Shloka 44
Chapter 26: Śoka-pratiṣedha, Hata-saṅkhyā, Gati-vibhāga, Pretakārya-ājñā
Restraint of Grief, Count of the Slain, Destinies, and Funerary Directives
कारयित्वा क्रियास्तेषां कुरुराजो युधिष्ठिर: । धृतराष्ट्रं पुरस्कृत्य गड्जामभिमुखो5गमत्,इस प्रकार उन सबका दाहकर्म कराकर कुरुराज युधिष्छिर धृतराष्ट्रको आगे करके गंगाजीकी ओर चले गये
kārayitvā kriyās teṣāṃ kururājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ puraskṛtya gaṅgām abhimukho 'gamat ||
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അവരുടെ ശവസംസ്കാരക്രിയകൾ നടത്തിച്ച ശേഷം, കുരുരാജാവായ യുധിഷ്ഠിരൻ ധൃതരാഷ്ട്രനെ മുൻപിൽ നിർത്തി ഗംഗയിലേക്കു പുറപ്പെട്ടു.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in action: even amid grief and political upheaval, the king must ensure proper last rites for the dead and then proceed toward purification and social-ethical restoration, honoring elders (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) despite the conflict’s bitterness.
After arranging the cremation and related rites for the slain, Yudhiṣṭhira departs toward the river Gaṅgā, respectfully placing Dhṛtarāṣṭra at the head of the procession, signaling a shift from mourning rituals to a journey associated with cleansing and further rites.