During his brief visit to the court, Vidura had preferred not to give the
Pandavas the bad news of Krishna's death and the destruction of his city,
Dvaraka, because the tragedy would be soon discovered anyway. Arjuna
went to Dvaraka to see Krishna, but was absent for seven months.
Yudhisthira started to become worried, also because he had observed some
bad omens - irregularities in the cycle of seasons, sudden cyclones,
increased pollution due to dust and smoke, and a general degradation of the
environment in inhabited areas and even in the water reservoirs.
Degradation was also visible in the way of life among the people, with
spreading depression and a growing tendency to quarrel and cheat. Even
the animals seemed to suffer: the cows did not give milk any more, dogs
and jackals howled all the time, and the crows were everywhere.
Finally Arjuna returned, full of grief and tears, and to Yudhisthira's inquiry
he revealed the tragic end of the Yadu dynasty and his own despair for the
disappearance of Krishna, who had been the source of all blessings and
protection for the Pandavas. Recalling the many occasions when he had
shared Krishna's activities and the teachings he had received from the Lord,
Arjuna found consolation and new inspiration to become detached from all
material thoughts. Yudhisthira and the other brothers too were deeply
touched by the news.
After enthroning his grandson Parikshit and putting Vajra (son of
Aniruddha and grandson of Krishna) in Mathura as king of Surasena,
Yudhisthira performed the Prajapatya yajna to become free from the
responsibilities of the kingdom. Abandoning all luxuries, Yudhisthira
dressed in rags, loosened his hair and started to consume only liquid foods,
giving up all interest for whatever happened around him. Then he started
walking towards the Himalaya to become an ascetic, followed by his
brothers. In the meantime Vidura, too, had left his body while he was on a
pilgrimage at Prabhasa. Draupadi and Subhadra - the wives of the Pandavas
- also retired to engage in meditation on the Lord and soon they also left
this world.
Young Parikshit Maharaja proved himself to be worthy of his grandparents'
trust and ruled following the advice of the best ministers, choosing
Kripacharya as court priest. He married the daughter of king Uttara and had
four sons, the eldest of whom was named Janamejaya.
