Shloka 5
Āśvamedhika-parva Adhyāya 1 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament by the Gaṅgā and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel
तमार्त पतितं भूमौ श्वसन्तं च पुन: पुनः । ददृशुः पार्थिवा राजन् धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
tam ārtaṃ patitaṃ bhūmau śvasantaṃ ca punaḥ punaḥ | dadṛśuḥ pārthivā rājan dharmaputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ||
রাজন্! সেখানে উপস্থিত সকল ভূপাল দেখলেন—ধর্মপুত্র যুধিষ্ঠির শোকে আর্ত হয়ে ভূমিতে পতিত, এবং বারবার দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলছেন।
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight borne by a righteous ruler: even after victory, dharma includes accountability for suffering caused, and grief can be a truthful response to the costs of power and war.
A gathering of kings witnesses Yudhiṣṭhira lying on the ground in deep distress, repeatedly sighing; the scene signals his continuing sorrow and inner turmoil in the period leading into the Aśvamedha-related events.