Shloka 292
Araṇi Lost to the Deer: Pāṇḍavas Pursue to Preserve Agnihotra (अरणी-हरण प्रसङ्गः)
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत वनपर्वके अन्तर्गत रामोपाख्यानपर्वरें युधिष्ठिरको आश्वासनविषयक दो सौ बानबेवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
iti prakāraḥ śrīmahābhārate vanaparvaṇi antargata-rāmopākhyāna-parvaṇi yudhiṣṭhirasya āśvāsana-viṣayakaḥ dviśata-dvānavati-tamo 'dhyāyaḥ samāptaḥ
Thus, in the revered Mahābhārata, within the Vana Parva, the section known as the Rāmopākhyāna comes to a close: the 292nd chapter, concerned with consoling and reassuring Yudhiṣṭhira, is completed. The colophon signals a pause in the narration, emphasizing the ethical purpose of the episode—strengthening resolve through exemplary precedent.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The colophon highlights the didactic aim of the Rāmopākhyāna: to console Yudhiṣṭhira and reinforce dharmic endurance by recalling an exemplary story where righteousness is tested yet ultimately upheld.
This is an end-of-chapter/end-of-section notice stating that, within the Vana Parva, the Rāmopākhyāna-related chapter focused on reassuring Yudhiṣṭhira has concluded.