Shloka 36
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
कौसलयां च सुमित्रां च कैकेयीं च सुदु:ःखित: । अग्रे प्रस्थाप्य यानै: स शत्रुघ्नसहितो ययौ
Kausalyāṃ ca Sumitrāṃ ca Kaikeyīṃ ca suduḥkhitaḥ | agre prasthāpya yānaiḥ sa Śatrughnasahito yayau ||
অতিশয় দুঃখাকুল হয়ে তিনি কৌশল্যা, সুমিত্রা ও কৈকেয়ীকে যানবাহনে আগে পাঠালেন; তারপর শত্রুঘ্নকে সঙ্গে নিয়ে নিজে পদব্রজে অগ্রসর হলেন।
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as responsible care: even in personal anguish, one prioritizes the safety and dignity of dependents (sending the queens ahead) while oneself endures hardship, showing restraint, compassion, and duty over comfort.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that, in a moment of intense sorrow, the central figure dispatches Kausalyā, Sumitrā, and Kaikeyī ahead using conveyances, and then proceeds afterward together with Śatrughna, personally taking the more difficult course.