Shloka 153
Āśvamedhika-parva, Adhyāya 14
Consolation of Yudhiṣṭhira; Rites and Gifts; Return to Hastināpura
सहितो धृतराष्ट्रेण स ददावौर्ध्वदेहिकम् । कुरुश्रेष्ठ! धृतराष्ट्रसहित उन्होंने भीष्म और कर्ण आदि कुरुवंशियोंके निमित्त और्ध्वदैहिक क्रिया (श्राद्ध)-में ब्राह्मणोंको बड़े-बड़े दान दिये
sahito dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa sa dadāv aurdhvadehikam | kuruśreṣṭha dhṛtarāṣṭrasahitaḥ sa bhīṣma-karṇādy-arthaṃ kuruvaṃśināṃ nimittam aurdhvadaihika-kriyāyāṃ (śrāddhe) brāhmaṇebhyo mahā-dānāni dadau ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Accompanied by Dhṛtarāṣṭra, he performed the post-funeral rites. O best of the Kurus, together with Dhṛtarāṣṭra he made great gifts to Brahmins during the śrāddha—rites offered for the departed—on behalf of the Kuru lineage, such as Bhīṣma and Karṇa. The passage underscores the ethical duty of honoring the dead through prescribed rites and generous giving, even after the devastation of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma after conflict: honoring the departed through śrāddha (aurdhvadaihika rites) and supporting Brahmins through generous dāna. Ethical responsibility continues beyond war, expressed as remembrance, ritual propriety, and charity.
The speaker reports that, together with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the principal actor performs post-death rites for fallen Kuru figures such as Bhīṣma and Karṇa, and gives substantial donations to Brahmins as part of the śrāddha ceremonies.