Shloka 18
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Śrāddha Request and Bhīma’s Objection (Āśramavāsika-parva, Adhyāya 17)
प्रादुष्कृताग्निरभवत् स च वृद्धो नराधिप: । स राजाग्नीन् पर्युपास्य हुत्वा च विधिवत् तदा,इति श्रीमहाभारते आश्रमवासिके पर्वणि आश्रमवासपर्वणि अष्टादशो< ध्याय: ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
prāduṣkṛtāgnir abhavat sa ca vṛddho narādhipaḥ |
sa rājāgnīn paryupāsya hutvā ca vidhivat tadā || 18 ||
वैशंपायन म्हणाले— अग्नी प्रकट होऊन प्रज्वलित झाला आणि तो वृद्ध नृप तेथे होता। त्या राजाने अग्नींची विधिपूर्वक उपासना करून नियमानुसार आहुती देऊन कर्म पूर्ण केले।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in advanced age and after worldly responsibilities, dharma is upheld through disciplined, rule-governed conduct—here symbolized by reverent tending of the sacred fires and proper oblations.
The narrator describes an aged king in the forest-ascetic setting: the ritual fire is kindled/blazes forth, and the king duly worships the sacred fires and performs the prescribed offerings.