Shloka 1
Kuntī’s Prayers and the Neutralization of the Brahmāstra
Uttarā Protected; Yudhiṣṭhira’s Grief Begins
सूत उवाच अथ ते सम्परेतानां स्वानामुदकमिच्छताम् । दातुं सकृष्णा गङ्गायां पुरस्कृत्य ययु: स्त्रिय: ॥ १ ॥
sūta uvāca atha te samparetānāṁ svānām udakam icchatām dātuṁ sakṛṣṇā gaṅgāyāṁ puraskṛtya yayuḥ striyaḥ
Sūta sprach: Danach gingen die Pāṇḍavas, in dem Wunsch, ihren verstorbenen Angehörigen das Tarpaṇa-Wasser darzubringen, mit Draupadī zur Gaṅgā; die Frauen schritten voraus.
To date it is the custom in Hindu society to go to the Ganges or any other sacred river to take bath when death occurs in the family. Each of the family members pours out a potful of the Ganges water for the departed soul and walks in a procession, with the ladies in the front. The Pāṇḍavas also followed the rules more than five thousand years ago. Lord Kṛṣṇa, being a cousin of the Pāṇḍavas, was also amongst the family members.
FAQs
This verse notes that the women went to the Gaṅgā to offer udaka (water-libations) for their departed relatives, showing that such rites are part of dharmic conduct even for great devotees.
They went to perform oblations for those who had passed away, and Kṛṣṇa led them—indicating His protective, guiding presence for His devotees after the trauma of Kurukṣetra.
Perform one’s duties for family and ancestors with sincerity, while seeking the Lord’s shelter—balancing devotion with responsible, compassionate tradition.