Shloka 44
परिक्षिद्वृत्तान्तप्रश्नः
Inquiry into Parīkṣit’s Conduct and the Beginnings of His Downfall
इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत आदिपव॑के अन्तर्गत आस्तीकपव॑रमोें जनमेजयराज्याभिषेकसम्बन्धी चौवालीसवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
Iti prakāraḥ Śrīmahābhārata-Ādiparvaṇi antar-gata Āstīka-parvaṇi Janamejaya-rājyābhiṣeka-sambandhī catuścatvāriṃśattamo 'dhyāyaḥ pūrṇaḥ.
Thus ends the forty-fourth chapter of the Āstīka section within the Ādi Parva of the Śrī Mahābhārata, concerning King Janamejaya’s royal consecration. The colophon formally closes this unit, placing what follows within the frame of legitimate kingship and the ritual order that upholds political authority.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage functions as a formal colophon: it emphasizes the importance of ritual order and legitimate succession by noting that the chapter concerns Janamejaya’s consecration, reminding readers that political authority in the epic world is grounded in dharmic rites and recognized continuity.
The text is marking the end of the forty-fourth chapter within the Āstīka section of the Ādi Parva, specifically identifying the chapter’s topic as King Janamejaya’s royal consecration and signaling a transition to the next unit.