How did Kalyug begin after the Mahabharata war? Learn amazing secrets
The Mahabharata is a unique epic, encompassing virtually everything in this world; there is nothing in this world that is not found within its pages. Its characters offer reflections of ourselves. The Mahabharata is also renowned for its devastating war, a conflict unlike any other in human history – the Kurukshetra war. This war, lasting only 18 days, decimated approximately 80 percent of the Indian male population. The Pandavas emerged victorious, while the Kauravas suffered defeat. But have you ever considered what transpired after the Pandavas' victory? Who survived? How long did the Pandavas rule Hastinapur? How did they meet their ends? This article will illuminate these events.
Following their victory at Kurukshetra, the Pandavas established their rule, with Yudhisthira as king. Grief-stricken, Gandhari, the mother of the Kauravas, cursed Krishna, wishing for the destruction of his sons and the Yadava dynasty. The Pandavas reigned over Hastinapur for 36 years. During this time, Gandhari's curse began to take effect. Krishna took the Yadavas to Prabhasa. A rebellion erupted among the Yadavas at Prabhasa, resulting in a bloodbath that nearly annihilated the Yadava lineage.
After slaughtering each other in Prabhasa, Balarama returned to his abode. Following this, Lord Krishna retreated to Prabhasa for seclusion. One day, while meditating under a tree, a hunter named Jara accidentally shot an arrow into his foot, leading to Krishna's relinquishment of his mortal form. After Lord Vishnu returned to Vaikuntha, his heavenly abode, Rishi Vyasa informed Arjuna of the demise of Lord Krishna and his brothers.
At that time, the Dvapara Yuga was ending, and Kalyuga was about to commence. Meanwhile, chaos and unrighteousness spread in Hastinapur, prompting Yudhisthira to decide to journey to heaven with the Pandavas and Draupadi, via the Himalayan route. Yama, the god of death, guided them on their journey, appearing as a dog.
Along the way, each of them perished one by one, beginning with Draupadi. Bhima was the last to die. Their deaths were linked to their pride and desires. Only Yudhisthira, devoid of any such vanity, reached the gates of heaven, accompanied by the dog.
Upon reaching the gates of heaven, the dog revealed himself to be Yama. Before entering heaven, Yudhisthira was taken to hell by Yama. There, Yudhisthira witnessed his brothers and Draupadi atoning for their sins. Afterwards, Lord Indra took Yudhisthira to heaven, promising that his brothers and Draupadi would soon join him. And thus, Lord Krishna and the Pandavas departed from this world.
With the departure of the Mahabharata's most prominent figures, Lord Krishna and the Pandavas, Kalyuga commenced, a period that continues to this day. According to available information, 5,000 years of Kalyuga have already passed. However, there are differing opinions regarding the duration of Kalyuga.
