No Dogs in Heaven
Long ago there was a family of brothers, called the Pandavas and their wife Draupadi. They had all lived very long and happy lives and they had decided that it was time for them to travel across the Himalayas to their final resting place in Heaven. They all settled their affairs on Earth and headed off on their long journey. Just as they had started on their way, a dog started following them. The dog was friendly and kept up with their pace easily. He was liked by all of the brothers and their wife but especially liked by Yudhishthira. He had always had a soft spot in his heart for all animals, especially dogs.
One day while traveling, the path became very narrow.
"I am worried this is becoming very dangerous." Draupadi mentioned. Her feet drew closer and closer to the edge with each turn before she soon, fell from the mountain.
This saddened the brothers but they continued on their journey for there was nothing they could do now. Knowing that this journey was meant to prove the righteous as just to enter the heavens, Bhima asked Yudhishthira why Draupadi failed.
"Draupadi was too attached to Arjuna, and that is why she will not complete this journey."
The brothers continued on, but it wasn't long before Sahadeva began to trip and eventually fell.
Bhima immediately turned to Yudhishthira again. "How could this happen? How could we lose wise Sahadeva?"
Yudhishthira explained, "He had too much pride in his intelligence. No one can enter heaven with that much pride in himself."
Soon Nakula fell, Yudhishthira explained, "He admired his own good looks to a fault."
When Arjuna fell, Yudhishthira said, "Arjuna was too conceited."
It wasn't long before it was Bhima's turn. As Bhima collapsed he look up towards Yudhishthira.
"Why won't I complete the journey, Yudhishthira?"
"Your sin is gluttony." Yudishthira said sadly. He turned and faced his path. Yudhishthira was very sad at this point for he had lost all of the people that he held close. As he stood there, unable to move, he felt something graze his hand. The dog gently nudged his hand and comforted Yudhishthira. It made Yudhishthira smile and he was able to continue on his journey. They traveled for a few more nights before reaching the very top of the mountain. Yudhishthira was ready to ascend to heaven when he saw Indra descending in his chariot.
"Come into my chariot oh worthy Yudhishthira, let us ascend to the heavens together."
However, when Yudhishthira picked up the dog to help it onto the chariot he was stopped by Indra.
"Leave the dog here in the mountains, he cannot travel in the chariot to the heavens."
This confused Yudhishthira and he asked why the dog couldn't join them.
Indra replied, "Dogs are not the same as humans and are not afforded the same lives."
Yudhishthira remained where he was and continued, "This dog has walked the exact same path as me up these mountains. How can it be that we are equal in our journey but we are not rewarded the same at the end? Surely, if the dog has made it up the mountains, he is worthy to be here and enter into the heavens."
Indra responded once more, "Yudhishthira, you have journeyed far and you are worthy to receive your happiness. Consider what you deserve and what will make you happy."
"The thing that will make me happiest is to stay with this dog until it is allowed the same reward as me." Yudhishthira answered honestly.
This made Indra smile. For the dog was none other than the deity himself. This had been a final test of dharma and Yudhishthira once again proved himself worthy.
They were now able to all enter into heaven where they lived happily for the rest of time.
Author's Note:
I really liked the story No Dogs in Heaven. I found quite a few versions of it with ever so slight alterations however. For instance, the reason why each brother or Draupadi fell varied. It just depended on which version was telling the story. I tried to just find a story and stick to it so there wouldn't be too much overlap. There was also some variation between Yudhishthira and Indra's exchange. For instance, in one version, Yudhishthira also argued for why all of his brothers and Draupadi should be allowed to enter heaven with him. He said that he wasn't going to get into the chariot and travel to heaven without all of them also being able to join them. However, in the other versions that I read, he only was fighting for the right of the dog to join him in heaven. I think that this version makes more sense. I believe that since the dog was able to complete the journey it was because he possessed the same rightous virtues that Yudhishthira that allowed him to complete the journey as well. Either way I think it is a great story with a beneficial message. I appreciate that all creatures are valued as equals as long as they possess the same intrinsic goodness. I think it is a positive message that can be applied to a lot of different situations.
Pashu; Animal Tales from Hindu Mythology. Devdutt Pattanaik. (2014)