We are under classic assumption that a soul with lot of good karma do spend long time in heaven. It will take long time for it to be reincarnated back on earth.
We also know that pandava heroes are generally had lot of good karmas in their credit.Especially Yudhistira is personification of truth and goodness.Logically speaking he is supposed to spend in heaven for long time.
In Svargarohana parva of mahabharata , indra invites yudhistira as to enjoy pleasentaries in svarga as http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m18/m18003.htm
"O mighty-armed one, enjoy now those regions (svarga) which have become thine through the Rajasuya sacrifice performed by thee and whose felicities have been enhanced by the sacrificial scimitar employed by thee. Let the high fruits of thy penances be enjoyed by thee. "
But as everyone know , Mahabharata was narrated to janamejaya after death of parikshita. It is also quoted that Parikshita ruled for 60 years before his death.So it was around 60 years, before pandavas died.
Now at the end of svargarohana parva , janamejaya asks sauti , what happened to pandava heroes after their time in svarga is over as below.
http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m18/m18005.htm
"tell me for what period they remained in Heaven. O foremost of regenerate persons, was theirs an eternal place in Heaven? What was the end attained to by those foremost of men when their acts came to an end? "
Then Sauti explains in detail the final destination , after time in svarga came to end.
"Every one, O king of men, is not capable of returning to his own nature at the end of his deeds. It was explained (to us) by Vyasa of mighty energy,celestial vision and great prowess."
Then he goes on explain , yudhistira entered into yama,Drona entered into Brihaspati , Kritavarma entered the Maruts.
So now comes to question ,how exactly yudhistira a personification of rightousness , spent just 60 human years in heaven?
I consider 60 years is very less because, 360 human years = 1 year in svarga. So nearly he spent just Two divine months in svarga.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_units_of_time
Based on this logic , most of us common people , should spend much less time in svarga . Does it happen like that?
I have seen multiple modern day books which details on past life experiences (for ex: Cases of the Reincarnation Type, Vol. I: Ten Cases in India. University of Virginia Press.. By Ian Stevenson) clearly quotes , people are coming back to new life after 100s of years.
I am wondering what I am missing in overall Story.??