Shloka 44
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
भरतश्रेष्ठ] इसके बाद अग्निदेव वहीं अन्तर्धान हो गये और पाण्डववीर वहाँसे दक्षिणाभिमुख होकर चल दिये ।। ततस्ते तूत्तरेणैव तीरेण लवणाम्भस: । जम्मुर्भरतशार्दूल दिशं दक्षिणपश्चिमाम्
tataḥ te tūttareṇaiva tīreṇa lavaṇāmbhasaḥ | jagmur bharataśārdūla diśaṃ dakṣiṇapaścimām ||
Ensuite, Agnidéva disparut sur-le-champ en ce lieu même, et les héros Pāṇḍava s’en allèrent de là, tournés vers le sud. Puis, ô tigre parmi les Bhārata, ils cheminèrent le long de la rive septentrionale de l’océan salé, se dirigeant vers le quartier du sud-ouest.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in dharma during life’s final passage: once duties are completed and attachments relinquished, one proceeds without hesitation, accepting the path that remains with discipline and inner resolve.
Vaishampayana describes the Pandavas continuing their great departure, traveling along the northern shore of the salt ocean and heading toward the south‑western quarter, marking a further stage in their final pilgrimage.