Shloka 14
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
हतान् पुत्रान् महावीर्यनन् क्षत्रधर्मपरायणान् । नापध्यायति वा कच्चिदस्मान् पापकृत: सदा,ये मेरी बड़ी माता गान्धारीदेवी सर्दी, हवा और रास्ता चलनेके परिश्रमसे कष्ट पाकर अत्यन्त दुबली हो गयी हैं घोर तपस्यामें लगी हुई हैं। ये देवी युद्धमें मारे गये अपने क्षत्रिय- धर्मपरायण महापराक्रमी पुत्रोंक लिये कभी शोक तो नहीं करतीं? और हम अपराधियोंका कभी कोई अनिष्ट तो नहीं सोचती हैं?
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—hatān putrān mahāvīryān kṣatradharmaparāyaṇān | nāpadhyāyati vā kaccid asmān pāpakṛtaḥ sadā ||
Disse Yudhiṣṭhira: «Aqueles filhos dela—de grande bravura e firmes no dharma do guerreiro—foram mortos. Não se entristece ela de modo algum por eles? E, em algum momento, nutre má vontade contra nós, que sempre cometemos falta (os culpados)?»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after victory, ethical responsibility remains: Yudhiṣṭhira’s question shows remorse and moral vigilance—recognizing the suffering caused by war and fearing that the wronged may justly grieve or resent. It highlights the Mahābhārata theme that dharma includes accountability and compassion, not merely success in conflict.
In the Āśramavāsika episode, the Pāṇḍavas reflect on the elders living in austerity after the war. Yudhiṣṭhira asks whether Gāndhārī, whose heroic sons were killed, grieves for them and whether she harbors ill will toward the Pāṇḍavas, whom he calls ‘wrongdoers’ out of guilt for the war’s devastation.