Shloka 116

Yudhiṣṭhira’s Grief, Kṛṣṇa’s Consolation, and Vyāsa’s Admonition (युधिष्ठिरशोक-निवारणोपदेशः)

Devanagari script

यदि मामनुजानीयाद भवान्‌ गन्तुं तपोवनम्‌ | (कृतकृत्यो भविष्यामि इति मे निश्चिता मतिः ।) चक्र और गदा धारण करनेवाले श्रीमान्‌ यादवनन्दन! यदि आप प्रसन्न मनसे मुझे तपोवनमें जानेकी आज्ञा दे दें तो मेरा सारा और महान प्रिय कार्य सम्पन्न हो जाय। उस दशामें मैं कृतकार्य हो जाऊँगा

Transliteration

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | yadi mām anujānīyād bhavān gantuṁ tapovanam | kṛtakṛtyo bhaviṣyāmīti me niścitā matiḥ | cakra-gadā-dhāriṇe śrīmate yādavanandana! yadi tvaṁ prasanna-manāsā māṁ tapovane gantuṁ ājñāpayet, tadā me sarvaṁ mahad iṣṭa-kāryaṁ sampannaṁ syāt; tasmin daśāyāṁ kṛtakāryo bhaveyam—iti me niścayaḥ ||

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “If you would grant me permission to go to the forest of austerities, I would consider my life’s purpose fulfilled—this is my settled conviction. O illustrious son of the Yadus, bearer of discus and mace! If, with a pleased mind, you allow me to depart for the ascetic grove, then my greatest and most cherished aim will be accomplished; in that state I shall be one who has done what must be done.”

Word by Word

• {'anujānīyāt': 'would permit, would grant leave', 'bhavān': 'you (honorific)', 'gantuṁ': 'to go', 'tapovanam': 'grove/forest of austerities

• hermitage-region for ascetic practice', 'kṛtakṛtyaḥ': 'one who has accomplished what ought to be done

• fulfilled in duty', 'bhaviṣyāmi': 'I shall become', 'niścitā matiḥ': 'firmly resolved understanding/conviction', 'cakra': 'discus (Sudarśana), emblematic weapon of Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa', 'gadā': 'mace, emblematic weapon', 'dhārin': 'bearer, wielder', 'śrīmat': 'illustrious, glorious, revered', 'yādavanandana': 'delight of the Yadus

• epithet of Kṛṣṇa', 'prasanna-manās': 'with a pleased/serene mind', 'ājñāpayet': 'should आदेश/command/authorize', 'iṣṭa-kārya': 'desired and valued undertaking', 'sampanna': 'completed, accomplished', 'daśā': 'condition, state', 'niścaya': 'certainty, resolve'}

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Kṛṣṇa (Yādavanandana; bearer of cakra and gadā)
• Tapovana (forest/hermitage of austerities)
• Cakra (discus)
• Gadā (mace)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical impulse toward renunciation and expiation: Yudhiṣṭhira believes that withdrawing to a life of austerity can complete his moral task. It also underscores the dharmic principle that even a righteous aim should be pursued with proper authorization and guidance—here, by seeking Kṛṣṇa’s consent.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Ashvamedhika context after the great war, Yudhiṣṭhira, burdened by responsibility and grief, expresses a desire to go to a tapovana (ascetic retreat). He addresses Kṛṣṇa with reverence and asks for permission, stating that such permission would make him feel his most cherished purpose has been fulfilled.