Svargārohaṇa-parva Adhyāya 2 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry for His Kin and the Vision of a Punitive Realm
भीमं च भीमविक्रान्तं प्राणेभ्योडपि प्रियं मम । अर्जुन चेन्द्रसंकाशं यमौ चैव यमोपमौ
bhīmaṃ ca bhīmavikrāntaṃ prāṇebhyo 'pi priyaṃ mama | arjunaṃ cendrasankāśaṃ yamau caiva yamopamau ||
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «Anhelo ver a Bhīma—terrible en su poder y más querido para mí que mi propia vida—, a Arjuna, resplandeciente como Indra, y a los hermanos gemelos, Nakula y Sahadeva, invencibles como Yama. También deseo contemplar a la reina Draupadī, devota del dharma. No tengo el menor deseo de permanecer aquí; esta verdad os digo.»
युधिछिर उवाच
The verse highlights dharma as steadfast loyalty and truth: Yudhiṣṭhira values righteous companionship and moral bonds over personal reward, refusing to accept even heaven if it is separated from those to whom he is bound by duty and love.
Having reached the heavenly realm, Yudhiṣṭhira declares that he does not wish to remain there unless he can see his brothers—Bhīma, Arjuna, and the twins Nakula-Sahadeva—and also Draupadī. His insistence expresses both affection and an ethical refusal to enjoy bliss alone.