Mahabharata episode 77: The Final Departure

Summary

The Stories of Mahabharata: Episode 77 - The Final Departure

Host: Sudipta Bhomik
Release Date: February 24, 2025

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The Final Departure marks the concluding chapter of Sudipta Bhomik's captivating retelling of India's ancient epic, the Mahabharata. This episode intricately weaves the poignant farewell of the Pandavas, their arduous journey towards the heavens, and the profound lessons on duty, righteousness, and attachment.

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1. Stepping Down: Yudhishthir's Decision

The episode opens with Yudhishthir, the eldest of the Pandavas, addressing the citizens of Hastinapur. After 38 years of just and prosperous rule, Yudhishthir announces his abdication from the throne, entrusting the kingdom to his son, Parikshit.

Notable Quote:

"My dear people of Hastinapur, for the last 38 years I have been privileged to serve you as your King. Now I would like to step down."
— Yudhishthir [01:52]

Yudhishthir appoints Parikshit as the new king and assigns Kripacharya as his mentor. Additionally, Vajra, Krishna's grandson, is designated to oversee Indraprastha and the remaining Yadavas.

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2. The Pandavas' Renunciation

On an auspicious day, Yudhishthir and his brothers, along with Draupadi, don simple attire made from tree bark, symbolizing their renunciation of royal life. Despite pleas from the citizens to stay, they embark on a pilgrimage towards the heavens, leaving behind their kingdom and possessions.

Notable Quote:

"The Pandavas kept walking."
— Narrator [01:52]

Only a faithful dog accompanies them, symbolizing loyalty and purity.

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3. Trials on the Journey

As the Pandavas traverse various terrains, they face debilitating hardships that lead to the collapse of each member of the group:

• Draupadi's Collapse:
  Overcome by fatigue, Draupadi falls, leading Yudhishthir to rationalize her fall as a result of her favoritism towards Arjun. This moment underscores Yudhishthir's internal struggle with leadership and responsibility.

  "Draupadi was biased towards Arjun and loved him more than any of us and that's why she fell."
  — Yudhishthir [04:30]

• Sahadev's Fall:
  Sahadev succumbs to pride, believing himself the wisest, highlighting the perils of arrogance.

  "His pride was the cause of his downfall."
  — Yudhishthir [06:15]

• Nakul's Collapse:
  Nakul's pride in his appearance leads to his downfall, reflecting the theme of self-importance.

  "Nakul thought he was the most handsome and good-looking man."
  — Yudhishthir [07:50]

• Arjun's Struggle:
  Arjun's overconfidence and underestimation of others result in his fall, emphasizing humility.

  "Arjuna proudly claimed that he could destroy all his enemies in a single day."
  — Yudhishthir [09:20]

• Bhim's Fall:
  Bhim's indulgence in food and lack of appreciation for others' strengths lead to his collapse.

  "You were a glutton and ate too much."
  — Yudhishthir [10:45]

With each fall, the journey becomes increasingly arduous, testing their virtues and revealing their vulnerabilities.

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4. Encounter with Indra

Exhausted and alone, Yudhishthir is approached by Indra, the king of the gods, who offers him passage to the heavens. Yudhishthir requests to take the loyal dog with him, showcasing his unwavering sense of duty and compassion.

Notable Quote:

"This dog has been following me since I left Hastinapur. I cannot abandon him now and go to the heavens to enjoy myself."
— Yudhishthir [11:30]

Indra initially refuses, highlighting the exclusivity of divine realms and the separation between mortals and animals.

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5. The Test of True Righteousness

Determined, Yudhishthir embarks on a harrowing journey to be reunited with his fallen brothers and Draupadi. He ventures through hellish landscapes where he encounters his loved ones suffering, a testament to his deep sense of responsibility and love.

• Visiting Hell:
  Yudhishthir learns that his brothers and Draupadi are in hell due to their minor sins during their reign. This revelation emphasizes the inherent imperfections of even the most righteous individuals.

  "All human beings commit sin sometime in their life."
  — Indra [16:45]

Despite Indra's explanation, Yudhishthir refuses to leave his family behind, demonstrating his unparalleled dedication and selflessness.

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6. Divine Recognition and Acceptance

Recognizing Yudhishthir's exceptional virtue—wishing to bring a dog into heaven—Lord Dharma intervenes. Impressed by Yudhishthir's unwavering integrity, Dharma bestows upon him the unique honor of entering heaven in his mortal form. This divine acknowledgment underscores the episode's central theme: true righteousness transcends rituals and conventional expectations.

Notable Quote:

"You deserve to enter the heavens in your mortal body."
— Narad [17:30]

Finally, Yudhishthir is reunited with his loved ones in heaven, completing his journey of duty, sacrifice, and ultimate devotion.

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7. Themes and Insights

The Final Departure delves deep into the complexities of dharma (duty/righteousness), the burdens of leadership, and the enduring bonds of family and loyalty. Yudhishthir's journey exemplifies the Mahabharata's enduring lessons on the human condition, ethical dilemmas, and the quest for spiritual fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:

• Duty Over Attachment: Yudhishthir's choice to leave his throne and kingdom reflects the Mahabharata's emphasis on duty over personal attachments.

• Imperfection of Heroes: The fall of each Pandava underscores that even the most virtuous individuals possess flaws, highlighting the nuanced portrayal of characters in the epic.

• Unwavering Loyalty: The presence and ultimate significance of the loyal dog symbolize pure devotion and the importance of steadfast companions in one's journey.

• Divine Justice and Redemption: Yudhishthir's trials and Indra's final acceptance illustrate the balance between divine justice and the redemption of the righteous.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Yudhishthir's Announcement:

   "My dear people of Hastinapur, for the last 38 years I have been privileged to serve you as your King. Now I would like to step down."
   — Yudhishthir [01:52]

2. Draupadi's Collapse:

   "Draupadi was biased towards Arjun and loved him more than any of us and that's why she fell."
   — Yudhishthir [04:30]

3. Sahadev's Pride:

   "His pride was the cause of his downfall."
   — Yudhishthir [06:15]

4. Nakul's Vanity:

   "Nakul thought he was the most handsome and good-looking man."
   — Yudhishthir [07:50]

5. Arjun's Overconfidence:

   "Arjuna proudly claimed that he could destroy all his enemies in a single day."
   — Yudhishthir [09:20]

6. Bhim's Indulgence:

   "You were a glutton and ate too much."
   — Yudhishthir [10:45]

7. Yudhishthir to Indra:

   "This dog has been following me since I left Hastinapur. I cannot abandon him now and go to the heavens to enjoy myself."
   — Yudhishthir [11:30]

8. Indra's Revelation:

   "All human beings commit sin sometime in their life."
   — Indra [16:45]

9. Narad's Praise:

   "You deserve to enter the heavens in your mortal body."
   — Narad [17:30]

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Conclusion

Episode 77, The Final Departure, serves as a fitting culmination to Sudipta Bhomik's remarkable series on the Mahabharata. Through Yudhishthir's journey, listeners are invited to reflect on the profound interplay between duty, personal sacrifice, and the quest for spiritual liberation. The episode not only honors the timeless wisdom of the epic but also offers contemporary insights into leadership, morality, and the enduring power of loyalty and love.

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Stay tuned for more enriching narratives and deeper explorations of the Mahabharata in Sudipta Bhomik's subsequent works.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

The stories of Mahabharata Retold by Sudipta Bhomik welcome dear friends, to the last and final episode of the Stories of Mahabharata. In the last episode, we heard about Dhritarashtra and his family's Vanaprastha and their ultimate death. We also heard how the Yadavas destroyed themselves and how Krishna and Balaram left their mortal bodies. Yudhishthir performed the last rites of Krishna and Balaram. He then appointed Abhimanyu's son Parikshit as the King of Hastinapur. He called Subhadra and said, from now on, your Grandson Parikshit will rule the kingdom. I have appointed Kripacharya as his teacher I have also appointed Krishna's grandson Vajra as the ruler of Indraprastha he will take care of the remaining Yadavas. He then assembled his subjects and his ministers and announced. My dear people of Hastinapur for the last 38 years I have been privileged to serve you as your King. Now I would like to step down. My brothers and I have decided to leave the palace and the kingdom and proceed on foot towards the heavens. Our grandson Parikshit will take good care of you. The citizens were stunned to hear this. They cried please, please don't leave us. We will be orphans without you. Yudhishthir didn't listen. On an auspicious day the Pandavas and Draupadi discarded their expensive royal costumes and put on simple clothes made of tree bark the kind worn by monks. They worshipped the Gods and then left the palace on foot. The people of Hastinapur followed them and pleaded with them to turn back. The Pandavas kept walking. After a while the subjects gave up and returned to their homes. Only a dog kept following them. The Pandavas walked towards the east and crossed many provinces until they reached the banks of the Lohitya Lake. Arjuna carried his Gandhiva along as a habit. Suddenly one day the fire God Agni appeared to him and said Arjun, you help me burn the Kandava forest and cure me of my illness. And for that I fetched the Gandhiva from Varuna and gifted you the bow. You don't need it anymore. Please return it to Varuna. Arjuna took off his Gandhi and threw it into the waters of the lake. The bow sank and returned to Varuna. The Pandavas continued their trek. They walked past the submerged city of Dwarka and moved north towards the Himalayas. They crossed the foothills of the Himalayas and gradually entered a rough terrain that was full of rocks and boulders. The Pandavas no longer had the strength of their youth. The journey felt more arduous than they had imagined. From the rocky terrain they moved into a snow covered region. The climb was getting steeper and steeper as the five brothers Draupadi and the dog continued their hike. Blizzard winds swept across the mountainside making it extremely difficult to walk. Yudhishthir led the team as he trudged forward with a staff in his hand with Draupadi struggling at the tail end Bhim offered to carry her but she refused. Suddenly Draupadi couldn't take it anymore. She Collapsed to the ground, Snow began to cover her body. Bhim tried to scramble behind to help her, but Yudhishthir stopped him. Let go, Bhim. No need to pick her up, he said. Bhim was shocked to hear this. Panchali never committed any sin. She always followed the path of righteousness. Why did she fall? Draupadi was biased towards Arjun and loved him more than any of us and that's why she fell. Yudhishthir kept walking without showing any emotion. The five brothers and the dog continued their journey. Suddenly Sahadev collapsed. Bhim asked Yudhishthir, why did Sahadev fall? He was the nicest of all and he never expressed any pride. He always took care of us and respected us. Yudhishthi said Sahadeva thought he was the wisest of all. His pride was the cause of his downfall. A little later, Nakul collapsed. Bhim asked again, Nakul never did anything wrong. He always obeyed us and kept us on the path of Dharma. Why did he fall? Nakul thought he was the most handsome and good looking man, replied Yudhishthir, Bhim, leave him alone and follow me. Arjun was walking with great difficulty. The fall of Draupadi and his brothers deeply saddened him. He was thinking about them. Then suddenly his foot got stuck in a crevice and collapsed to the ground. Bhim was shocked. He asked Yudhishthir, arjun had no vice. He never ever uttered a lie, not even as a joke. How could he fall? Yudhishthir looked ahead and solemnly answered. Arjuna proudly claimed that he could destroy all his enemies in a single day. He couldn't do so. Besides, he always looked down upon and underestimated the prowess of other archers. He shouldn't have done that. A little later, Bhim fell too. With great difficulty he raised his head and asked, why me? Yudhishthir replied, you were a glutton and ate too much. Besides, you were too proud of your strength and never appreciated the strength of others. Yudhishthir didn't look back and continued his journey ahead with only the dog as his companion. Suddenly, with a huge roar, a golden chariot descended from above and halted in front of Yudhishthir. From the chariot, the king of the gods, Indra stepped out and said, yudhishthir, I have come to take you to the heavens. Come, get into the chariot. Yudhishthir bowed to Indra and said, o Lord, thank you for your kindness. Please allow me to take my brothers and my wife with me. On your chariot. They are lying here in the snow. Indra smiled and said, you don't have to worry about them. They have died and are already in heaven. Come with me and you will see them. Yudhishthir was about to mount the chariot but suddenly his eyes fell on his companion, the dog. He said, lord, this dog is my follower. I wish to take him with me to the heavens. Indra was surprised he wished to take this dog. You should be glad that you can enter the heaven in your mortal body. No human has ever achieved this feat. Forget the dog. Yudhishthir was adamant. This dog has been following me since I left Hastinapur. He has suffered with us but never abandoned us. I cannot abandon him now and go to the heavens to enjoy myself. Yudhishthir tried to understand. Dogs are not allowed in heaven, said Indra. They can ruin religious rituals, yajnas and spread filth and dirt. I cannot allow him to enter heaven. Then I won't go to the heavens either, said Yudhishthir. This dog is my friend and I cannot leave him here.

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[Narrator]

Dog had been listening to the conversation. Suddenly it transformed into Lord Dharma himself and said, yudhishthir, you are indeed a remarkable person. You are willing to give up the heavens for a dog. Nobody would do such a thing, not even in the heavens. You deserve to enter the heavens in your mortal body. Go with Indra and enjoy eternal bliss with your loved ones. Yudhishthir mounted the chariot and Indra drove him to the heavens. Narad welcomed Yudhishthir with open arms. Yudhishthir, we have been waiting for you. He said excitedly as soon as Yudhishthir entered. You are the best of the Bharata clan and indeed the most fortunate. I have never heard of a live mortal enter the heavens. You are the only one. Yudhishthir looked around and said, I don't see my brothers around. Where are they? I wish to be with them. Please take me there. Indra smiled and said, you have come to the heavens, yet you haven't let go of your earthly attachments. You should live where you deserve to live. Your brothers didn't earn the same rights as you did. Yudhishthir bowed to Indra and said, o Lord, I am what I am and I cannot abandon my brothers and my wife. I wish to live where they are. Please take me to them. Indra then asked one of his assistants to take Yudhishthir to his loved ones. Yudhishthir followed the assistant, who took him through a dark and smelly tunnel. Putrid smoke emanated from the fires around and filled the surroundings. The tunnel led Yudhishthir to the hells where sinners rotted in terrible pain. Yudhishthir asked, how long do I have to travel on this horrible path? Where are my brothers? Indra's assistant answered, are you tired? The Lord asked me to take you back the moment you felt exhausted. Yudhishthir felt he couldn't take it anymore. Just when he was about to turn back, he heard voices. O King Yudhishthir, please stay for a few moments. Your presence has brought us peace and solace and our pain has subsided. Yudhishthir asked, who are you? Why are you here? The voices replied, I am Karna. I am Arjun. I am Bhim. I am Nakul. I am Sahadev. I am Draupadi. Yudhishthir was dumbfounded. How could this be true? What sins had caused them to suffer in hell? He wondered. He cried out to the assistant, go back and tell your lords. I won't leave my loved ones. I will stay here and won't return. The assistant went back and reported this to Indra, who came to Yudhishthir. In a moment, all darkness disappeared. Indra smiled and said, yudhishthir, don't be upset. All kings need to visit hell. All human beings commit sin sometime in their life. Those who sin less visit hell first and then enter the heavens. You lied to Drona about Aswathama's death and for that you had to make this short trip through Hell. Your brothers, Draupadi and the rest of your family members have all been to Hell and now back in the heavens. Come with me and join them. Indra took Yudhishthiri to the heavens where he saw Karna, Bhim Sen, Arjun, Nakul, Sahadev and Draupadi waiting for him. His father Pandu was there too, so were Kunti and Madri. Bheeshma and Drona stood next to them. Yudhishthir smiled and walked towards them with his arms spread wide.

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The Stories of Mahabharata is written, directed and told by Sudipta Bamik Audio Engineering Original music and sound design by Avi Ziv Find us [e-mail] MahaBharataPodcast Join the group for updates and news. Subscribe to the podcast using itunes or any other podcast catcher on Twitter. We are Mahabharat Audio.

[Sudipta Bhomik]

Hi, this is Freddie Wong from Dungeons and Daddies and this episode is sponsored by Rocket Money Houston. Houston. We have a problem and that's to too many subscriptions that I don't know about because I like to put my credit card number into sites just for the sheer thrill of it. That's the fundamental problem of the Internet and money, and Rocket Money is here to solve that. Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions, monitors your spending, and helps lower your bills. You can see all those subscriptions that you've accrued over a lifetime of putting your credit card in on the Internet in one place. If you don't want them, just cancel them with a few taps. Rocket Money can help with that. Rocket Money has over 5 million users and has saved a total of $500 million in canceled subscriptions, saving members up to $740 a year when using all the app's premium features. Stop wasting money on things you don't use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to rocketmoney.com cancelsubs. That's rocketmoney.com cancelsubs not submarines. Acast powers the world's best podcasts. Here's a show that welcome Back to the OG's turn on my phone without.

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And now for some late breaking news. The podcast is also available as a book, Dwapar the Stories of Mahabharata, published by HarperCollins India.

[Sudipta Bhomik]

Sat.