bodies, crossed the radiant gate of heaven,
For to win celestial mansions unto mortals it is given!
Let them strive by kindly action, gentle speech, endurance long,
Brighter life and holier future unto sons of men belong!"

Then the Pandav brothers and their wife took leave of the blind king,
whom they were destined never to see again, for some two years later a
terrible jungle fire consumed both cottage and inmates. This death was
viewed by the Pandavs as a bad omen, as was also the destruction of
Krishna's capital because his people drank too much wine. Krishna
himself was slain by accident, while a hurricane or tidal wave
sweeping over the "city of Drunkenness" wiped it off the face of the
earth.

Having found life a tragedy of sorrow, the eldest Pandav, after
reigning thirty-six years, decided to abdicate in favor of Arjuna's
grandson, and to start on a pilgrimage for Mount Meru, or Indra's
heaven. As the Hindu universe consists of seven concentric rings, each
of which is separated by a liquid from the next continent, he had to
cross successive oceans of salt water, sugar-cane juice, wine,
clarified butter, curdled milk, sweet milk, and fresh water. In the
very centre of these alternate rings of land and liquid rises Mount
Meru to a height of sixty-four thousand miles, crowned by the Hindu
heaven, toward which the Pandav was to wend his way. But, although all
their subjects would fain have gone with them, the five brothers,
Draupadi, and a faithful dog set out alone in single file, "to
accomplish their union with the infinite."

Then the high-minded sons of Pandu and the noble Draupadi
Roamed onward, fasting, with their faces toward the east; their
hearts
Yearning for union with the Infinite, bent on abandonment
Of worldly things.

* * * * *

And by degrees they reached the briny sea;
They reached the northern region and beheld with heaven-aspiring
hearts
The mighty mountain Himavat. Beyond its lofty peak they passed
Toward a sea of sand, and saw at last the rocky Meru, king
Of mountains. As with eager steps they hastened on, their souls
intent
On union with the Eternal, Draupadi lost hold of her high hope,
And faltering fell upon the earth.
--_Edwin Arnold._

Thus during this toilsome journey, one by one fell, never to rise
again, until presently only two of the brothers and the dog