अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
अर्जुनका विचार जानकर भीमसेन और नकुल-सहदेवने भी उनकी कही हुई बातका अनुमोदन किया ।।
tato yuyutsum ānīya pravrajan dharmakāmyayā | rājyaṃ paridadau sarvaṃ vaiśyāputre yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Setelah mengetahui pendirian Arjuna, Bhīmasena serta Nakula dan Sahadeva turut mengiyakan kata-katanya. Kemudian Yudhiṣṭhira, yang berhasrat menempuh dharma dan berangkat di jalan pelepasan, memanggil Yuyutsu—anak kepada seorang wanita Vaiśya—lalu menyerahkan kepadanya seluruh urusan pentadbiran kerajaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even when choosing renunciation, one should act responsibly: dharma includes ensuring social order and continuity of governance. Yudhiṣṭhira’s departure is paired with a conscientious transfer of duty, showing that ethical withdrawal is not neglect but orderly relinquishment.
As the Pāṇḍavas prepare for the Mahāprasthāna (the great departure), Yudhiṣṭhira summons Yuyutsu and entrusts him with the full charge of the kingdom, so that the realm remains administered while the brothers leave for their final journey.