Shloka 34
पाण्डव्स्त्वब्रवीद् भ्रातून् सत्कारेण महीपतिम्,पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिरने अपने भाइयोंसे कहा--“दमघोष-पुत्र वीर राजा शिशुपालका अन्त्येष्टि संस्कार बड़े सत्कारके साथ करो, इसमें देर न लगाओ।” पाण्डवोंने भाईकी उस आज्ञाका यथार्थरूपसे पालन किया
pāṇḍavastvabravīd bhrātṝn satkāreṇa mahīpatim | pāṇḍunandana yudhiṣṭhirena bhrātṝn prati—“damaghoṣa-putrasya vīrasya rājñaḥ śiśupālasya antyeṣṭi-saṃskāraṃ mahā-satkāreṇa kuruta, mā vilambata” iti | pāṇḍavāś ca tasya bhrātuḥ ājñāṃ yathārtha-rūpeṇa pālayām āsuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Pāṇḍu, addressed his brothers with due courtesy, instructing them: “Perform without delay, and with full honor, the funeral rites of the heroic king Śiśupāla, son of Damaghoṣa.” The Pāṇḍavas carried out their brother’s command exactly as given—upholding the ethic that even a fallen adversary is owed proper rites and royal respect.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in the form of dignified conduct: even after conflict, a king (and those under him) should ensure proper funeral rites and honor for the deceased, reflecting restraint, respect for social-religious obligations, and impartial royal ethics.
After Śiśupāla’s death, Yudhiṣṭhira instructs his brothers to perform Śiśupāla’s antyeṣṭi (funeral rites) promptly and with full royal honor; the Pāṇḍavas obey his order faithfully.