Kurukṣetra Pilgrimage: Sages Praise Kṛṣṇa; Vasudeva Inquires on Karma; Viṣṇu-yajña Performed
धृतराष्ट्रोऽनुज: पार्था भीष्मो द्रोण: पृथा यमौ । नारदो भगवान् व्यास: सुहृत्सम्बन्धिबान्धवा: ॥ ५७ ॥ बन्धून् परिष्वज्य यदून् सौहृदाक्लिन्नचेतस: । ययुर्विरहकृच्छ्रेण स्वदेशांश्चापरे जना: ॥ ५८ ॥
dhṛtarāṣṭro ’nujaḥ pārthā bhīṣmo droṇaḥ pṛthā yamau nārado bhagavān vyāsaḥ suhṛt-sambandhi-bāndhavāḥ
The Yadus were all embraced by their friends, close family members and other relatives, including Dhṛtarāṣṭra and his younger brother, Vidura; Pṛthā and her sons; Bhīṣma; Droṇa; the twins Nakula and Sahadeva; Nārada; and Vedavyāsa, the Personality of Godhead. Their hearts melting with affection, these and the other guests left for their kingdoms, their progress slowed by the pain of separation.
The verse describes the pain of parting from beloved relatives—here, the Yadus—showing how deep affection naturally brings distress when devotees and loved ones must separate.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates to King Parīkṣit. After meeting and honoring their Yadu relatives, the elders and the Pāṇḍavas embrace them and then return to their respective kingdoms, feeling the hardship of separation.
It teaches that loving bonds are sacred, and separation is natural; a devotee channels that emotion into remembrance—keeping relationships and spiritual connections alive through gratitude, prayer, and continued devotion.