Question 1: According to Mahabharata, among pancha Pandavas, who left their body first?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
This is from K.M Ganguli (Mahaprasthanika Parva)
Vaishampayana said: “Those princes of restrained souls and devoted to Yoga, proceeding to the north, beheld Himavat, that very large mountain. Crossing the Himavat, they beheld a vast desert of sand. They then saw the mighty mountain Meru, the foremost of all high-peaked mountains. As those mighty ones were proceeding quickly, all rapt in Yoga, Yajnaseni, falling from Yoga, dropped down on the Earth. Beholding her fallen down, Bhimasena of great strength addressed king Yudhishthira the just, saying, ‘O scorcher of foes, this princess never did any sinful act. Tell us what the cause is for which Krishnaa has fallen down on the Earth!’
“Yudhishthira said: ‘O best of men, though we were all equal unto her she had great partiality for Dhananjaya. She obtains the fruit of that conduct today, O best of men.'”
Vaishampayana continued: “Having said this, that foremost one of Bharata’s race proceeded on. Of righteous soul, that foremost of men, endued with great intelligence, went on, with mind intent on itself. Then Sahadeva of great learning fell down on the Earth. Beholding him drop down, Bhima addressed the king, saying, ‘He who with great humility used to serve us all, alas, why is that son of Madravati fallen down on the Earth?’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘He never thought anybody his equal in wisdom. It is for that fault that this prince has fallen down.’
Vaishampayana continued: “Having said this, the king proceeded, leaving Sahadeva there. Indeed, Kunti’s son Yudhishthira went on, with his brothers and with the dog. Beholding both Krishna and the Pandava Sahadeva fallen down, the brave Nakula, whose love for kinsmen was very great, fell down himself. Upon the falling down of the heroic Nakula of great personal beauty, Bhima once more addressed the king, saying, ‘This brother of ours who was endued with righteousness without incompleteness, and who always obeyed our behests, this Nakula who was unrivalled for beauty, has fallen down.’
“Thus addressed by Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, said, with respect to Nakula, these words: ‘He was of righteous soul and the foremost of all persons endued with intelligence. He, however, thought that there was nobody that equalled him in beauty of person. Indeed, he regarded himself as superior to all in that respect. It is for this that Nakula has fallen down. Know this, O Vrikodara. What has been ordained for a person, O hero, must have to be endured by him.’
“Beholding Nakula and the others fall down, Pandu’s son Arjuna of white steeds, that slayer of hostile heroes, fell down in great grief of heart. When that foremost of men, who was endued with the energy of Shakra, had fallen down, indeed, when that invincible hero was on the point of death, Bhima said unto the king, ‘I do not recollect any untruth uttered by this high-souled one. Indeed, not even in jest did he say anything false. What then is that for whose evil consequence this one has fallen down on the Earth?’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Arjuna had said that he would consume all our foes in a single day. Proud of his heroism, he did not, however, accomplish what he had said. Hence has he fallen down. This Phalguna disregarded all wielders of bows. One desirous of prosperity should never indulge in such sentiments.'”
Vaishampayana continued: “Having said so, the king proceeded on. Then Bhima fell down. Having fallen down, Bhima addressed king Yudhishthira the just, saying, ‘O king, behold, I who am thy darling have fallen down. For what reason have I dropped down? Tell me if thou knowest it.’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou wert a great eater, and thou didst use to boast of thy strength. Thou never didst attend, O Bhima, to the wants of others while eating. It is for that, O Bhima, that thou hast fallen down.’
Question 2: Is it true that Bhisma’s head was without support and hence Arjuna with his arrows made an arrangement to make Bhismadeva’s head position comfortably?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
From Krishna Dharma’s Mahabharata Part 2 Chapter 12
Bhishma opened his eyes. He spoke with difficulty. “O Phalguna, see how my head is hanging down. Fetch me a suitable pillow, O hero. You alone are equal to this task.”
Understanding Bhishma’s desire, Arjuna lifted his bow and fired several arrows, charged by Vedic mantras. The arrows stuck in the ground beneath Bhishma’s head and formed a headrest. Bhishma smiled. His arms were pierced all over and resting on arrows, but he raised his right hand from the wrist to bless Arjuna. “O son of Pandu, you have properly understood my desire. This is the only fitting pillow for a warrior slain on the battlefield.”
From K.M Ganguli (Dronabhisheka Parva)
“Sanjaya said, ‘Listen, O king, with undivided attention, to me as I recite what thy sons did after Devavrata had been killed in battle. When Bhishma, O monarch, of prowess incapable of being baffled, was slain, thy warriors as also the Pandavas both reflected by themselves (on the situation). Reflecting on the duties of the Kshatriya order, they were filled with wonder and joy; but acting according to those duties of their own order, they all bowed to that high-souled warrior. Then those tigers among men contrived for Bhishma of immeasurable prowess a bed with a pillow made of straight shafts. And having made arrangements for Bhishma’s protection, they addressed one another (in pleasant converse). Then bidding Ganga’s son their farewell and walking round him, and looking at one another with eyes red in anger, those Kshatriyas, urged by fate, once more went out against one another for battle. [END]
Question 3: Is it true that, according to Ramayana, all four brothers (Rama, Bharat, Lakshman, and Satrugna) were immersed in water and died?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
From Krishna Dharma’s Ramayana Part 3 Chapter 15
Laksman prostrated Himself before Rama with tears in His eyes. He then stood up and left the palace, going directly to the forest. Reaching the banks of the Sarayu, He sat down in meditation, preparing to observe the praya vow of fasting till death. With His eyes half-closed, He suspended His breathing and entered a deep trance. As He sat absorbed in thought of the Supreme, Indra came there invisible to all and took Him away to the heavens. Thus it appeared to all men that Laksman had died. ___
Followed by His vast entourage, Rama traveled upriver to the point where it joined the Ganges, then went along the course of that holy river until He reached the foot of the mountain from where it emanated. At that place, where the path to heaven could be found, millions of divine chariots appeared. All the gods, headed by Brahma, were visible. Celestial music played by the Gandharvas could be heard and showers of flowers fell from the skies. It was seen that Visnu appeared in the sky on the back of Garuda. Within the sight of all, and being praised by the gods, Rama and His two brothers entered Visnu’s form. Every creature present, who were all absorbed in the thoughts of Rama, then gave up their mortal bodies and assumed their eternal spiritual forms. The gods saw them rising up on celestial chariots toward Rama’s undecaying abode in the spiritual world. It seemed to those celestials that the very city of Ayodhya went with Rama.
