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.
“噢,天神之主!无论我兄弟们所至之境是吉是凶,我也唯愿得彼同境;除此之外,我不愿前往他界。”国王之言既出,天帝因陀罗——诸神之王、破城者——为慈悲所动,便以温和之语答复由提施提罗。
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.