Shloka 23
Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
अहो<स्या हृदयं देव्या दृढं यज्ञ विदीर्यते । व्यूढोरस्क॑ महाबाहें प्रेक्षन्त्या निहतं पतिम्
aho ’syā hṛdayaṃ devyā dṛḍhaṃ yajña vidīryate | vyūḍhoraskā mahābāho prekṣantyā nihataṃ patim ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Aduhai! Walaupun hatinya teguh, ia sedang terkoyak, wahai Yajña. Wanita mulia itu, berdada bidang dan berlengan gagah, memandang suaminya terbaring terbunuh.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one possesses firmness and dignity, the sight of irreversible loss—especially the death of a spouse—can tear the heart; the verse underscores the ethical reality that violence leaves deep human suffering beyond victory or ritual.
Vaiśampāyana describes a noble woman witnessing her husband slain; though outwardly strong, she is inwardly shattered, and the narrator addresses “Yajña” while portraying her grief.