Shloka 32

Kṛṣṇa’s Departure, Auspicious Omens, and the Opening of the Uttaṅka Dialogue (कृष्णप्रयाण-निमित्त-उत्तङ्कसंवाद-प्रारम्भः)

Devanagari script

ततो निशि महाराजो धृतराष्ट्र: कुरूद्वहान्‌

Transliteration

tato niśi mahārājo dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ kurūdvahān | rājñā visṛṣṭās te sarve svāni svāni gṛhāṇi jagmuḥ ||

Translation

Then, in the night, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra dismissed the foremost of the Kurus. Having received the king’s leave, all of them—along with Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa—departed to their respective homes. The scene underscores royal propriety and restraint: even after great upheavals, social order is maintained through formal permission, respectful departure, and adherence to duty.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात् अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya

• निशि: at night
• निशि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा
• Form: Feminine, Locative, Singular

• महाराजः: the great king
• महाराजः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाराज
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• धृतराष्ट्रः: Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• धृतराष्ट्रः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृतराष्ट्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कुरूद्वहान्: the foremost among the Kurus (excellent Kuru heroes)
• कुरूद्वहान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरूद्वह
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Kuru heroes (Kurūdvahāḥ)
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharma in the form of maryādā (proper conduct): departures occur with the ruler’s explicit permission, reflecting restraint, respect, and the maintenance of social order even after conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

At night, Dhṛtarāṣṭra formally grants leave to the foremost Kuru figures (and Śrī Kṛṣṇa), and, having received the king’s dismissal, they all return to their respective homes.