Adhyāya 42 (Śānti Parva): Śrāddha, Aurdhvadaihika Rites, and Royal Welfare Measures
रत्नानि च विचित्राणि महाहाणि महायशा: । महायशस्वी राजा धुृतराष्ट्रने अपने पुत्रोंके श्राद्धमें समस्त कमनीय गुणोंसे युक्त अन्न, गो, धन और बहुमूल्य विचित्र रत्न प्रदान किये
ratnāni ca vicitrāṇi mahārhāṇi mahāyaśāḥ | mahāyaśasvī rājā dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ svaputrāṇāṃ śrāddhe samasta-kamanīya-guṇaiḥ yuktaṃ annaṃ go-dhanaṃ ca bahumūlya-vicitra-ratnāni pradadau |
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。名声高きドリタラーシュトラ王は、子らのためのシュラーダ(śrāddha)の儀において、あらゆる好ましき徳を備えた食物を施し、さらに牛と財宝、そして高価で精妙な珍宝の数々を供えた。物語は、血脈の荒廃ののち、王が手厚い布施によって亡き者への務めを果たし、功徳と礼の正しさを求めたことを際立たせている。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights śrāddha and dāna as duties: honoring the departed through proper rites and generous giving. Ethical emphasis falls on fulfilling obligations with sincerity and abundance, using wealth to support dharmic acts and to seek merit for oneself and one’s ancestors.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that King Dhṛtarāṣṭra performs śrāddha for his sons and distributes high-quality food, cows, wealth, and precious gems as ritual gifts, reflecting royal-scale charity and the post-war context of mourning and duty.