Shloka 19
Adhyāya 62: Sañjaya’s Admonition to Dhṛtarāṣṭra on Rāja-dharma and Consequence
गत: पुण्यकृतां लोकान् व्याप्य स्ववशसा दिश: । स चेन्ममार सृज्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया,उन्होंने अपने सुयशसे सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंको व्याप्त करके पुण्यात्माओंके लोकोंमें पदार्पण किया। श्वैत्य सूंजय! वे पूर्वोक्त चारों कल्याणकारी गुणोंमें तुमसे बहुत बढ़े-चढ़े थे और तुम्हारे पुत्रसे भी अधिक पुण्यात्मा थे। जब वे भी मर गये तब औरोंकी क्या बात है। अतः तुम यज्ञ और दान-दक्षिणासे रहित अपने पुत्रके लिये शोक न करो। ऐसा नारदजीने कहा
gataḥ puṇyakṛtāṃ lokān vyāpya svavaśasā diśaḥ | sa cen mamāra sṛñjaya caturbhadrataras tvayā ||
Nārada said: “He has departed to the worlds attained by the doers of merit, having filled the quarters with his fame and influence. O Sṛñjaya, even one who was endowed with four auspicious excellences—surpassing you—has died; what then is there to be said of others? Therefore do not grieve for your son, who was without sacrifice and without gifts and priestly fees.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the most virtuous and illustrious must die; therefore grief should be moderated by understanding impermanence and by reflecting on dharma—especially the value of sacrifice, generosity, and righteous conduct as the true supports beyond death.
Nārada addresses Sṛñjaya to console him: he points out that a highly meritorious person has already passed to the blessed realms after spreading his renown in all directions, so Sṛñjaya should not be overwhelmed by sorrow for his own son, particularly one lacking in sacrificial and charitable virtues.