अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
अर्जुनका विचार जानकर भीमसेन और नकुल-सहदेवने भी उनकी कही हुई बातका अनुमोदन किया ।।
tato yuyutsum ānīya pravrajan dharmakāmyayā | rājyaṃ paridadau sarvaṃ vaiśyāputre yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Als Arjunas Ansicht bekannt war, billigten auch Bhīmasena sowie Nakula und Sahadeva seine Worte. Daraufhin ließ Yudhiṣṭhira, der nach Dharma verlangte und den Weg der Entsagung antreten wollte, Yuyutsu—den Sohn einer Vaiśyā—rufen und übertrug ihm die gesamte Verwaltung des Reiches.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even when choosing renunciation, one should act responsibly: dharma includes ensuring social order and continuity of governance. Yudhiṣṭhira’s departure is paired with a conscientious transfer of duty, showing that ethical withdrawal is not neglect but orderly relinquishment.
As the Pāṇḍavas prepare for the Mahāprasthāna (the great departure), Yudhiṣṭhira summons Yuyutsu and entrusts him with the full charge of the kingdom, so that the realm remains administered while the brothers leave for their final journey.