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. 

Sahadeva kills Shakuni

With his Gandiva in his hand, Arjuna began killing the Kaurava soldiers.
Duryodhana was fighting Dhristadyumna. Dhristadyumna cut off Duryodhana's chariot and the king had to run away. He fell in the ground and ashamed he ran off where Shakuni was.
In the meanwhile, Kritavarma was fighting Bhima. Bhima managed to control Kritavarma.
Duryodhana returned back to fight. Arjuna continued killing the soldiers. He killed Susharma. Susharma's son came to fight and also met his end.
Sahadeva and Shakuni were fighting, aiming weapons at each other. Sahadeva cut off Shakuni's bow. Shakuni took another bow. Shakuni's son, Ulluka, came to assist his father. He met his end in the hands of Bhima, who killed him with a crescent arrow.
Angry at his son's death, Shakuni started aiming arrows at Sahadeva. Sahadeva cut off all the arrows and his bow. Shakuni then took a spear and used that on Sahadeva. Sahadeva cut that off. Whatever weapons Shakuni aimed at Sahadeva were cut off. Sahadeva then cut off Shakuni's chariot. He started walking away and Sahadeva began clapping saying the Kshatriya runs away.
Hearing this, Shakuni came back and resumed fighting. Whatever weapons he used, Shakuni cut those off. Tired, Shakuni fell on the ground. Sahadeva grabbed Shakuni by his hair and dragged him. Sahadeva said You are the root of all problems. You cheated us in dice. I will make you pay for that.
Shakuni said Kill me but do not insult me.
Sahadeva cut off Shakuni's head.
Duryodhana , Kritavarma, Kripacharya and Ashwatthama were the only strong warriors left in the Kaurava camp.

Sahadeva plans to kill Shakuni

Duryodhana agreed to lead the army. He soon came across Bhima. They started abusing each other and then began fighting. Defeated by Bhima, Duryodhana fled.
Bhima attacked the army with his mace.
The king Shalva came to fight. He came on a elephant. The elephant was killed by Dhristadyumna. The king jumped off the elephant and was attacked by Satyaki. Satyaki cut off Shalva's weapons. Seeing this, Kritavarma came to his rescue. Satyaki aimed arrows at Kritavarma, who had to flee. Shalva and Satyaki began fighting again and Shalva met his end in the hands of Satyaki.
Seeing this, Kritavarma came again and attacked Satyaki. Satyaki cut off the chariot of Kritavarma. Kripacharya pulled Kritavarma on his chariot.
Duryodhana came to fight with his bow and arrows.
Yudhistira and Shakuni began fighting. Shakuni cut off Yudhistira's chariot. Seeing this Yudhistira jumped on the ground. Sahadeva seeing this, picked up Yudhistira on his chariot.
The Pandavas began planning to kill Shakuni.
Shakuni came to fight with Duryodhana supporting him.
Sahadeva was excited. He remembered that he had promised to kill Shakuni. With the armies fighting each other, Sahadeva and Shakuni also began fighting, and the sky was covered with arrows.
Shakuni was fighting fiercely and the Pandava army started stepping back. Seeing this, Krishna said -Why is this happening? The army that could stand Bhishma, Drona and Karna should be able to withstand the might of Shakuni. Kill Shakuni today.

Arjuna went ahead and started slaughtering the Kaurava army. 

Yudhistira given a boon

Listening to Yudhistira, the crane said I am Dharma. I came to test you. I am pleased with your answers.
Ask for a boon. I will revive one person.
Yudhistira said Then please revive Sahadeva.
The Crane said You are a fool. You could have asked for Bhima or Arjuna who would help to you. Why ask for Sahadeva?

Yudhistira said Nakula and Sahadeva were the sons of my step mother. With me and Sahadeva we will be able to give offerings to the dead step mother and my father.

Sahadeva goes in search

Seeing the brothers not returning, Yudhistira asked Sahadeva to go.
Sahadeva went and met the same fate as his brothers.

Janmajeya asked the sage - Yudhistira is a great learned person. Why did he not go and let his brothers go?
The sage said - Dharma had clouded the thinking power of Yudhistira.