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.
“Muôn tâu Chúa tể chư thiên! Dù các em ta đã đạt đến cảnh giới cát tường hay bất tường nào, chính cảnh giới ấy ta cũng muốn đạt đến. Ngoài ra, ta không có lòng ham muốn đi đến các cõi khác.” Nghe lời nhà vua, Indra—vua của chư thần, kẻ phá thành—động lòng từ mẫn, liền dùng lời dịu dàng đáp lại Yudhiṣṭhira.
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.