Shloka 10
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
इत्युक्त्वा धर्मराज: स वासुदेवस्य धीमत: । मातुलस्य च वृद्धस्य रामादीनां तथैव च
ity uktvā dharmarājaḥ sa vāsudevasya dhīmataḥ | mātulasya ca vṛddhasya rāmādīnāṃ tathaiva ca
Setelah berkata demikian, Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira pun menyapa Vāsudeva yang bijaksana, juga paman dari pihak ibu yang telah lanjut usia, serta Balarāma dan yang lainnya, dengan hormat sebagaimana layaknya kepada para sesepuh.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dhārmic conduct through deference to wisdom and seniority: before undertaking a decisive course, Dharmarāja turns to revered figures—Vāsudeva and elders—signaling that ethical action is grounded in respectful consultation and honoring those worthy of regard.
After making a preceding statement, Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharmarāja) now directs his attention to Vāsudeva, his aged maternal uncle, and to Rāma and others—indicating he is addressing or taking leave of key elders and kin at the outset of the Mahāprasthāna (the great departure).