Shloka 423
अध्याय ९ — दुर्योधनस्य अन्त्यावस्था, विलापः, तथा सौप्तिक-प्रतिवृत्तम्
Duryodhana’s Final Condition, Lamentation, and the Night’s Report
यथाज्येष्ठं यथाश्रेष्ठं पूजयेवचनान्मम । “महाराज! आपसे बिछुड़ जानेपर हमें शान्ति और सुख कैसे मिल सकते हैं? राजन! स्वर्गमें जाकर सब महारथियोंसे मिलनेपर आप मेरी ओरसे बड़े-छोटेके क्रमसे उन सबका आदर-सत्कार करें
yathājyeṣṭhaṃ yathāśreṣṭhaṃ pūjaye vacanān mama |
サञ्जयは言った。「年長の順、また卓越の度に従い、我が名において敬意と歓待を捧げ給え。大王よ、あなたと別れたのち、我らはいかにして安らぎと幸福を得られようか。さらに統べる者よ、あなたが天界に至り、そこにて諸々の偉大なる戦車武者にまみえる時、我が敬慕を一人ひとりに伝え給え—しかるべく、長者と若輩の正しき序列に従って。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic social order: respect should be rendered with discernment—honoring people according to seniority (jyeṣṭha) and merit/excellence (śreṣṭha). Even amid grief, ethical conduct is expressed through proper reverence and courteous remembrance of others.
Sañjaya addresses the king, expressing sorrow at separation and asking him to convey Sañjaya’s respects in heaven to the fallen great warriors, honoring them in due order—elders and juniors—when the king meets them there.