Shloka 26
Adhyāya 42 (Śānti Parva): Śrāddha, Aurdhvadaihika Rites, and Royal Welfare Measures
रत्नानि च विचित्राणि महाहाणि महायशा: । महायशस्वी राजा धुृतराष्ट्रने अपने पुत्रोंके श्राद्धमें समस्त कमनीय गुणोंसे युक्त अन्न, गो, धन और बहुमूल्य विचित्र रत्न प्रदान किये
ratnāni ca vicitrāṇi mahārhāṇi mahāyaśāḥ | mahāyaśasvī rājā dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ svaputrāṇāṃ śrāddhe samasta-kamanīya-guṇaiḥ yuktaṃ annaṃ go-dhanaṃ ca bahumūlya-vicitra-ratnāni pradadau |
Vaiśampāyana dijo: El ilustre rey Dhṛtarāṣṭra, célebre por su fama, ofreció en los ritos de śrāddha por sus hijos alimentos dotados de toda cualidad agradable, junto con vacas, riquezas y muchas gemas costosas y exquisitas. El relato subraya el empeño del rey por cumplir su deber hacia los difuntos mediante dádivas generosas, buscando mérito y decoro tras la devastación de su linaje.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights śrāddha and dāna as duties: honoring the departed through proper rites and generous giving. Ethical emphasis falls on fulfilling obligations with sincerity and abundance, using wealth to support dharmic acts and to seek merit for oneself and one’s ancestors.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that King Dhṛtarāṣṭra performs śrāddha for his sons and distributes high-quality food, cows, wealth, and precious gems as ritual gifts, reflecting royal-scale charity and the post-war context of mourning and duty.