Shloka 44
Arjuna’s Lament, the End of the Yadus, and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure
उदीचीं प्रविवेशाशां गतपूर्वां महात्मभि: । हृदि ब्रह्म परं ध्यायन्नावर्तेत यतो गत: ॥ ४४ ॥
udīcīṁ praviveśāśāṁ gata-pūrvāṁ mahātmabhiḥ hṛdi brahma paraṁ dhyāyan nāvarteta yato gataḥ
そして彼は北へと歩み出し、祖先と大聖たちが認めた道をたどった。胸中に至上のブラフマン、至上主を念じつつ、行く先々でそのままに生き、もはや戻らなかった。
It is understood from this verse that Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira followed in the footsteps of his forefathers and the great devotees of the Lord. We have discussed many times before that the system of varṇāśrama-dharma, as it was strictly followed by the inhabitants of the world, specifically by those who inhabited the Āryāvarta province of the world, emphasizes the importance of leaving all household connections at a certain stage of life. The training and education was so imparted, and thus a respectable person like Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira had to leave all family connection for self-realization and going back to Godhead. No king or respectable gentleman would continue family life till the end, because that was considered suicidal and against the interest of the perfection of human life. In order to be free from all family encumbrances and devote oneself cent percent in the devotional service of Lord Kṛṣṇa, this system is always recommended for everyone because it is the path of authority. The Lord instructs in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.62) that one must become a devotee of the Lord at least at the last stage of one’s life. A sincere soul of the Lord like Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira must abide by this instruction of the Lord for his own interest.
FAQs
This verse describes liberation as reaching the state attained by great souls—by meditating on the Supreme Brahman within the heart—going to a destination from which there is no return to material life.
After concluding his worldly duties and seeing the proper time for retirement, Yudhishthira followed the ancient route taken by realized souls, fixing his mind on the Supreme and departing for liberation.
Set aside daily time for remembrance of the Lord—through prayer, japa, and contemplation of His teachings—so the mind becomes steady and life’s duties are performed with detachment and devotion.