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: ।। १८ || इस प्रकार श्रीमयह्योा भारत आश्रमवासयिकपवके अन्तर्गत आश्रमवासपर्वमें अठारहवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
prāduṣkṛtāgnir abhavat sa ca vṛddho narādhipaḥ |
sa rājāgnīn paryupāsya hutvā ca vidhivat tadā || 18 ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Api pun menyala, dan raja yang telah lanjut usia itu berada di sana. Setelah memelihara api suci dan mempersembahkan korban bakaran menurut aturan, baginda pun menyempurnakan upacara itu.
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.