Shloka 97
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
भानुर्यावत् प्रयात्यस्तं यावच्च विमला दिश: । तावदेनं परित्यज्य प्रेतकार्याण्युपासत,जबतक सूर्य डूब नहीं जाते हैं और जबतक दिशाएँ निर्मल हैं, तभीतक इसे यहाँ छोड़कर तुमलोग इसके प्रेतकार्यमें लग जाओ
bhānur yāvat prayāty astaṃ yāvac ca vimalā diśaḥ | tāvad enaṃ parityajya pretakāryāṇy upāsata ||
“So long as the sun has not yet set and the quarters remain clear, leave this one here for the time being and attend to the rites due to the departed.”
गृध्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharma as timely obligation: when death has occurred, one should set aside other concerns and promptly perform the prescribed rites for the departed while conditions and time are suitable.
Gṛdhra addresses others present, instructing them to leave the body/person in place for the moment and to begin the funeral duties before sunset, while the surroundings remain clear.