Shloka 11
Adhyāya 42 (Śānti Parva): Śrāddha, Aurdhvadaihika Rites, and Royal Welfare Measures
सर्वास्ता: कौरवो राजा सम्पूज्यापालयद् घृणी । वहाँ जो कोई भी स्त्रियाँ थीं, जिनके पति और पुत्र मारे गये थे, उन सबका कृपालु कुरुवंशी राजा युधिष्ठिर बड़े आदरके साथ पालन-पोषण करते थे ।।
sarvāstāḥ kauravo rājā sampūjya apālayad ghṛṇī | dīnāndhakṛpaṇānāṃ ca gṛhācchādanabhojanaiḥ ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: Raja Kuru yang penuh belas kasih, Yudhiṣṭhira, setelah menghormati semua perempuan itu sebagaimana mestinya, melindungi dan memelihara mereka. Ia pun menanggung kaum papa, para tunanetra, dan orang-orang melarat—dengan menyediakan rumah, pakaian, dan makanan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a king’s duty is not only to rule but to protect and sustain the vulnerable—especially those harmed by war—through respectful care and material support (shelter, clothing, food).
In the post-war setting of Śānti Parva, Vaiśampāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s compassionate governance: he honors and maintains the bereaved women and supports the poor, blind, and destitute with basic necessities.