________________
And i, are also found to be initiated in Dv rik. Then Vasudeva and Dh ri 's sons J li, May li, etc and K a's son Pradyumana and J mbavat 's son S mbakum ra, Vaidarbh kum ra, Anir ddha and Samudravijaya's Satyanemi, Dşdhanemi and Kra's other queens too took initiation at Dv rik . This shows that K a's entire family had unshakeable faith in Lord Ari anemi.
The liberation of Pāņļavas
As instructed by K a Jar kum ra reached the Pāņdavas at P davaMathur and showing them the kaustubha gem give by rk a, told them of the burning of Dv rik , the destruction of Y dava clan and the sudden killing of K a at his own hands. Hearing this heart-rending sorrowful news from Jar kum ra the Pandavas became unhappy. The news of the death of their saviour and friend K a was worse than being stuck by a thunderbolt. The whole world seemed empty to them and their hearts were filled with a feeling of detachment. Sensing the desire of the Pāņdavas for the spiritual path of restraint Lord Ari anemi immediately sent his elder monk Dharmagho a along with 500 monks to P dava - Mathura. The Pāndavas handed over their kingdom to P dusena and accepted initiation under Dharmagho a. Queen Draupadi took initiation under ry Suvrat. After initiation the P davas and Draupadi, respectively, studied the fourteen p rvas and eleven Amgas and observed severe penance.
Burning their accumulated karmas through intense restraint and penance the Pandavas were wandering as mendicants when they heard that Lord Ari anemi was roaming in Saurra region. Taking leave from their preceptor they left for Saur ra. On the way to Saur ra they stayed at Sahasr mravana outside the city Hastakalpa near Ujjayantagiri for a day. Leaving Yudhi hira there the remaining four monks went to the city to break their fast with food offerings. There they learnt that Lord Ari anemi had attained nirva on Ujjayantagiri. The four monks immediately returned to Sahasr mravana. Upon Yudhi hira's advice, leaving the food received, the five monks went to atrumjaya Mountain and observed samlekhan. After two months of samlekhan , obtaining pure knowledge, they attained nirva. Queen Draupadi, after years of severe restraint, penance and austerities, observing a month's samlekhan , became a maharddhika god in the fifth kalpa.
209
