Shloka 23
Kurukṣetra–Samantapañcaka Māhātmya: King Kuru’s Ploughing and Indra’s Boon (प्रजापतेरुत्तरवेदिः समन्तपञ्चकं)
एवमुक्त्वा ततः साध्वी देहं त्यक्त्वा दिवं गता । ऋषिरप्यभवद् दीनस्तस्या रूप॑ विचिन्तयन्,ऐसा कहकर वह साध्वी तपस्विनी देह त्यागकर स्वर्गलोकमें चली गयी और मुनि उसके दिव्यरूपका चिन्तन करते हुए बहुत दुःखी हो गये
evam uktvā tataḥ sādhvī dehaṃ tyaktvā divaṃ gatā | ṛṣir apy abhavad dīnas tasyā rūpaṃ vicintayan |
Having spoken thus, the virtuous ascetic woman abandoned her body and went to heaven. The sage too became despondent, continually contemplating her radiant form—showing how attachment and grief can persist even in the presence of evident spiritual attainment.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes spiritual accomplishment (the sādhvī attaining heaven by relinquishing the body) with the sage’s human sorrow, highlighting that even the wise may struggle with attachment and grief; dharma calls for discernment and inner steadiness in the face of separation.
After delivering her final words, the virtuous woman gives up her body and ascends to heaven. The sage, left behind, becomes deeply sad and keeps thinking about her divine form.