Shloka 4
Jājali–Tulādhāra-saṃvāda: Yajña, Vṛtti, and Ātma-tīrtha (जाजलि-तुलाधार-संवादः)
अथ चेमे महाप्राज्ञा: शेरते हि गतासव: । मृता इति च शब्दो<यं वर्तत्येषु गतासुषु
atha ceme mahāprājñāḥ śerate hi gatāsavaḥ | mṛtā iti ca śabdo ’yaṃ vartaty eṣu gatāsuṣu ||
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «Y ahora estos reyes de gran sabiduría yacen aquí, privados de aliento vital. Cuando el soplo de vida se ha marchado, se aplica a tales seres la palabra “muerto”: la gente dice: “Han muerto”.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how death is recognized and spoken of: once the life-breath departs, society applies the designation “dead.” It points toward reflection on impermanence and the ethical gravity of seeing fallen rulers as lifeless bodies rather than living agents.
In the aftermath of the great conflict, Yudhiṣṭhira observes the fallen kings lying motionless. He remarks on the common human usage of the term “dead” for those whose vital breath has departed, setting a contemplative tone for further inquiry into life, death, and dharma.