Shloka 50
देवतापितृप्रश्नः — Nārada at Badarīāśrama: the ultimate referent of daiva and pitṛ worship
न मातृपुत्रबान्धवा न संस्तुतः प्रियो जन: । अनुव्रजन्ति संकटे व्रजन्तमेकपातिनम्
na mātṛ-putra-bāndhavā na saṁstutaḥ priyo janaḥ | anuvrajanti saṅkaṭe vrajantaṁ eka-pātinam ||
व्यास ने कहा—संकट की उस घड़ी में, जब जीव अकेला ही परलोक के पथ पर प्रस्थान करता है, तब न माता, न पुत्र, न भाई-बन्धु, और न ही प्रशंसित प्रियजन उसके साथ जाते हैं।
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
At death and in the decisive crisis of departing for the next world, one goes alone; even the closest and most celebrated loved ones cannot accompany. Therefore one should cultivate dharma, virtue, and preparedness within oneself rather than depending on social ties.
Vyāsa delivers a reflective instruction in the Śānti Parva, emphasizing the solitary nature of the soul’s departure and using it to counsel detachment from reliance on family and worldly praise.