Pandavas on the mount Meghnad

Janmajeya said - Please tell me where my forefathers went. Which mountains did they cross? How did they reach the heaven? How did Yudhistira step into the heaven in his human form?
Vaishampayana said -
Having taken leave of Dhaumya, the Pandavas concentrated on the name of Krishna. They had a bath in the waters of Ganga rubbed their bodies with the mud from the river bed. They changed into fresh clothes and offered their prayers to the Sun God.
They crossed many mountains and forests and continued on their path, walking day and night. They met many sages on the way. They then reached the mountain called Meghnad. It was a wonderful sight. They saw many sages performing austere penances on the mountain.
On the mountain were rakshasas. They saw the Pandavas and went to their king. They said five men and one woman was coming their way. The woman was fit for the king.
The king came ready for battle.
The Pandavas suddenly found their path blocked by the rakshasas.
The rakshasa asked the Pandavas who they were.
Yudhistira said We are from the Lunar Dynasty, sons of Pandu. We have left our kingdom and going towards heaven. Allow us to go.
The rakshasa said Fight me first and then go. I have heard that Bhima and Arjuna are skilled in killing rakshasas. Let me see that skill. Once we have fought, I will let you go in peace.
The rakshasas, seeing their chance, forcibly dragged Draupadi away.
Yudhistira kept quiet.
Bhima said to Yudhistira - The rakshasas are dragging away Draupadi. Why are you quiet?
Yudhistira looked at the scared Draupadi.
Bhima was angry. With his mace not there, Bhima lifted a tree and began fighting with that. He asked the rakshasas to release Draupadi. With that he began swinging the tree, killing many rakshasas with that.
Seeing this, rakshasa king begged for forgiveness. He released Draupadi.
Yudhistira hugged Bhima and the Pandavas resumed their journey. 

Differences in the Parva between Vyasa and Kasidas

In this Parva, like many other, there is a difference between what Vyasa wrote and what Kasidas had.

1. Vyasa has two parvas, Mahaprasthanika Parva (The Book of the Great Journey) and Svargarohana Parva (The Book of the Ascent to Heaven) which is merged into one Swargarohan Parva.
2. The reasons for the deaths of the Pandava brothers differ between the two versions.
3. The dog, following Yudhistira, is mentioned much later.

Yudhistira's grief and decision to leave

Hearing these words of Arjuna, Yudhistira fell on the ground. Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva, Draupadi and Parikshita also could not control their grief. All started crying out, grieving for Krishna.

The one who saved us in Kurukshetra is no more. With the help of whom, Khandava was burnt, is no longer with us. He who saved us by being the charioteer of Arjuna, not with us. When Draupadi was being insulted and disrobed and her five husbands could not do anything, Krishna helped her. That Krishna is not there. He, who saved the Pandavas from the rage of Durvasa is gone. When we wanted to leave all after the war, it was Krishna who made us stay back and rule.

Yudhistira called his brothers and said There is no point staying here. We will go where Krishna has gone and be united with him. Call the brahmins and we will distribute our wealth among them.

Hearing this, his brothers said We will go where you go. You will lead us.
Draupadi said You cannot leave me. I am wedded to all five of you. I will also go along with you.

Yudhistira agreed. A messenger was sent to Mathura. Vraja was informed of this. Vraja came to them. Yudhistira crowned Vraja the king of Indraprastha and Praikshita was crowned the king of Hastinapura.

Then seeing an auspicious moment, the Pandavas along with Draupadi came out of the palace. They took leave of the Guru Kripacharya and the priest Dhaumya.

He said to his subjects - Do not grieve for us. Parkishita is now your king. He will rule and lead you. Support him.

Saying this, they took the name of Krishna and started east wards. Arjuna saw a tall man standing there. The man said He was Agni. He said he had come to collect the Gandiva and the inexhaustible quivers.
Arjuna gave that to Agni. Agni left and the Pandavas bowed to him and resumed their journey.

Arjuna gives the news to Yudhistira

Janmajeya said - Hearing this epic from you makes me feel blessed. Please tell me more of the creation of the great Vyasa.
The sage continued -

In Hastinapura, Yudhistira was seated on his gem studded throne. Bhima was holding the umbrella over him. The sons of Madri were fanning him. Suddenly Yudhistira saw ill omens. Jackals were howling in the day time. Vultures were crying and flying in the sky. Thunder could be heard but no clouds could be seen. People were restless and were fighting with each other.
Yudhistira felt restless. He was not sure what had happened. Arjuna was away in Dwaraka and there was no news of him. He decided to send a messenger to get news of Arjuna. He was thinking what to do, when he got the news of Arjuna's arrival.
Arjuna was taking the name of Krishna and had tears in his eyes. He was moving very slowly. Yudhistira wondered what had happened.
Yudhistira asked Why do you look so frail and weak? Daruka came to fetch you and after that I have no news of you or Krishna. Do tell me all is fine. I am seeing ill omens and I am not sure what to make out of those. Is it something that I did, because of which Krishna is angry with me? Was there a quarrel with Balarama? Without Krishna, the Pandavas have no identity.

Arjuna fell on the ground taking the name of Krishna.

Yudhistira said What have you done? Has Krishna forsaken us? Tell me how is Krishna? Why did Daruka come?

Arjuna said I do not know how to say this, but now the world is without Krishna. The friend of Pandavas is no more. Because of the curse, the people of Dwaraka fought with each other and killed themselves. All are dead. Balarama gave up his body. Krishna was resting under a tree and was killed by a hunter. All is lost now with the passing of Krishna. 

Arjuna defeated and the women turn to stone

Daruka said to Arjuna - The wives of Krishna are now your responsibility. Only you can protect them now. Please take them away. The ocean will soon engulf the city and all will be destroyed. Escape from here. I will retire into the forest.

Arjuna took Krishna's wives and started for Hastinapura. The ocean came into the city. Only a part of Krishna's palace was visible. Krishna had stayed on the earth for one hundred and five years.

Some Daityas saw Arjuna leaving with the women. They decided to capture the women. They all got together and attacked. Seeing this Arjuna picked up his Gandiva, the bow that he had got when he had burned the Khandava forest. He was barely able to life the bow. When he did manage to lift it, he was unable to string it. He was surprised. Arjuna tried to throw arrows at the daityas. The weapons struck them like blades of grass. Arjuna tried to think of the celestial weapons but he was unable to remember them. He remembered the weapon of Brahma but forgot how to invoke the weapon.

The daityas snatched the women and took off with them.

Arjuna spotted Vyasa and went to him. He said he was unable to protect anyone. He was unable to wield the Gandiva and the quiver that would never exhaust itself was empty.

Vyasa said All is the wish of Krishna. Do not go against that. Do not worry for the women of Krishna. The moment they are touched by the daityas/ robbers, the women will turn into stone and will be united with Krishna.

Arjuna wanted to know about that. Vyasa said In the court of Indra, lived the singing minstrels, the Vidyadharis. They were born on the earth as the wives of Krishna. Once they had gone for a bath in the Yamuna, when they spotted the sage Ashtvakra. Seeing the sage, they laughed at the sage who was very ugly and whose body was bent in eight places. Angry the sage cursed them to be abducted by the daityas. The women fell at the feet of the sage and begged for forgiveness. The sage said the moment they were touched by the daityas, the women would turn to rock and be united with their Lord.

Arjuna sees the body of Krishna

In Hastinapura, Druka met Yudhistira. He said Krishna sent his best wishes and was missing his best friend Arjuna and wanted to meet him. Daruka had come to fetch Arjuna.
The Pandavas asked Daruka to relax and be comfortable. Having seen all the dead Yadavas, Daruka was anxious to hurry back fast.
Yudhistira wondered why the charioteer of the Supreme Being was so anxious to hurry back. He asked Daruka - Why do you look so restless? How are the Yadava elders and great heroes doing? How is Krishna?
With folded hands Daruka said - I will tell you all in time. Please send Arjuna with me now. Krishna wants to see him.
Yudhistira gave permission.

Arjuna was surprised to Dwaraka. This was not the city he knew. It was quiet. No men were seen. Only women were around. All faces looked sad. Flocks of vultures and crows were flying around.

Arjuna spotted Vasudeva along with Devaki and Rohini. He went to them and bowing to them, asked what was the reason for this?
No one said a work. All they did was take the name of Krishna. Tears were flowing from their eyes.

Daruka said - If you want to see the Lord, please hurry. All the Yadava men are in one place.

Arjuna and Daruka arrived at Prabhasa. There Arjuna saw the dead Yadavas. He then spotted the body of Balarama and seeing that he began crying.
Then moving around, he went to the tree and there he saw the body of Krishna.

Arjuna went and lifted the body of Krishna in his hands. He began crying out. O Krishna. Where have you gone. You are the soul of all. How will I live without you. Whenever I came here, I was relieved and felt calm when I saw you. Where have you gone. You have Krishna and Arjuna are the same. How could you then leave me and go? Please look at me once and address me as your friend. You are lying on the bare ground and the sun's harsh rays are coming on your face. How will I go back to Hastinapura? What will I tell my brothers and Draupadi? I am unfortunate that I am alive when you are gone.

Daruka said to Arjuna - Please control yourself. Please perform the last rites for all the departed ones.

Piles of sandal wood was organized. Vasudeva, Rohini, Devaki and Revati, wife of Balarama, entered the pyre.

Arjuna performed the last rites of all.

Krishna leaves his mortal body

Praise to Krishna, who respecting Gandhari's curse, destroyed his own clan.

No one was alive there, except him. Krishna decided to give up his body. He sat down under a tree, one foot resting on the ground, the other crossed over, and pointed in the air.

Jara, the hunter, happened to pass by. He saw Krishna's foot and thought this was an ear of a deer. He used the arrow that he had crafted from the piece of the iron club, that he had got. The arrow struck Krishna.

Jara came rushing to fetch his kill. He was shocked to see Krishna, wounded by his arrow. Jara fell on the ground and began pleading for forgiveness saying he had no clue he would end up committing such a blunder.

Krishna said Do not worry. You have done nothing wrong. As Rama, I had gone to the forest to uphold the word of my father, Dasharatha. My wive, Sita, was captured by Ravana. Searching for her, I came across some vanaras. They said they were hiding because of Vali. I killed that Vali. You were Angada, son of Vali. After the war with Ravana was over, I wanted to give you something for your help. You had said you wanted to kill the one who had killed your father. Today your wish is fulfilled. Go to heaven.

With drums and musical instruments playing in the heaven, Krishna left his mortal body.