> Yudhishtira, known for never straying from the dharmic path, refuses to leave a dog behind (that has been with them on their long journey) and get entrance to

> Yudhishtira, known for never straying from the dharmic path, refuses to leave a dog behind (that has been with them on their long journey) and get entrance to heaven - with the connotation that he refuses to leave the path of righteousness even for heaven. He also pretty explicitly analogizes the obligation a man has towards his dog as that which the Devas ought to have towards men. The well-being of the dog becomes his duty because it is utterly devoted to him and this obliges him to repay its devotion. In a way you can also read this as Yudhistira is also calling out the Devas, and Indra in particular, for being callous and falling down on holding up their end of the reciprocal bargain.