Shloka 31
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
जीवितं मरणं चैव राज्यमैश्वर्यमेव च । आपूृष्टो मेडसि कौन्तेय स्वस्ति प्राप्तुहि भारत,वीरवर! निश्चय ही आपके चले जानेके बाद आपके सभी भाई जागते समय आपहीके पराक्रमकी चर्चा बार-बार करते हुए अपना मन बहलायेंगे। पार्थ! दीर्घकालके लिये आपके प्रवासी हो जानेपर हमारा मन न तो भोगोंमें लगेगा और न धनमें ही। इस जीवनमें भी कोई रस नहीं रह जायगा। आपके बिना हम इन वस्तुओंसे संतोष नहीं पा सकेंगे। पार्थ! हम सबके सुख-दुःख, जीवन-मरण तथा राज्य-ऐश्वर्य आपपर ही निर्भर हैं। भरतकुलतिलक! कुन्तीकुमार! मैंने आपको विदा दी; आप कल्याणको प्राप्त हों
jīvitaṃ maraṇaṃ caiva rājyam aiśvaryam eva ca | āpṛṣṭo medasi kaunteya svasti prāptuhi bhārata vīravara ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Life and death, and likewise kingship and sovereignty—these all rest upon you. Having taken leave of you, O son of Kuntī, may you attain well-being, O scion of Bharata, best of heroes.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames leadership and protection as moral responsibility: the community’s welfare—symbolized by life/death and rule/sovereignty—is seen as resting on the hero’s steadfastness. The closing blessing underscores dharmic departure: one should leave on duty with auspicious intent and concern for others’ well-being.
In the Vana Parva context, the speaker (reported by Vaiśampāyana) marks a formal leave-taking addressed to Kaunteya (Arjuna), acknowledging his central role and offering an auspicious benediction for his onward journey.