15 - Ascendance of Pandavas to heaven:

Agni said:

1. O Brahmin! When Yudhisthira was ruling the kingdom, Dhrutarāshtra went to the forest along with Gandhårī and Pruthå (Kunti) and passed from one stage of life to another. 

2-5. Vidura was burnt by the forest fire and ascended heavens. Thus, Vishnu removed the oppression of demons and others on the earth, for the sake of dharma and for the destruction of adharma and having the Påndavas as an apparent cause. Having the curse of a brahmin, as a pretext, he destroyed with the club, the race of Yadavas who were oppressing (the world) Then (he) installed Vajra (son of Aniruddha) in the kingdom. On the directive of celestials, Hari himself having discarded his body at Prabhasa, is being worshipped by the residents of heavens at the worlds of Indra and Brahmå. Balabhadra, (who was) a form of Ananta, reached heavens in the nether world. 

6. Hari, the imperishable lord, is always to be contemplated upon by those who meditate (on him). Without him (at Dvaraka), the ocean flooded the city of Dvåraka. 

7-8. Pärtha (Arjuna), having performed the obs quies of Yadavas, and having offered the waters of oblation and money, felt grief-stricken when the women, who were the wives of Vishnu (Krishņa), were carried away by theshepherds (using) the clubs as weapons and defeating Arjuna on account of the curse of Ashgåvakra.¹ 

1. Once when a brahmin Aptavakra was doing penance standing in neck deep water, the hcavenly nymphs who happened to pass that way bowed to him and sought his blessings to get a good husband. Being pleased he blessed them that they would become the wives of the Lord when he manifested as Krana. Later, when they began to mock at him, on seeing his crooked form as he came out of waters, he got enraged and cursed them that they would be forcibly taken away by thieves. See Vi.P. V. xxxviii. 71-82. 

9-12. Being consoled by Vyäsa, he thought, “My strength remains only in the presence of Krishņa."Having come to Hastinapura, Partha then informed Yudhishthira, his brothers and the guards of the people. That bow, those weapons and the chariot and those horses were lost in the absence of Krishņa, just as a charity made to a person not well learned (would be lost). Having heard that (news), the intelligent Dharmaraja (Yudhishghira), having established Parikshit in the kingdom, set out on his final journey to relinquish this world along with Draupadi and his brothers, after having realized the transitory nature of the mundane existence and repeating 108 (names) of Hari. 

13. Draupadi, Sahadeva, Nakula, Phålguna² (Arjuna), Bhima had fallen on the way (of their march). The king was grief-stricken. 

2. On account of his birth on the Himalayan peaks as the moon was in asterism Uttará Phalguni, Arjuna was known by this name. 

उत्तराभ्यां फल्गुनीभ्यां नमनाभ्यामहं दिवा। 

जातो हिमवतः पृष्ठे तेन मां फाल्गुनं विदुः ॥ M. Bh. IV. xliv. 16. 

14. Mounting the chariot brought by Indra he reached heavens along with his brothers, having seen Duryodhana and others and Väsudeva and becoming happy. This is (the story of) Bharata told to you. Whoever reads this, goes to heaven.