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.
“O Panginoon ng mga diyos! Anuman ang kalagayang natamo ng aking mga kapatid—mabuti man o masama—iyon din ang nais kong matamo. Bukod doon, wala akong pagnanais na pumunta sa ibang mga daigdig.” Nang marinig ang sinabi ng hari, si Indra—hari ng mga diyos, ang manlilipol ng mga lungsod—naantig sa habag at sumagot kay Yudhiṣṭhira sa banayad na pananalita.
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.