Shloka 26
Śaṅkha–Likhita Upākhyāna: Daṇḍa, Confession, and the Purification of Kingship (शङ्ख-लिखितोपाख्यानम्)
तानिमे भरतश्रेष्ठ प्राप्तुवन्तु महारथा: । “तात! महाराज युधिष्ठिर! वनमें रहते समय तुम्हारे मनस्वी भाइयोंके मनमें जो-जो मनोरथ उत्पन्न हुए थे
tān ime bharataśreṣṭha prāptuvantu mahārathāḥ | tāt! mahārāja yudhiṣṭhira! vanam̐ me r̥hate samaye tava manasvino bhrātṝṇāṁ manasi yo yo manoratha utpanna āsīt, bharataśreṣṭha! tān ime mahārathī vīrāḥ prāpnuvantu | saṁyuktātmā samareṣv ātātāyī śastraiś chinnaḥ dasyubhir vadhyamānaḥ | aśvagrīvaḥ karmaśīlo mahātmā saṁsiddhārtho modate svargaloke ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O Bester der Bhāratas! Mögen diese großen Wagenkämpfer eben jene Ziele erreichen, die in den Herzen deiner hochgesinnten Brüder aufstiegen, als sie im Wald lebten. Obgleich selbstbeherrscht und obgleich sie in der Schlacht wie unermüdliche Angreifer kämpften, wurden sie von Waffen zerschnitten und von Räubern erschlagen. Nun aber frohlockt der großherzige, pflichtgetreue Aśvagrīva—sein Vorhaben vollendet—in der Himmelswelt.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage contrasts intention and outcome: even disciplined, valorous effort in war can be overturned by unforeseen violence, yet ethical valuation is framed through karma and fulfillment—one who is ‘karmaśīla’ and ‘saṁsiddhārtha’ is portrayed as attaining heavenly joy. It underscores the Mahābhārata theme that results are not fully controllable, but duty and inner resolve remain morally significant.
Vaiśaṃpāyana addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, invoking the wishes that arose in the Pāṇḍavas’ hearts during their forest life and expressing a benediction that great warriors may attain those aims. He then notes that, despite fighting with controlled minds, they were cut down and killed by bandits; meanwhile, a figure named Aśvagrīva, described as industrious and noble, is said to be rejoicing in heaven with his purpose fulfilled.