Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 15
ततो<सस््य विधिवच्चक्रुः पितृमेधं महात्मन:
tato 'sya vidhivac cakruḥ pitṛmedhaṃ mahātmanaḥ | apasavyam akurvanta dhṛtarāṣṭramukhāśritāḥ ||
Entonces celebraron debidamente el rito funerario (pitṛmedha) para el magnánimo Bhīṣma. Guiados por Dhṛtarāṣṭra y los principales entre los Kaurava, cumplieron las observancias prescritas, incluida la circunvalación ritual en sentido inverso, propia de las ceremonias fúnebres. Así, con solemne corrección, honraron al anciano caído, afirmando el dharma mediante los ritos justos aun tras la devastación de la guerra.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after catastrophic conflict, dharma is upheld through proper conduct toward elders and the dead: performing prescribed rites with sincerity restores moral order, expresses gratitude, and affirms social and spiritual responsibility beyond personal enmity.
After Bhīṣma’s passing, the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas—led by Dhṛtarāṣṭra—carry out his funerary rites in full accordance with ritual law, including the apasavya (counterclockwise) movement appropriate to funeral ceremonies, along with offerings into fire and Vedic chanting.