Asramawasika Parwa: The Journey of Dhritarashtra Towards Serenity

The Asramawasika Parwa depicts fifteen years of prosperity under the rule of Yudistira after the great war. The five Pandavas live in harmony with the surviving members of their uncle's family, with Yudistira carefully consulting with Dretarastra on matters related to governance.

A Prospering Nation After a War (Source: Private Collection)

Yudistira instructed the Pandavas not to cause further suffering to Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, who had already endured immense loss with the deaths of all one hundred of their sons in battle.

Yudistira wisely asked them to treat Dhritarashtra and Gandhari with respect and empathy, considering the deep sorrow they were experiencing. However, among all the Pandawa brothers, only Bima was unable to forgive the wrongs committed by their cousins, the children of Dretarastra, throughout their lives. Although Yudistira and his other brothers tried to hold back, Bima still couldn't set aside his vengeance.

Yudistira and the Pandava brothers (Source: Private Collection)

On one occasion, in a fit of rage, Bima harshly and roughly reminded the elderly Dretarastra of how he had sent all his strong and mighty sons to another world through the great war at Kurukshetra. Hearing such painful words, Dhritarashtra fell into deep sorrow and felt an increasing grief. 

Fifteen years have passed since the tragic events at Kurukshetra, and Dhritarashtra, along with his wife Gandhari, seeks permission from Yudhishthira to leave palace life and enter the stage of sannyasa, which involves renouncing worldly life and pursuing moksha or spiritual liberation, by living in the forest. At first, Yudistira did not agree with this request. I feel doubt and concern about Dretarastra and Gandhari's decision to leave palace life. However, thanks to the advice and persuasion of the sage Byasa, Yudistira finally agreed and granted the requested permission. Before they left the palace and began their journey to the forest, Dhritarashtra sent Vidura to Yudhishthira with a special message. Dhritarashtra asked Yudhishthira to provide everything necessary for him to perform the Sraddha ceremony to honor the spirits of the deceased Kauravas.

Drestarastra prepares to go to the forest (Source: Private Collection)

After the ceremony to honor the souls was completed, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti left the palace and began a new life in the forest. They were accompanied by Sanjaya and Widura, who also chose to join them at the Byasa hermitage.

A year later, the Pandavas decided to visit Dhritarashtra and his entourage in the forest. Widura did not say a word, but suddenly the energy from Widura's body left him and mysteriously transferred into Yudistira's body. After this strange event, Widura passed away. When Yudistira tried to cremate Widura's body, an unseen voice suddenly sounded and prevented him from continuing that action. Then, Byasa explained to Yudistira that Widura is actually the incarnation of Dharma, the god of truth and justice, who was born into the mortal world.

Byasa, who understood the immense sense of loss and sorrow felt by Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti, lovingly granted them the opportunity to see once more their sons and relatives who had fallen in the battle of Kurukshetra. A lament for the heroes who have fallen in battle, then emerging from the waters of the Bhagirathi River. Byasa even granted a heavenly vision to the blind Dretarastra, allowing him to see his deceased children. The Pandavas also met with Karna, Abhimanyu, and the sons of Draupadi who had died. After some time, the large group of spirits disappeared back to their respective realms, returning to where they were meant to be.

Two years later, Narada informed Yudistira that Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti had voluntarily passed away in a forest fire, after instructing Sanjaya to save himself. Narada comforted the Pandavas, who were grieving, by saying that their elderly relatives had found peace in the abode of the gods. Yudistira then performed the Sraddha ceremony for them.

Yudistira watches the Sraddha ceremony (Source: Private Collection)