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” ।।
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.
“¡Oh Señor de los dioses! Cualquiera que sea el estado—auspicioso o funesto—que hayan alcanzado mis hermanos, ése mismo deseo alcanzar yo. Fuera de ello, no tengo deseo de ir a otros mundos.” Al oír las palabras del rey, Indra—soberano de los dioses, destructor de ciudades—movido por la compasión, respondió a Yudhiṣṭhira con voz suave.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
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.