Mahabharata 11.1.23 — Stree Parva, Adhyaya 1, Shloka 23
स्त्रीपर्व १: धृतराष्ट्रशोकः संजयाश्वासनं च
Strī Parva 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament and Saṃjaya’s Consolation
शोकं राजन व्यपनुद श्रुतास्ते वेदनिश्चया: । शास्त्रागमाश्च विविधा वृद्धेभ्यो नृपसत्तम
śokaṃ rājan vyapanuda śrutās te vedaniścayāḥ | śāstrāgamāś ca vividhā vṛddhebhyo nṛpasattama ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: O King, cast away your grief. You have already heard the settled conclusions of the Vedas, and from elders you have received the diverse teachings of the śāstras and the traditional authorities. Therefore, O best of kings, do not let sorrow overpower your discernment.
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Grief should be restrained through discernment grounded in authoritative knowledge: the settled conclusions of the Vedas, the guidance of śāstra and āgama, and the counsel of elders. Sorrow is acknowledged but should not eclipse dharmic understanding.
Vaiśaṃpāyana addresses the king (Janamejaya) and urges him to set aside sorrow, reminding him that he has already heard established scriptural teachings and the varied counsel handed down by wise elders—preparing the listener to receive the ensuing account with steadiness.
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