Shloka 45
अध्याय ८२ — केशवप्रयाणे निमित्तदर्शनम्
Omens and Reception During Keśava’s Departure
न नूनं प्रियते दुःखै: सा चेज्जीवति केशव । तथा पुत्रादिभिर्गाढमार्ता ह्यानर्तसत्कृत,आनर्तदेशके सम्मानित वीर केशव! यह निश्चित नहीं है कि मनुष्य दुःखोंसे घबराकर मर ही जाता हो। इसलिये कदाचित् वह जीवित हो, तो भी पुत्रोंकी चिन्तासे अत्यन्त पीड़ित ही होगी
na nūnaṁ priyate duḥkhaiḥ sā cej jīvati keśava | tathā putrādibhir gāḍhamārtā hy ānartasatkṛtā ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Surely it is not certain, Keśava, that a person must die merely from being overwhelmed by sorrow. Therefore, if she is still alive, then even so—honoured in the land of Ānarta—she must be suffering intensely, tormented by anxiety for her sons and the rest.”
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a realistic ethical insight: suffering does not always end life, and survival does not mean relief. One should recognize that a person may continue living while bearing intense inner anguish—especially anxiety for children and dependents—thus calling for compassion and responsible action rather than assumptions.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Kṛṣṇa (Keśava) while reflecting on the condition of a woman connected to the events. He reasons that she may still be alive despite great sorrow, yet if alive she would be severely distressed, even if she is being honoured in Ānarta, because her mind would be consumed by worry for her sons and family.