Shloka 24
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Śrāddha Request and Bhīma’s Objection (Āśramavāsika-parva, Adhyāya 17)
ह॒त्वाग्निं विधिवत सर्वे प्रययुस्ते यथाक्रमम् । उदड़्मुखा निरीक्षन्त उपवासपरायणा:
hutvā agniṁ vidhivat sarve prayayus te yathākramam | udaṅmukhā nirīkṣanta upavāsaparāyaṇāḥ ||
Setelah mempersembahkan oblations ke dalam api suci menurut tata aturan, mereka semua berangkat dengan tertib. Teguh dalam puasa, menghadap ke utara dan menatap ke arah itu, mereka melangkah maju.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic discipline: before undertaking a significant departure, one completes prescribed rites (agnihotra/oblations) and practices self-restraint (fasting). The northward orientation symbolizes a deliberate, vow-bound movement toward austerity and higher aims rather than comfort.
After performing the proper fire-offering, the group departs in orderly sequence. They have observed an overnight fast and proceed facing north, keeping their attention fixed ahead, indicating a solemn, regulated journey consistent with ascetic or vow-based conduct.