Shloka 32
Adhyāya 3: Indra’s Invitation and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Refusal to Abandon the Dog
Svargārohaṇa Test
'देवेश्वर! मेरे भाइयोंको शुभ या अशुभ जो भी स्थान प्राप्त हुआ हो उसीको मैं भी पाना चाहता हूँ। उसके सिवा दूसरे लोकोंमें जानेकी मेरी इच्छा नहीं है” ।। राज्ञस्तु वचन श्रुत्वा देवराज: पुरंदर: । आनृशंस्यसमायुक्त प्रत्युवाच युधिछ्ठिरम्,राजाकी बात सुनकर देवराज इन्द्रने युधिष्ठिससे कोमल वाणीमें कहा--
deveśvara! mama bhrātṝṇāṃ śubham aśubhaṃ vā yo 'pi sthānaṃ prāptaṃ bhavet, tad eva aham api prāptum icchāmi; tad-vyatirikteṣu anyeṣu lokeṣu gantum mama icchā nāsti. rājñas tu vacanaṃ śrutvā devarājaḥ purandaraḥ ānṛśaṃsya-samāyuktaḥ pratyuvāca yudhiṣṭhiram.
“O Lord of the gods! Whatever auspicious or inauspicious state my brothers have attained, that alone I too wish to attain. Apart from that, I have no desire to go to other worlds.” Hearing the king’s words, Indra—the sovereign of the gods, the slayer of cities—moved by compassion, replied to Yudhiṣṭhira in gentle speech.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yudhiṣṭhira’s dharmic integrity is shown as unwavering loyalty and moral solidarity: he will not accept a privileged heavenly outcome if it separates him from his brothers, even if their destination is ‘inauspicious.’ Indra’s compassionate response underscores that true dharma is recognized and met with grace.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ final departure (mahāprasthāna), Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Indra, declaring he wants the same post-mortem state as his brothers and rejects other worlds without them. Vaishampayana narrates that Indra, hearing this, replies gently and compassionately to Yudhiṣṭhira.