Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
अफ--णकात अशीतितमो<्ध्याय: चित्रांगदाका विलाप
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato bahutaraṃ bhīrur vilapya kamalekṣaṇā | mumoh duḥkha-santaptā papāta ca mahītale ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Kemudian Citrāṅgadā yang bermata laksana teratai, berhati lembut dan mudah gentar, meratap panjang. Terbakar oleh duka perpisahan dari suaminya, ia pun pingsan dan jatuh ke tanah.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the human cost of conflict: sorrow and collapse follow separation and loss. Ethically, it invites compassion and responsible action from those who can heal or restore, rather than indifference to suffering.
After the crisis involving Arjuna (in the surrounding episode), Citrāṅgadā is overwhelmed by grief at her husband’s separation and fate; she laments intensely, faints, and falls to the ground as Vaiśampāyana narrates to King Janamejaya.