Shloka 26
Svargārohaṇa-parva Adhyāya 5 — Karmaphala-Nirdeśa and Phalāśruti (कर्मफलनिर्देशः फलश्रुतिश्च)
तत्र त्यक्त्वा शरीराणि दिवमारुरुहु: पुनः । ताश्चैवाप्सरसो भूत्वा वासुदेवमुपाविशन्
tatra tyaktvā śarīrāṇi divam āruruhuḥ punaḥ | tāś caivāpsaraso bhūtvā vāsudevam upāviśan |
There, after casting off their bodies, they all ascended once more to heaven. Becoming apsarases, they returned to attend upon Vāsudeva (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), resuming their place in his divine service.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the idea that embodied existence can be temporary and role-based: after completing an earthly phase, beings may regain their prior celestial station. It also highlights devotion/service to the divine (Vāsudeva) as a continuing orientation even after transformation and ascent.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports that certain women, after dying (abandoning their bodies), ascend again to heaven and become apsarases. In that restored celestial form, they return to the presence of Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) and take up attendance/service near him.