Shloka 66
Adhyāya 42 (Śānti Parva): Śrāddha, Aurdhvadaihika Rites, and Royal Welfare Measures
उद्दिश्योद्दिश्य तेषां च चक्रे राजौर्ध्वदेहिकम् । इनके सिवा जो दूसरे भूपाल थे, जिनके सुहृद् या सम्बन्धी जीवित नहीं थे, उन सबके उद्देश्यसे राजा युधिष्ठिरने श्राद्ध-कर्म किया
uddiśyoddiśya teṣāṁ ca cakre rājordhvadehikam |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Dengan menyebut mereka satu per satu, sang raja melaksanakan upacara pascakematian (śrāddha/aurdhvadehika) bagi mereka. Bahkan bagi raja-raja lain yang gugur—yang tidak memiliki sahabat atau kerabat yang masih hidup untuk mempersembahkan sesaji—Yudhiṣṭhira pun melakukan śrāddha atas nama mereka.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after victory, a ruler’s dharma includes honoring the dead and ensuring proper rites for those who have no one left to perform them. Ethical responsibility extends beyond one’s own allies to all who suffered in the conflict.
In the aftermath of the great war, Yudhiṣṭhira arranges and performs ūrdhvadehika (śrāddha/post-funeral) rites, naming the departed individually, including fallen kings who lacked surviving relatives or friends to conduct the ceremonies.