YUDHISHTHIRA'S FINAL TEST... WHY SRILA VYASADEVA WAS DESPONDENT

This is a perfect illustration of why Srila Vyasadeva was despondent after completing the Mahabharata.
As a last test, Yudhishthira was taken to what appeared to be a hellish planet to see his brothers and family members in torment. Duryodhana on the other hand was enjoying royal opulence on the planet of the kshatriyas.

Yudhishthira was informed he could also go to the planet of the kshatriyas. He didn't have to join his family members in hell. Yudhishthira however refused the offer and chose to stay and suffer along with those who had gone through so many hardships for him in his previous life. It was an illusion. They were not suffering in Hell. It was test for Yudhisthira.

But this is very interesting. Srila Vyasadeva revealed so many noble and exalted characteristics in the presentation of Mahabharata and great stories to illustrate the path of higher human existence.
But... he did not directly glorify the path of devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

The Pandavas and their family members are pure devotees of the Lord and at the time of death there is no mention of Krishna at all. At the passing away of Bhismadeva we see Bhismadeva fixed in meditation on Lord Krishna...but not the Pandavas. Instead they are simply attached to each other.

Of course we know from the teachings of the acaryas that to think of the pure devotee is as good as... if not better than... thinking of Krishna. But this is not brought out in the Mahabharata. The Pandavas attachment to each other looks mundane.

This is why Srila Vyasadeva was morose. This is why he was instructed by His spiritual master Narada muni to present the Srimad Bhagavatam. In order to perfectly illuminate the path of pure devotion and the ultimate goal of life, Lord Sri Krishna, beyond a shadow of doubt.