Shloka 116
अहन्यहनि भूतानि गच्छन्तीह यमालयम् | शेषा: स्थावरमिच्छन्ति किमाश्चर्यमत: परम्,संसारसे रोज-रोज प्राणी यमलोकमें जा रहे हैं; किंतु जो बचे हुए हैं, वे सर्वदा जीते रहनेकी इच्छा करते हैं; इससे बढ़कर आश्चर्य और क्या होगा?
ahany ahani bhūtāni gacchantīha yamālayam | śeṣāḥ sthāvaram icchanti kim āścaryam ataḥ param ||
Hari demi hari makhluk-makhluk pergi ke kediaman Yama; namun mereka yang tertinggal tetap mendambakan hidup kekal. Keajaiban apa yang lebih besar daripada ini?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological paradox: although death is witnessed daily, people still cling to the expectation of lasting life. It urges humility, realism about impermanence, and a dharmic orientation that prepares the mind for loss and change.
In the Vana Parva’s Yakṣa-prashna context, Yudhiṣṭhira answers a probing question about what is most astonishing in the world. He points to the everyday visibility of death contrasted with the survivors’ persistent desire for permanence.