Shloka 6
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 23: Report of the Slain Sūtaputras, Royal Orders, and Sairandhrī’s Return
अथवा नैव हन्तव्या दहाुतां कामिना सह | मृतस्यापि प्रियं कार्य सूतपुत्रस्य सर्वथा,“अथवा मारा न जाय। कामी कीचककी लाशके साथ ही इसे भी जला दिया जाय। मर जानेपर भी सूतपुत्रका जो प्रिय हो; जिससे उसकी आत्मा प्रसन्न हो, वह कार्य हमें सर्वथा करना चाहिये”
athavā naiva hantavyā dahyutāṃ kāminā saha | mṛtasyāpi priyaṃ kāryaṃ sūtaputrasya sarvathā ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Atau jika tidak, janganlah dia dibunuh; biarlah dia dibakar bersama mayat Kīcaka yang dikuasai nafsu. Walaupun seseorang telah mati, apa jua yang menjadi kesukaan anak kusir itu hendaklah dilakukan sepenuhnya—demi menenangkan rohnya.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse reflects a pragmatic ethical stance: even when dealing with wrongdoing and death, actions are weighed against social and ritual expectations—doing what is considered ‘pleasing’ or proper for the deceased (here, Kīcaka) is presented as a duty, suggesting how dharma can be framed through custom, reputation, and expediency.
In the aftermath of Kīcaka’s death, a proposal is voiced: instead of killing the woman in question, she should be cremated along with Kīcaka’s body, and whatever is deemed dear to the ‘charioteer’s son’ (Kīcaka) should be carried out fully—indicating attempts to manage the situation through funerary action and appeasement.