In view of the following reasons, I consider Yudhisthira’s visit to Naraka/Hell is an interpolated story.
- Dharma/Yaksha’s boon to Yudhisthira that he would remain steadfast in following charity and TRUTH
- Yudhisthira’s visit to Naraka/Hell is an interpolated story
- The reason attributed to his visiting Naraka/Hell by the Gods, is an interpolation, ie., telling a lie to kill Drona
I) Dharma/Yaksha’s boon to Yudhisthira that he would remain steadfast in following charity and TRUTH
Yudhisthira meets his father Dharma (in form of Yaksha) at the end of 12 years exile period. Pleased with the Yudhisthira’s righteousness, Dharma gives a boon to Yudhisthira that he remain steadfast in following charity and TRUTH.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
जयेयं लोभमोहौ च क्रोधं चाहं सदा विभो ।
दाने तपसि सत्ये च मनो मे सततं भवेत् ॥
धर्म उवाच॥
उपपन्नो गुणैः सर्वैः स्वभावेनासि पाण्डव ।
भवान्धर्मः पुनश्चैव यथोक्तं ते भविष्यति ॥
Yudhishthira then said, 'O lord, may I always triumph over greed, foolishness, and anger, and may my heart remain steadfast in charity, truth, and ascetic practices!'
The Dharma replied, 'Indeed, O Pandava, these virtues are your nature, for you are the embodiment of justice! You shall have what you desire!'
II) Yudhisthira’s visit to Naraka/Hell is an interpolated story
According to the Jaya Samhita, the original story of Mahabharata, the story ends with the coronation of Yudhisthira, after the war, and revival of dead Parikshit by Shri Krishna.
III) This was the reason attributed by the Gods as well as the story of Yudhisthira telling lie - Ashwatthama is dead - are the interpolations, for Yudhisthira’s visit to Naraka/Hell.
a) Reason attributed
व्याजेन हि त्वया द्रोण उपचीर्णः सुतं प्रति । व्याजेनैव ततो राजन्दर्शितो नरकस्तव ॥
You deceived Drona about his son through trickery. Consequently, you experienced Hell as a result of that deceit.
b) Yudhisthira telling a lie to kill Drona (Drona Parva)
The following narration is available in the Drona Parva, in all versions of Mahabharata including the BORI’s version.
i) Bhima kills an elephant by name Ashwatthama of Indra Varma, the King of Malava and announced to Drona that he had killed Ashwatthama, the son of Drona.
ii) Great rishis Vishawamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja, etc, came and advised Drona to stop his fighting and prepare for death.
iii) Doubting the words of Bhima, Drona asked Yudhisthira to tell the truth, as Yudhisthira was known for telling TRUTH at all times, about the death of his son Ashwatthama.
Then, Yudhisthira said as follows;
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कृष्णवाक्यप्रचोदितः । भावित्वाच्च महाराज वक्तुं समुपचक्रमे ॥
तमतथ्यभये मग्नो जये सक्तो युधिष्ठिरः । अव्यक्तमब्रवीद्राजन्हतः कुञ्जर इत्युत ॥
Hearing Bhima's words, urged by Krishna's counsel, and fated as it was, Yudhishthira resolved to say what he must. Afraid to lie but desperate for victory, Yudhishthira stated clearly that Aswatthaman was dead, adding in inaudible voice, 'the elephant.'
iv) Upon hearing those words from Yudhishthira, the powerful warrior Drona, overwhelmed by grief at the presumed death of his son, succumbed to despair. Compounded by the Rishis' words, he felt deeply guilty towards the noble Pandavas. The news of his son's death crushed his spirit and filled him with fear; seeing Dhrishtadyumna, O king, that punisher of enemies was no longer able to fight with his former strength."
v) Then, Drona continues his fight
vi) Bhima reprimands Drona that being a Brahmana he should not have caused so much havoc to the Kshatriyas.
vii) Drona sits in Meditation posture and Dhristhyadhyumna chops off his head.
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- After getting a boon from the Dharma that he would remain steadfast to charity and TRUTH, how can Yudhisthira tell a lie?
- If we carefully study the above narration, we can find that even after Yudhisthira’s telling lie about the death of Ashwatthama, Drona continued his fight. And, it was only after Bhima’s reprimanding that Drona dropped the weapons and sat in meditation.
- So, Yudhithira’s telling lie has no effect on Drona.
- This indicates that the entire episode of Bhima’s killing an elephant called Ashwatthama and Yudhisthira’s lie, is an interpolated story.
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The following might have been the actual story.
After observing Drona’s relentless fight, Bhima might have reprimanded Drona that being a Brahmana he should not have caused so much havoc to the Kshatriyas. This reprimand, coming from his own disciple, might have caused Drona’s dropping his weapons. Thereafter, Dhristhyadhyumna chops off his head.
