Shloka 6
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 23: Report of the Slain Sūtaputras, Royal Orders, and Sairandhrī’s Return
अथवा नैव हन्तव्या दहाुतां कामिना सह | मृतस्यापि प्रियं कार्य सूतपुत्रस्य सर्वथा
athavā naiva hantavyā dahyutāṃ kāminā saha | mṛtasyāpi priyaṃ kāryaṃ sūtaputrasya sarvathā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Or else, she should not be killed at all; let her be burned together with the lustful Kīcaka’s corpse. Even for one who is dead, whatever is dear to the charioteer’s son should be done in every way, to please his spirit.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse reflects a pragmatic ethical stance: even when dealing with wrongdoing and death, actions are weighed against social and ritual expectations—doing what is considered ‘pleasing’ or proper for the deceased (here, Kīcaka) is presented as a duty, suggesting how dharma can be framed through custom, reputation, and expediency.
In the aftermath of Kīcaka’s death, a proposal is voiced: instead of killing the woman in question, she should be cremated along with Kīcaka’s body, and whatever is deemed dear to the ‘charioteer’s son’ (Kīcaka) should be carried out fully—indicating attempts to manage the situation through funerary action and appeasement.