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 berkata: Api pun menyala, dan sang raja tua berada di sana. Ia memelihara api- api suci itu dengan semestinya dan mempersembahkan persembahan (homa) menurut aturan, lalu menuntaskan ritusnya.
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.