Shloka 18
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Śrāddha Request and Bhīma’s Objection (Āśramavāsika-parva, Adhyāya 17)
प्रादुष्कृताग्निरभवत् स च वृद्धो नराधिप: । स राजाग्नीन् पर्युपास्य हुत्वा च विधिवत् तदा,इति श्रीमहाभारते आश्रमवासिके पर्वणि आश्रमवासपर्वणि अष्टादशो< ध्याय: ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
prāduṣkṛtāgnir abhavat sa ca vṛddho narādhipaḥ |
sa rājāgnīn paryupāsya hutvā ca vidhivat tadā || 18 ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Le feu s’embrasa, et le roi âgé se trouvait là. Après avoir veillé sur les feux sacrés et offert les oblations selon la règle, le roi acheva alors le rite.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in advanced age and after worldly responsibilities, dharma is upheld through disciplined, rule-governed conduct—here symbolized by reverent tending of the sacred fires and proper oblations.
The narrator describes an aged king in the forest-ascetic setting: the ritual fire is kindled/blazes forth, and the king duly worships the sacred fires and performs the prescribed offerings.