Shloka 4
Chapter 5: Dāruka’s Mission, Balarāma’s Yogic Departure, and Kṛṣṇa’s Niṣkramaṇa
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत मौसलपर्वमें श्रीकृष्णका परमधामगमनविषयक चौथा अध्याय पूरा हुआ,स वृष्णिनिलयं गत्वा दारुकेण सह प्रभो । ददर्श द्वारकां वीरो मृतनाथामिव स्त्रियम् प्रभो! दारुकके साथ वृष्णियोंके निवासस्थानपर पहुँचकर वीर अर्जुनने देखा कि द्वारका नगरी विधवा स्त्रीकी भाँति श्रीहीन हो गयी है
sa vṛṣṇinilayaṃ gatvā dārukeṇa saha prabho | dadarśa dvārakāṃ vīro mṛtanāthām iva striyam ||
ثم إنّ أرجونا البطل، مصحوبًا بداروكا، بلغ مقامَ آلِ فِرِشْني. وهناك أبصر دْوَارَكا—وقد فُقِدت ربُّها وبهاؤها—كأنها امرأةٌ أُرملت؛ انطفأ مجدُها وزال أمنُها.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical and spiritual reflection on impermanence: worldly prosperity and protection depend on the sustaining presence of dharma and its upholders. When that support is withdrawn, even a celebrated realm becomes vulnerable and loses its radiance—prompting detachment and sober responsibility in the survivors.
After the calamity that befalls the Yādavas, Arjuna arrives at the Vṛṣṇis’ settlement with Dāruka and sees Dvārakā emptied of its former splendor—described poignantly as like a widow, i.e., a city bereft of its lord (Kṛṣṇa) and protectors.