Indra and Yama trick Yudhistira

Traveling north, Yudhistira reached the mountain of Gandhamadana. Here he saw a wonderful linga of Shiva. Yudhistira bowed down and offered his prayers.
While he was happy to see the Shiva Linga, he was also sad that he would have to go on, alone. He sat there, weeping for Draupadi and his brothers. When he was sitting there, some Gandharva women came there. They said to Yudhistira - This is the second heaven. There is no place for sorrow here.
Yudhistira said We were six when we started, but now only I am there. The others have perished in the cold. I cry as I will not see them again.
The women said - Do not grieve. They have gone to heaven before you. You will meet them when you go to heaven. It is because of your good deeds that you have come so far. No ordinary person can come this far. If you wish, you can stay and rule here on the mountain.
Yudhistira said Krishna calls me and I am going on my way, towards him.
Going forward, Yudhistira came across the kingdom of the kinnaras. The kingdom was ruled by women. They asked Yudhistira to stay and rule there, but Yudhistira refused.Carrying on, Yudhistira came to a place which had many Shiva Lingas. Many women came to worship Shiva there. They were wearing white dresses and had garlands made of lotus on their bodies.
Hearing that Yudhistira had come there, all came to see him. Yudhistira bowed down to the sages who came to him, and they blessed him. Nearby, Yudhistira saw a lake with golden lotuses. There was a river there. The sages said A person who had sinned would not be able to cross the river and go on the other side. They called a boatman and asked him to help Yudhistira cross the river. Bowing down to the sages and taking their blessings, Yudhistira crossed the river.
From there what Yudhistira saw left him amazed, He could see the gates of heaven. No one was allowed inside without Indra's orders.
The gatekeepers saw Yudhistira and came to him. They said - We know you. Your father had shot a mating deer and because of that he was cursed and could not have children. He had come here to ask for a boon but that was not given. They had then gone back to the land of mortals, where children were born off the gods. They asked Yudhistira to wait while they informed Indra.
When this was announced, Indra decided to test Yudhistira. He took the guise of a priest and went to see Yudhistira. Yudhistira bowed down to the priest The priest asked who he was. Yudhistira said I am Yudhistira, son of Pandu from the lunar dynasty. Having seen the death of the dear ones in war, I have forsaken all and have come to heaven. Krishna has left the earth is back as Vishnu. I started my journey with my brothers and wife. In the icy cold, I lost my brothers and wife. I had made a determination that I will either go to heaven or die on the way.
The priest said I will take you and show you your brothers and wife. You will also meet the ones who died in the war.
When Indra said this, Yama took the form of a dog and came there. He started barking at the priest and then tried to bite him. The priest struck the dog with his stick. The dog appealed to Yudhistira for help.
Yudhistira, with folded hands, asked the priest not to hit the dog. The priest said the dog had sinned and needed to be punished.
Yudhistira said he would give away half his good deeds in lieu of the dog's life.

Hearing this both Yama and Indra took their own forms. Yudhistira was stunned. He bowed down to them. They asked Yudhistira to come with them while they took inside the heaven gates.

Bhima falls

Bhima asked Yudhistira - Why did Arjuna fall. Yudhistira said - Arjuna thought himself to be superior over all and was very proud. That is why he fell.

Bhima and Yudhistira proceeded further. They saw trees covered with ice. Somewhere, in the distance, they could hear the music of the heavens. 

Seeing a river, they bathed and offered water to the departed ancestors. When they had started their journey, they were six. Now only two were left. 

Yudhistira then prayed to Shiva in the form of Someshwar. Shiva blessed them. Seeing this, people approached Yudhistira and asked him to stay and rule there. They said they could see what would happen in the future. Bhima would also fall and he would have to go alone. What was the point in going. It was better if he stayed back.
Yudhistira said Do not say cruel words and let me proceed.
Saying that he and Bhima resumed their journey.
The cold was biting and soon Bhima, not able to continue dropped. The moment Bhima fell, the ground started shaking. Earthquakes came, the meditation of the sages was disturbed.
Yudhistira was devastated. Where have you gone Bhima. Your strength was unmatched. Who will now talk to me. Who will argue with me. You helped us when we were in the forest, by carrying us on your shoulders. You killed Hidimb and married Hidimba. You killed Bakasura and helped the brahmins. Killer of Kichaka and Jarasandha, where are you. You used to stay awake and guard us when we slept. You killed all the sons of Dhritarashtra and now you lie here.
Yudhistira cried the way Rama had cried when Lakshmana had fallen, struck by the spear of Ravana.
He then thought Why did Bhima fall. He realized that Bhima had fallen because he had lied to Drona saying his son was dead.

Passing of Nakula and Arjuna

The Pandavas proceeded on. Seeing a river, they bathed and offered water to the departed souls. On the west they saw a mountain called Chandrakali and they proceeded towards that. It was very cold and the Pandavas moved very slowly through the ice. They saw many idols of Gods and many sages praying there. They stood their for a while and offered their prayers. They saw Narasimha there, the one who had killed Hiranyakashipu. They bowed down to him, offered their prayers and procceded further.
At one time Nakula felt very tired and started sweating. He sat down on the ground. He then fainted and his body hiiting the rocks, he started bleeding. Then taking the name of Krishna, he took his last breath.
Yudhistira saw this. He started grieving - Nakula was a strong one. If he did not survive, the survival of the others was in doubt. How will I go leaving you behind?
Bhima asked Yudhistira the reason for this.
Yudhistira said - When Karna tried to attack me, Nakula was there. He could have fought and saved me. He did not do that, and for that he died today.
They left the body of Nakula behind and climbed up a mountain called NandiGhosha. It was a beautiful place. The three brothers rested for a while there and worshiped Krishna. They proceeded further and came to a place which was barren and full of ice. Suffering from cold, Arjuna fell. He took the name of Krishna and passed away.

Yudhistira broke down. The strength of the Pandavas is gone. Your wish of going to the heaven lies unfulfilled. You are the form of Vishnu and you won the worlds for me. You pleased the Gods and got weapons from them. You fought with and pleased Shiva and got his weapon from him. You got the great Gandiva from Agni. I cannot think that I will not see you again. 

Fall of Sahadeva

Leaving Draupadi aside, the Pandava brothers moved on. Crossing the river Ganges, they came to a mountain called Tamrachuda. This was a dry place with no vegetation. No animals lived there. They saw the abode of Rudra there. They were afraid to venture closer, so they prayed to Rudra from a distance and left.
They left and climbed a mountain called Krauncha. This was the point where Ganga and Yamuna entered the earth. The waters were crystal clear. There many sages were living, performing penances.

Seeing  this divine scene brought tears to the eyes of the Pandavas. They had a bath in the waters and then offered water to the departed ancestors.
Some of the sages asked the Pandavas to stay with them but the Pandavas said they had a set objective and needed to proceed towards their destination.

Going northwards they reached the place of Badari where they saw a Badri (Pipal) tree. Many sages were performing their penances under the tree. There Ashwatthama came to see them. He asked them to stay there. They would get to see Krishna there.
Yudhistira politely declined. He said he had taken a decision to go to mount Sumeru and thus go to heaven. Having made the promise, it would be a sin to break it, thus, he would proceed.
Ashwatthama then asked about Draupadi. Yudhistira said she had lost her life on the way. Hearing this, the son of Drona broke down.
Taking leave, the Pandavas proceeded till they came to mountain called Raivat. There they saw the divine river Reba. They prayed there and proceeded. On the way they came across a flock of mountain people. The people sensing danger started shooting arrows. Yudhistira began taking the name of Krishna and none of the arrows touched him. Seeing this, they left their weapons and asked Yudhistira who he was. Yudhistira said he was the son of Pandu and was on his way to heaven. Saying this, they left.

On the way, they saw Shiva being worshiped. They stood and prayed and then resumed their journey. The cold was getting very severe and not able to stand it, Sahadeva fell on the ground. Sahadeva knew he would last long, he started taking the name of Krishna and took his last breath.
Yudhistira began crying. Where have gone O brother, One who was an expert in astrology and numbers. You are the one who killed Shakuni. You were a beloved of Kunti.

After sometime, when Yudhistira had controlled himself, Bhima asked him the reason for the fall of Sahadeva.
Yudhistira said - Sahadeva was well versed and he knew about the past , present and future. He knew that if I played dice I would loose but he never warned me. When we went to Varnavrata, he never told me about the fire.

Saying this, Yudhistira resumed, followed by Bhima, Arjuna and Nakula. 

Death of Draupadi

The Pandavas on their journey northwards, saw a wonderful Shiva Linga on a mountain. They prayed there and went on. They came to a mountain called Bhadrakali. They climbed up and saw the Sun God riding on his chariot with seven horses, along with the planets. On the peak they saw Bhadrakali. She was dark and had a garland of human heads on her neck. She was decked in garlands of hibiscus flowers. Skinny, she was holding a sword in hand and her tongue was out of her mouth.

Yudhistira bowed down to her. He said - Mother please bless me. Be here always for all. Be awake. If you see anyone deviating from their path, teach them a lesson with your sword.

Pandavas stayed there for a while, roaming around the place. It was a beautiful place, with lovely trees and flowers. There were many beautiful women there. Off them, the most beautiful one was called Lilavati. She ruled a kingdom of women and hated men. When she saw the Pandavas she thought they had come to take over her kingdom. They caught Yudhistira. Yudhistira said - Do not worry. We have not come to take anyone's kingdom. The era of Kali is about to start. We are trying to get to heaven before that.
Hearing this, Lilavati was pleased. She asked Yudhistira to accept her. Yudhistira refused.

Going forward, the Pandavas saw the Shiva Linga called Bhadreshwar. They worshiped Shiva and then went forward.

Crossing this, they came to a mountain called Hari. It was a wonderful place, full of rich natural resources. The place was very cold. There was ice everywhere. Suffering from the cold, Draupadi was left behind. Not able to walk any further, Draupadi fainted. Knowing that her death was near, she took the name of Krishna and breathed her last breath.

All rushed towards her. Yudhistira took the lifeless body of Draupadi in his hands and started crying. The Pandavas grieved thinking of the days they had spent with her, from the time she was won by Arjuna and asked to marry the five brothers.

Finally, the Pandavas decided to leave the body of Draupadi and proceed further.

Bhima asked Yudhistira - What was the sin of Draupadi? Why did she not get to heaven?

Yudhistira said While Draupadi was married to us, she had special affection for Arjuna. That is the reason why she perished.

Bhima kills a rakshashi

The Pandavas resumed their journey northwards. They reached a mountain called Meghavarna. It was huge and terrible mountain. It rained there always. The clouds hovered over the mountain and terrible. There were five women there. Seeing Yudhistira they asked him who he was and where he was coming from. Seeing him, they wanted to be with him and asked him to stay there with his brothers, along with them.
Yudhistira said I have decided to go to heaven and I am on my way. Please bless me that I can go to heaven and see Vishnu.
Saying this, they proceeded northwards. A terrible rakshashi came their way. She was huge and seemed to be covering the sky. Seeing humans, she wanted to eat them.
Yudhistira said to Bhima - I am scared seeing this woman, who wants to eat us.
Draupadi was scared and she held on tightly to Arjuna.
They saw a sage there and asked who was this who was blocking their way to heaven. The sage said - There was once an apsara called Chitra. She was cursed by Durvasa to become a rakshashi. Her hunger was insatiable and she ate whatever she saw. She is the sister of the rakshasa Bakasura and if you have the strength kill her, else become her meal.

Hearing this, Bhima said to the rakshashi - I am Bhima. I am the one who had killed Bakasura.
Saying this, he broke off two parts of the mountain. He hurled one at the rakshashi. She gulped that. Bhima hurled the other piece and the demoness caught that in her hand. Bhima then uprooted a tree and hurled that. That had no effect on her. Then taking the name of Krishna, Bhima took a huge rock and hurled that. The rakshashi caught that in her left hand.
Bhima then started remembering Pavan, his father. Pavan gave his power to Bhima. Bhima uprooted a tree and with that he broke the rakshashi's nose. She fell on the ground, shivering in pain. Bhima, then jumped up on her chest. Taking a tree, Bhima inserted it in her nose and pushed it till it came out of the other side of her head.He then began pounding her, breaking all her bones, till she was reduced to a lump of flesh. Picking up the lump of the flesh, Bhima swung it and released it in the air. The flesh went and fell in the southern sea.

They then resumed their journey.

The Pandavas at Kedarnath

The Pandavas went northwards. They reached a place which was ruled by Shiva, in the form of Danaveshwar. On his crown was a gem that glowed in darkness. In the land was a beautiful lake, where swans swam. Seeing that lake, the Pandavas bathed their and offered their prayers.
Getting up from the lake, they went and bowed down before Shiva. They asked for his blesseings such that they could be united with Krishna.
They then resumed their journey. They came across another lake. They bathed there. This was a border of the mount Meghnad. From here, the Pandavas reached the mountain called Kedarnath. This was a beautiful mountain and the Pandavas began climbing that mountain. On the mountain were many celestial maidens. Seeing the Pandavas the maidens wanted to know who they were and where they were going.
Yudhistira said I am Yudhistira on the Lunar Dynasty. These are my brothers and wife with me. We have fought a harsh battle and are distressed with the effects of that. We have renounced everything and going to heaven.
The maidens said If you have left the earth, why go to heaven? Stay here with us and enjoy our company. We have no sickness or old age here. Everyone is young here.
Yudhistira said We are on our way to wash off the sins of killing our relatives. We need to meet the Lord. We need to meet Krishna, who has gone to heaven with his dynasty.
The maidens said How will you go in your human form? Your Lord has gone after discarding the mortal body. Stay with us and you can proceed after sometime.
Yudhistira addressed the maidens as mother and said they were to me like Kunti and Madri.
The maidens were quiet and the Pandavas proceeded.
They saw a beautiful lake where they had a bath and offered water to the departed souls. They went around the lake thrice and saw Shiva there. They bowed down to him, falling prostate. They offered their worship to him.
In the severe cold, they crossed the mountain of Kedarnath. Going northwards they saw two lakes. These were the lakes of Dharma. They rested under a tree and asked Bhima to fetch some water from the lakes.
When Bhima went there he saw a bird there. The bird asked him What is the most astonishing thing? Who lives in eternal bliss?
Bhima ignored the bird and the moment he touched the water, he turned to stone. Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva also went and turned to stone.
Finally Yudhistira went. The question was repeated and Yudhistira said The longing to live for ever is what is amusing. Everyone knows they will die yet they what most can be done, to stay alive for ever. The one who is the right path is the one who is eternally happy.
The bird reveled himself and said You alone are fit for the journey. I will revive all but they will all fall on the way.
Saying this, Dharma vanished.