The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Book 18 Svargarohanika Parva

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is an epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kauravas and the Pandava princes as well as containing philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four goals of life. Here we have Svargarohana Parva, the eighteenth, narrating the story of renunciation of throne of kingdom of Hastinapur by Yudhisthir and his journey with his wife and brothers throughout the country before final journey to heaven. Vyasa is a revered figure in Hindu traditions. He is a kala-Avatar or part-incarnation of God Vishnu. Vyasa is sometimes conflated by some Vaishnavas with Badarayana, the compiler of the Vedanta Sutras and considered to be one of the seven Chiranjivins. He is also the fourth member of the Rishi Parampara of the Advaita Guru Parampar of which Adi Shankara is the chief proponent.