarashtra the incidents of the seventeenth night. He was the only person alive after Kritavarma visited the war camp of the Pandavas. One charioteer of Dhrishtadyumna escaped just as Ashwathama was reaching there, and he ran to report to Yudhishthira, riding on his horse. Kritavarma freed Sanjaya, and he fled immediately to the Kaurava side camp to save his body and life. In the early morning, Sanjaya assessed the situation, but Bhima was then calling Duryodhana for the final mace fight near Dwaipayana Sarovara.

Why had Yudhishthira repented?

Sauptika Parva is the seventy-eighth Upa parva included in the tenth Maha parva named as Sauptika Parva. Vaishampayana continued the narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What was the unbelievable message as asked by Dritarashtra?

Bhima, having the power of a thousand elephants, had killed all hundred Kauravas in the war. Dritharashtra could not believe this message of Sanjaya.

When did the Sauptika Parva really take place?

Sauptika parva was reported to Dritharashtra on the evening of the eighteenth night after the fall of all Kauravas including Duryodhana. Sauptika means history and the happenings during the sleeping time.

On the seventeenth day evening and at night when Duryodhana had hidden under water, in order to satisfy him, Ashvathama had done heinous actions. With Kritavarma and Kripa as his commandos for his safety, in Sauptika parva, the description of massacre violence of Ashvathama were described. Really, Vyasa had described it as on the seventeenth day night incidences. The cruel role of Ashvathama was described here. Krishna had finally intervened and blessed Pareekshit to live till sixty years.

What did Ashvathama do in the evening after the death of Shalya?

Ashvathama had called Kripa and Kritavarm, rode on their horses into the forest and sat together under a tree. On the tree, one owl had killed many other innocent birds. Ashvathama desired similarly, to kill the remaining Pandava soldiers since Bhima had killed all Kaurava brothers with soldiers except Duryodhana.

Hence, he called Kritavarma and Kripa and returned to the Pandava camps where soldiers were sleeping. Kritavarma had waited outside with a sword. Kripa had shone the lamp for Ashvathama. Ashvathama had killed Shikhandi and his charioteer, and then moved towards Drishtadyumna but the charioteer had escaped from the back door. The charioteer had ascended his horse and rode to report to Yudhishtira about the violence.

Ashvathama had killed Drishtadyumna and all the five Upa-pandavas since the facial resemblances were alike Pandavas. Ashvathama had thought he had killed Pandavas but later Yudhishtira had instructed Arjuna and Bhima to capture Ashvathama alive. Yudhishtira had instructed Nakula to bring all ladies from Upaplava including Uttarakumari there.

Gadhayuddha Parva is the seventy-seventh Upa Parva included in the ninth Maha Parva, named as Shalya Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

When was there a mutual fight in the Mahabharata war?

अश्टादश दिनान्यद्य युद्धस्यास्य जनार्दन ।
वर्तमानस्य महतः समासाद्य परस्परं ॥

‘Today being the eighteenth day, O Janardana, the day for mutual fight has approached’. Arjuna was speaking with Krishna.

Arjuna and other Pandava brothers were spectators for the mutual fight between Bhima and Duryodhana. There was no soldier supporting with weapons on the eighteenth day but Balarama was the referee there. Balarama was away from the Mahabharata war but a most powerful warrior. Krishna had supported his pilgrimage and his impartial stand.     

What did Arjuna hint in the mace fight engaged by Bhima?

धनंजयस्तु श्रुत्वैतत्केशवस्य महात्मनः ।
प्रेक्षतो भीमसेनस्य हस्तेनोरुमताडयत् ॥

Meaning: Arjuna on hearing the words of great Krishna, had brought the attention of Bhima, during his fighting with Duryodhana, shown by slapping his own left lap, hinting him to blow the thigh with the mace. The Sanskrit of Vyasa is seen here. But the original verses were shuffled within the palm leaf bundles. Mahabharata war had been fought for eighteen days only as told by Vyasa.   

What did Vyasa tell to Yudhishtira at Upaplava that was remembered by him then?

उपप्लव्ये महर्षिर्मे कृष्णद्वैपायनोऽब्रवीत् ।
यतो धर्मस्ततः कृष्णो यतः कष्णस्ततो जयः ॥

Yudhishtira remembered the words of Vyasa since he had informed him at Upaplava about the success of the war, as Dharma it is Krishna, he follows it, and hence, where there is Krishna there is the success. Pandavas had won it by Krishna.

Who were absent in the Gadayuddha and what they were doing then? How was law and order observed automatically there?

Saraswatha Parva is the seventy-sixth Upa Parva included in the ninth Maha Parva named as Shalya Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Balarama had gone for pilgrimage. He started it before the start of the war. Balarama had advised Krishna to be impartial during the war but Krishna replied he would be aligned to the side of Dharma. Duryodhana had studied mace fight under Balarama along with Bhima.

During the pilgrimage, Balarama had visited the twelve Shiva kshetras and fifty two Devi kshetras. Balarama desired Dwaraka would be one such notified holy place similar to the well-known seven pilgrimage centers. So Balarama decided to return to Dwaraka finally calling Krishna from Kurukshetra, and travelled together.

After the sinking of Dwaraka island, a temple for Krishna was built at Puri. So Puri is similar or equivalent to Dwaraka in holiness. Separate deities for Subhadra and Balabhadra were also available with Krishna in Puri. In the Tirthayatra parva, more description about the holy places and rivers would be available. Balarama desired for a peaceful life and hence kept away from the war hoax.  

Why this Upaparva got its name as Saraswatha parva?

Saraswathi was a great holy river. The river banks consisted of many holy places and many Rishis. They were living in their hermits there. Balarama had visited almost all such places and Vyasa had given the detailed descriptions of them with many side stories. Hence this Upa parva got its name as Saraswatha parva.