Adhyāya 3: Indra’s Invitation and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Refusal to Abandon the Dog
Svargārohaṇa Test
लोकानावृत्य यशसा तेजसा वृत्तसम्पदा । स्वशरीरेण सम्प्राप्तं नान््यं शुश्रुम पाण्डवात्
lokān āvṛtya yaśasā tejasā vṛttasampadā | svaśarīreṇa samprāptaṃ nānyaṃ śuśruma pāṇḍavāt ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Ayant recouvert les mondes de sa renommée, de son éclat et de la richesse de sa conduite noble, le Pāṇḍava atteignit la fin qui lui était destinée dans son propre corps ; nous n’avons entendu pour lui nulle autre issue.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
True greatness is measured not merely by power or victory but by character (vṛtta) and the radiance of dharmic life; such virtue becomes a fame that ‘covers the worlds’ and culminates in a fitting, destined end.
The narrator summarizes the Pāṇḍava’s culmination: renowned across the worlds for fame, splendor, and exemplary conduct, he reaches his final state; the tradition reports no alternative outcome for him.