Vyasa explained that Dhritarashtra was a king of the Gandharvas while Pandu was a Marut. Duryodhana was Kali, while Shakuni was Dwapara. Arjuna was Nara while Bheema was a Marut. Yudhishtira and Vidura were a part of Dharma. Krishna was none other than Vishnu. Karna came from Surya, while Abhimanyu was Varchas, the son of Chandra. Dhristadyumna was a form of Agni.
Bheeshma was a Vasu while Drona was a part of Brihaspathi. Ashwatthama was a form of Rudra. Dushasana and Shikhandi were rakshasas. Nakula and Sahadeva were a form of the Ashwini brothers.
At night, Vyasa used his powers and brought all those who were dead back to life through the waters. Bheeshma, Drona, Bhagadatta, Shalya, Karna, Duryodhana, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkacha, Bahlika, and all those who were dead were seen in their most dazzling forms. Vyasa then gave Dhritarashtra and Gandhari the power of sight so they could see their loved ones for the last time.
The Pandavas were happy to meet Karna, while Subhadra and Uttara were delighted to meet Abhimanyu. Dhritarashtra and Gandhari met their hundred sons and Shakuni. After spending the entire night with their loved ones, all the dead departed the next day.
Vyasa then asked the women who wanted to unite with their loved ones to enter the river. Many of the Kaurava women entered the water and gave up their bodies so their souls could unite with their dead husbands.
As Vaishampayana narrated the story, King Janmejaya was delighted. He requested Vyasa to show him his father. Vyasa granted his boon, and Parikshit appeared before his son. Father and son were united again for a while thanks to the powers of the great Vyasa. Vaishampayana then continued narrating the story.
The Pandavas then took the blessings of Dhritarashtra, Kunti, and Gandhari and left for their kingdom.
Two years after these incidents, the sage Narada came to meet Yudhishtira. He informed the king that Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti, and Sanjaya went to the forests where they performed severe austerities. In the forest, a large fire arose that started to burn down the entire forest with its inhabitants.
Sanjaya, on the instructions of Dhritarashtra, left from there and went to the Himalayas. Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti perished in the forest fire and gave up their bodies.
The Pandavas grieved over the loss of their elders. They were distraught at hearing of the death of their mother. On the advice of Narada, they performed the last rites for the three elders. They gave gifts and donations and completed the water rites of their elders.
End of Ashramavasika Parva
