Epilogue of the Mahabharata

Many years passed by and Yudhisthira’s rule was still exemplary with dharma and religious principles. Krsna’s race of the Yadus, by the will of the Lord, became drunk and started to commit sinful acts. In this manner, the Yadu dynasty was destroyed. Lord Krsna’s desire and Gandhari’s curse have both been fulfilled. Lord Krsna’s elder brother, Balarama, and Krsna were the two survivors. Knowing that dharma is on the verge of destruction and knowing that the dark age is about to come, Balarama and Krsna found it suitable to end Their earthly pastimes. Balarama left before Krsna did. Krsna decided to relax on a tree. A hunter, named Jara, thought that Krsna’s foot was the head of a deer, so he shot the Lord’s foot. Even though Krsna cannot die, Krsna did this pastime to leave this world. Krsna’s departure sent bad omens to the Pandavas as their beloved friend had left the world.

Kali Yuga had started from that point onwards. The five Pandava brothers and Draupadi decided to retire from their hectic and turbulent political lives and go to the Himalayas. They enthroned Pariksita, the son of Uttara and Abhimanyu, as the new king of Hastinapura.

On the way, a strange dog accompanied the Pandavas and Draupadi. First, Draupadi died on the way. Then, Sahadeva passed away. Nakula and Arjuna passed away on the middle of walking up the mountain. Near the top, Bhima began feeling weak and then gave up his life. Yudhisthira was all alone with the dog and made it to the top, where an aerial car was awaiting him. Indra, the king of demigods, wanted to take Yudhisthira to the heavenly planets. Yudhisthira insisted the dog come too, as he has accompanied them. Indra scoffed at that idea; Yudhisthira decided to stay on earth and keep the dog company. The dog was actually the demigod of the death and the father of Yudhisthira, Yamaraja. Yudhisthira took many tests of his character before ascending the heavenly planets, which is beyond the effects of time, and material illness and suffering.