Mahabharata Companion

Krsna Returns to Dwaraka

Part 2 / Chapter 32 / 83 chapters

Chapter32 / 35
Part 2Chapter 32

Krsna Returns to Dwaraka

governs through a settlement that honors Dhrtarastra, but continuing grief leads to urge an Ashvamedha and teach him again to rule with spiritual detachment. and spend several weeks together in , where admits that he cannot fully recall the teaching given before the war and receives another ancient discourse on liberation and duty. reluctantly permits to return to and asks him to come back for the sacrifice. At the farewell, praises as the unseen protector behind every calamity and prays for undiverted devotion even if difficulty is what keeps her mindful of him. welcomes in celebration, but joy turns to grief when forces the family to confront 's death and and perform his funeral rites.

Krishna Dharma Edition
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This guide follows Krishna Dharma's retelling as the source of truth. This panel notes broad edition-level framing or compression that helps a reader orient themselves.

Krishna Dharma makes the return to Dwaraka a chapter about separation rather than travel. Kunti's prayer turns the family's hardships into a source of spiritual nearness, while the joyful homecoming cannot be complete until Abhimanyu's death is spoken aloud and mourned.
Key Events
  1. 1

    governs but still grieves

    Dhrtarastra remains chief administrator and the Pandava household treats the elders with honor. Seeing burdened by the bereaved population, recommends sacrifice, charity, and active rule rather than continuing remorse.

  2. 2

    recommends the Ashvamedha

    tells that worship, charity, and the horse sacrifice can cleanse any remaining stain from the war. He identifies the king's mind as the enemy that must now be conquered through knowledge.

  3. 3

    and withdraw to

    With 's permission the two friends spend weeks in the Mayasabha and the wooded country around . consoles for the loss of his sons and companions.

  4. 4

    teaches again

    On the road back to , admits that he cannot fully recall 's teaching from the war's first day. expresses disappointment but narrates an ancient history covering the same liberating truths and asks to live by it.

  5. 5

    permits 's departure

    presents 's wish to see and the family. gives permission, sends gifts and greetings, and asks to return for the Ashvamedha.

  6. 6

    offers her farewell prayer

    remembers every danger from which protected her family and prays that such calamities may recur if they bring his presence. She asks that her attachment flow toward him as steadily as the Ganges flows to the sea.

  7. 7

    welcomes home

    The citizens decorate the city, fill the streets, and worship as his chariot reaches 's palace. receives him first, and then greets and the Vrishni elders.

  8. 8

    The family mourns

    narrates the war but initially omits 's death. challenges the omission and collapses, also faints, and and later perform the young warrior's funeral offering with the family.