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 said: Having covered the worlds with his fame, his splendor, and the wealth of his noble conduct, the Pāṇḍava attained his destined end in his own body; we heard of no other outcome for him.
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.