Yudhishthira Becomes King – The Pandavas After the War
The Kurukshetra War was finally over.
The Kaurava army had been destroyed.
Duryodhana had fallen.
Karna, Drona and Bhishma were gone.
The Pandavas had won the kingdom they had fought for—but their hearts were filled with sorrow.
They had lost brothers, teachers, relatives, friends and countless soldiers.
Now Yudhishthira had to become king.
But he was not happy about the throne.
1. Yudhishthira Feels Guilty
Yudhishthira was deeply troubled by the destruction caused by the war.
He wondered whether a kingdom was worth so many deaths.
Almost every family in the kingdom had lost someone.
Yudhishthira felt responsible for the suffering.
He even considered giving up the throne.
2. Krishna Encourages Yudhishthira
Krishna understood Yudhishthira’s state of mind.
He reminded him that the war had been fought after many attempts at peace had failed.
The Pandavas now had a responsibility toward the people who had survived.
Yudhishthira could not abandon the kingdom.
He needed to rule wisely and restore peace.
3. The Pandavas Return to Hastinapura
The Pandavas returned to Hastinapura.
The city had suffered greatly because of the war.
The people welcomed the Pandavas, but there was also sadness everywhere.
Yudhishthira understood that his first responsibility was to rebuild the kingdom.
4. Yudhishthira Is Crowned King
Yudhishthira was crowned king of Hastinapura.
The ceremony marked the beginning of a new period.
His brothers stood beside him.
Krishna was also present.
Yudhishthira promised to rule with justice and protect his people.
5. Dhritarashtra and Gandhari
The Pandavas continued to respect Dhritarashtra and Gandhari.
Although their sons had fought against the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari had suffered enormous personal loss.
Yudhishthira treated them with respect.
The Pandavas understood that the war had brought sorrow to both sides.
6. Kunti Reveals Another Truth
Kunti had been carrying a painful secret.
She finally revealed more openly that Karna was her firstborn son.
The Pandavas were devastated by this truth.
Yudhishthira especially felt great sorrow.
The man they had fought as an enemy had actually been their elder brother.
The revelation made the consequences of the war even more painful.
7. Yudhishthira Seeks Guidance From Bhishma
Although Bhishma had fallen on the tenth day of the war, he was still alive on his bed of arrows.
Yudhishthira went to Bhishma to seek advice.
Bhishma explained the responsibilities of a king.
He taught Yudhishthira about:
- Dharma
- Justice
- Leadership
- Duty
- Protection of citizens
- The responsibilities of a ruler
These teachings became an important part of Yudhishthira’s understanding of kingship.
8. Bhishma Explains the Duties of a King
Bhishma told Yudhishthira that a king should not rule for personal pleasure.
A ruler’s primary responsibility is the welfare of the people.
Justice must be protected.
The weak must be supported.
The kingdom must be governed according to dharma.
Yudhishthira listened carefully to every teaching.
9. Bhishma’s Final Days
Bhishma continued to remain on his bed of arrows.
He was waiting for the appropriate time to leave his body.
He continued giving guidance to Yudhishthira.
The Pandavas visited him with great respect.
Eventually, Bhishma decided that the time had come.
10. Bhishma Leaves the World
Bhishma finally gave up his life.
The Pandavas mourned the death of the great elder.
He had fought against them during the war, but they never stopped respecting him.
Bhishma’s death marked the end of an important connection to the older generation of the Kuru dynasty.
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11. Yudhishthira Begins His Rule
Yudhishthira devoted himself to rebuilding the kingdom.
The war had destroyed homes, families and resources.
The new king had to restore order.
His goal was to create a kingdom based on justice and dharma.
The Pandavas supported him in governing the kingdom.
12. Ashwatthama’s Attack Leaves Another Wound
Even after the war, the memory of Ashwatthama’s night attack remained painful.
Draupadi had lost her five sons.
The Pandavas had lost many loved ones.
The war had taught them a painful lesson:
Victory does not always bring happiness.
Yudhishthira understood that true leadership meant protecting future generations from such destruction.
13. Parikshit Becomes Important for the Future
Uttara’s unborn child, Parikshit, had survived because of Krishna’s protection.
He would become important to the future of the Kuru dynasty.
The Pandavas saw in him a continuation of their family.
His survival gave hope after the destruction caused by the war.
14. The Pandavas Enter a New Life
The age of war was over.
The Pandavas now had different responsibilities.
They had to rule.
They had to rebuild.
They had to protect the people.
And they had to live with the memories of everything that had happened.
But another major chapter of their lives was approaching.
The Pandavas would eventually begin a great journey toward the final stage of their earthly lives.
The story continues in Maha Bharatham Part 26 – The Pandavas’ Later Years and the Beginning of Their Final Journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who became king after the Kurukshetra War?
Yudhishthira became the king of Hastinapura.
Why was Yudhishthira unhappy about becoming king?
He was deeply troubled by the enormous destruction and loss of life caused by the war.
Who taught Yudhishthira about the duties of a king?
Bhishma gave Yudhishthira extensive teachings about dharma, kingship and governance.
Who was Parikshit?
Parikshit was the son of Abhimanyu and Uttara and an important future member of the Kuru dynasty.
What happened to Bhishma?
After remaining alive on his bed of arrows for a period of time, Bhishma finally left his body.