Swarg Agaman //Awakening In The Next World//

१. The Doorway

The darkness that enveloped him finally started to drift apart. He started to open his eyes just like a blue lotus flowering with a coppery tint. The eldest of the Pandav looked around him. Looked at the blinding light front of him. Was this my end,the next world? The salvation that I wanted or my path will remain incomplete like my family?

"Puff" Yudhisthir's long trails of thought was torn off my the sound of the dog that accompanied them,and which survived with him. He picked up that pup and caressed it.

"You were the only one who survived my friend. Lets go ahead and see what destiny has in plan for us"

As he started walking towards the light he saw a giant white elephant covered with gold and jewels and above that sat someone adorned with white clothings and a large crown.

"Pranipat Dharmaraj" Ecoed the godly voice."Welcome to Amravati,the capital of swarg"

Amravati. Swarg. White elephant. Indra. Am I...Did I reached...

"Devraaj Indra. Pranipat" said Yudhisthir with a choking voice.

"Halt Airavat!" said the king of the Gods to his gigantic elephant who is believed to fly in the sky like the grace of a bird.

"Yudhisthir come travel with me and let me do the honour of giving you the swarg and let your dharm shine. You are the first and probably the last person to achieve Swarg by merely walking. Come."

Yudhisthir began to proceed but was suddenly stopped by Indra.

"You are not coming with that, are you?"

Yudhisthir for one second thought Devraaj pointed to his rags and coarse dhoti but he realized Indra was talking about the dog.

"You know that a mere four legged creature let alone a dog can't enter the swarg."

Yudhisthir was taken aback. He looked at the innocent dog happily waging his tail and looking towards Yudhisthir.

"Devraaj I know that it might seem disrespectful but this mere animal as you say, was with me all along. All my brothers and my wife left me. But not this. I can't abandon it. No. It is against dharm."

Thinking about his wife and his brothers left a void in his heart. He looked at Indra. The Rain God raised an eyebrow at him. He knew what was about to happen.

" I am sorry the great Vasava. But if this dog can't come I am afraid that the first person to come at Swarg by walking will have to return."

Saying thus he began to retreat towards the door but Indra stopped him and said,"Okay okay wait wait! Hey Mahadev! were you right Yama! your son is so... Yudhisthir as you say!"

Yudhi was starled. Why my name is being used as an adjective? Where is Yamraj? Is my God father here?

Suddenly a strange glow and a puff of smoke appeared around the dog. A dark figure came up from that glow. Yudhisthir was about to fall then when it hit him. Yamraj? This dog was my father?

"He is as Yudhisthir as he can get" laughed the Dark lord. He was adorned with blue and black clothes. Coppery red eyes, helmet with two Bullock like horns, a golden staff and handbar moustache. He patted Yudhi at the cheek.

"You look a thousand years old. Devraaj do make him shave. My boy, became the Dharmaraj you were destined to be"

"Where...where are my brothers...and Dra... Draupadi where is she? Why are they not here? I told them to wait.
Nakul should be here he was the first to go." Yudhisthir began to blurt out.

Indra and Yama looked at each other. A sad smile appeared at Yama's face. He said,"Putra they are not here...they are somewhere else for now."

Not here? How? Where?

"I wish to go where they are Pitaji." He turned towards Indra,"Please Bhagvaan. I beg you"

Indra opened his mouth to say something but Yamraaj signalled him.

"As you wish Putra. It is better if u see it with your own eyes"

Indra nodded. "But Dharmaraj is traveling with me. Is it fine Yamraaj?"

The God of Death smiled and nodded. He summoned Paundraka,his black buffalo and rode with Indra.

But to Yudhisthir's surprise and horror,both of them started to travel downwards and didn't entered the doorway. Yudhi looked at Indra and his father. Both of their eyes gave away the answer but Yudhisthir didn't want to think about it.

No, this can't be happening. Not them. Not my brothers. Not my Draupadi. Hey Mahadev tell me this is not true.

Hey Readers! This is my first time writing a story. Please forgive me for any mistakes as I am a hazzy typer. This whole chapter starts with Yudhisthir arriving at Swarg. The next chapter will consist of him seeing his family and conversation surrounding heaven and hell. Hope to write again soon!