Shloka 21
वसुदेव–अर्जुन संवादः
Vasudeva–Arjuna Dialogue in the Aftermath of Dvārakā
तस्याश्वमेधिकं छत्र॑ दीप्यमानाश्ष॒ पावका: । पुरस्तात् तस्य यानस्य याजकाश्न ततो ययु:,उनकी अरथीके आगे-आगे अश्वमेध-यज्ञमें उपयोग किया हुआ छत्र तथा अग्निहोत्रकी प्रज्वलित अग्नि लिये याजक ब्राह्मण चल रहे थे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tasyāśvamedhikaṃ chatraṃ dīpyamānāś ca pāvakāḥ | purastāt tasya yānasya yājakāś ca tato yayuḥ |
વૈશમ્પાયન બોલ્યા—તે યાનની આગળ અશ્વમેધ યજ્ઞમાં ઉપયોગમાં આવેલું છત્ર અને અગ્નિહોત્રની પ્રજ્વલિત અગ્નિ ધારણ કરેલા યાજક બ્રાહ્મણો ચાલતા હતા.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how dharma is expressed through ritual continuity and respectful conduct: even at a time of death and transition, the community preserves sacred order by honoring the departed with symbols of consecration (Aśvamedha paraphernalia) and the ever-living sacred fires, affirming that kingship and sacrifice are ultimately accountable to Vedic sanctity.
A solemn procession is moving forward; in front of the conveyance, officiating priests walk carrying the Aśvamedha parasol and the blazing ritual fires. These items function as ceremonial markers of the deceased’s royal-sacrificial status and as part of the rites accompanying the final journey.