Shloka 33
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
श्वा चैवानुययावेक: प्रस्थितान् पाण्डवान् वनम् | क्रमेण ते ययुर्वीरा लौहित्यं सलिलार्णवम्
śvā caivānuyayāv ekaḥ prasthitān pāṇḍavān vanam | krameṇa te yayur vīrā lauhityaṃ salilārṇavam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Ketika para Pāṇḍava berangkat ke rimba dalam perjalanan terakhir mereka, seekor anjing tunggal turut mengikuti. Selangkah demi selangkah, para wira itu akhirnya sampai ke perairan Lauhitya—luas bagaikan samudera—sebagai satu lagi ambang dalam laluan pelepasan mereka.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in renunciation and the final journey, dharma is tested through small, concrete choices—here signaled by the presence of a faithful dog. The narrative prepares the reader for ethical scrutiny around compassion, loyalty, and the treatment of dependent beings.
As the Pāṇḍavas depart toward the forest on their last path, a lone dog follows them. They continue gradually until they reach Lauhitya, described as a vast, ocean-like body of water, indicating progress through significant geographic and symbolic milestones.