Shloka 44
Chapter 26: Śoka-pratiṣedha, Hata-saṅkhyā, Gati-vibhāga, Pretakārya-ājñā
Restraint of Grief, Count of the Slain, Destinies, and Funerary Directives
कारयित्वा क्रियास्तेषां कुरुराजो युधिष्ठिर: । धृतराष्ट्रं पुरस्कृत्य गड्जामभिमुखो5गमत्,इस प्रकार उन सबका दाहकर्म कराकर कुरुराज युधिष्छिर धृतराष्ट्रको आगे करके गंगाजीकी ओर चले गये
kārayitvā kriyās teṣāṃ kururājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ puraskṛtya gaṅgām abhimukho 'gamat ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Nachdem er die Totenriten für sie hatte vollziehen lassen, brach Yudhiṣṭhira—König der Kurus—zur Gaṅgā auf und stellte Dhṛtarāṣṭra an die Spitze.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in action: even amid grief and political upheaval, the king must ensure proper last rites for the dead and then proceed toward purification and social-ethical restoration, honoring elders (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) despite the conflict’s bitterness.
After arranging the cremation and related rites for the slain, Yudhiṣṭhira departs toward the river Gaṅgā, respectfully placing Dhṛtarāṣṭra at the head of the procession, signaling a shift from mourning rituals to a journey associated with cleansing and further rites.