The Mausala Parva is the sixteenth of the eighteen books of the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. It traditionally has nine chapters. The critical edition has eight chapters. One of the 3 shortest books within the epic, the Mausala Parva describes the demise of Krishna in the 36th year after the Kurukshetra war had ended, the submersion of Dvaraka under sea, death of Balarama by drowning in the sea, Vasudeva's death, and a civil war fought among the Yadava clan that killed many of them. The story of infighting of the Yadavas becomes the reason why the Pandava brothers renounce their kingdom and begin their walk towards heaven, events recited in the last two books of the Mahabharata.
Yadavas killing themselves, with Krishna (blue figure) and his brother Balarama depicted at right.
Dvārakā, also known as Dvāravatī, is a sacred historic city in the sacred literature of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It is also alternatively spelled as Dvarika. The name Dvaraka is said to have been given to the place by Krishna, a major deity in Hinduism. Dvaraka is one of the Sapta Puri of Hinduism.
Dvaraka, modern Dwarka, is the setting for many chapters in Harivamsa. The city is described as near the sea, in modern-era Gujarat; a painting of the city in the 19th century (lower).
Image: Dwarka
Image: Sudama bows at the glimpse of Krishna's golden palace in Dwarka. ca 1775 1790 painting
