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Yudhishthira was also disturbed when he did not find his brothers or Draupadi in heaven. (News18 Hindi)
Known as the embodiment of Dharma in, Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, spent his life upholding truth, justice, and righteousness, even in the face of immense personal loss. According to the Mahabharata, when he reached heaven in his physical form, he expected to be reunited with his virtuous brothers and wife, Draupadi. Instead, he was stunned to find Duryodhana, the very symbol of adharma, enjoying the comforts of paradise.
Heaven was filled with splendour, joy, apsarasand a breeze of bliss. But the sight of Duryodhana, smiling and at peace, stirred a deep anger in Yudhishthira. He turned to Indra and questioned the very foundation of divine justice.
Yudhishthira had arrived expecting to meet his brothers and Draupadi, but instead, he saw Duryodhana, the very person he blamed for much of his life’s suffering. All his excitement about reaching heaven vanished. Filled with rage, he turned to Indra and said, “How can a man who committed so many injustices, insulted Draupadi in the royal court, disrespected elders and teachers, and caused a devastating war that killed thousands, be enjoying the rewards of heaven?”
Yudhishthira declared, “I cannot stay in a heaven where such a sinner is present. If this is justice, then I want no part of it. I would rather go to hell, where at least those who upheld Dharma, even in death, reside.”
Interestingly, Duryodhana did not respond with anger. Contrary to his usual behaviour, he remained calm and said nothing in return. This surprised Yudhishthira even more. But the sight of Duryodhana enjoying heavenly pleasures made the idea of staying in heaven unbearable for him.
Indra and Yama then explained to Yudhishthira that Duryodhana had died a warrior’s death, fulfilling his duties as a Kshatriya. Despite his flaws, he had displayed bravery, valour, and leadership. According to the laws of karma, he had earned a place in heaven based on his good deeds. This explanation calmed Yudhishthira.
Yudhishthira was also disturbed when he did not find his brothers or Draupadi in heaven. As per the epic, when the Pandavas and Draupadi undertook their final journey towards the Himalayas, one by one they fell, and only Yudhishthira reached heaven with his mortal body. Draupadi, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva were initially taken to hell—though only for a short time.
Later, Yudhishthira himself was shown hell. There, he saw his brothers and Draupadi suffering, which angered him further. He could not understand why such righteous and dharmic people were enduring pain in hell.
However, he was then told that it was all an illusion, a final test of his virtues. His brothers and Draupadi had indeed briefly passed through hell to experience the fruits of their lesser deeds, but they now resided in heaven. This revelation brought peace to Yudhishthira’s heart.
The concepts of heaven and hell are described in detail in the Mahabharata, particularly in the Swargarohan Parva and Anushasan parva. In Chapter 42 of the Vana parvaheaven is described as a place of divine pleasures—home to Kamdhenu, kalpavriksha, apsarasand spiritual bliss.
Meanwhile, the Anushasan parva discusses how those who commit sins such as violence, deceit, theft, betrayal of teachers, and Brahmin murder must suffer in Yamaloka (the abode of Yama). The epic also speaks of 21 types of hells, similar to descriptions in the Garuda Purana and Vishnu Puranaeach tailored to specific sins. These hells reflect the severity and nature of one’s misdeeds, and Yama’s messengers ensure that souls are sent to the appropriate realm based on their karma.
