Shloka 4
सत्य–अनृत, प्रकाश–तमस्, स्वर्ग–नरक विवेचनम्
Truth and Untruth as Light and Darkness; Svarga and Naraka as Ethical Consequences
कीदृशो जीवतां जीव: कक््व वा गच्छन्ति ये मृता: । अस्माल्लोकादमुं लोकं सर्व शंसतु नो भवान्
kīdṛśo jīvatāṃ jīvaḥ kva vā gacchanti ye mṛtāḥ | asmāllokād amuṃ lokaṃ sarvaṃ śaṃsatu no bhavān ||
ਯੁਧਿਸ਼ਠਿਰ ਨੇ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ—“ਜੀਵਤਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਜੀਵ ਦਾ ਅਸਲ ਸਰੂਪ ਕਿਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਹੈ? ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਮਰ ਗਏ, ਉਹ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ? ਇਸ ਲੋਕ ਤੋਂ ਉਸ ਪਰਲੋਕ ਤੱਕ—ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਾਫ਼-ਸਾਫ਼ ਦੱਸੋ।”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry into the nature of the jīva and the post-mortem journey—inviting a comprehensive explanation of how beings transition from this world to the next, a foundation for ethical reflection on karma, duty, and ultimate good.
In Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully questions the teacher-figure present in the dialogue, asking for a full account of what the living self is and what becomes of people after death—seeking clarity on the unseen consequences that underlie dharma.