Shloka 203
भीष्मदर्शनार्थं प्रस्थानम्
Departure to Behold Bhīṣma
मेघघोषै रथवरै: प्रययुस्ते नरर्षभा: । रथपर बैठे-बैठे ही उन सबने बातचीत की
vaiśampāyana uvāca | meghaghoṣai rathavaraiḥ prayayus te nararṣabhāḥ |
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ces hommes, puissants comme des taureaux, partirent sur d’excellents chars dont le grondement profond rappelait le tonnerre des nuées. Assis sur leurs chars, ils conversèrent et, avec courtoisie, s’enquirent de la santé de chacun et du repos de la nuit. Puis ces hommes d’élite reprirent la route sur des chars au fracas grave, pareil au mugissement des orages.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights cultured conduct (sadācāra): even powerful men maintain mutual respect, inquire after one another’s welfare, and proceed with discipline—an ethical tone consistent with Śānti Parva’s emphasis on right conduct and social harmony.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the foremost men depart from the place in splendid chariots whose sound is likened to thunderclouds; before leaving, they converse and exchange well-being inquiries about the night’s comfort.