Shloka 423
अध्याय ९ — दुर्योधनस्य अन्त्यावस्था, विलापः, तथा सौप्तिक-प्रतिवृत्तम्
Duryodhana’s Final Condition, Lamentation, and the Night’s Report
यथाज्येष्ठं यथाश्रेष्ठं पूजयेवचनान्मम । “महाराज! आपसे बिछुड़ जानेपर हमें शान्ति और सुख कैसे मिल सकते हैं? राजन! स्वर्गमें जाकर सब महारथियोंसे मिलनेपर आप मेरी ओरसे बड़े-छोटेके क्रमसे उन सबका आदर-सत्कार करें
yathājyeṣṭhaṃ yathāśreṣṭhaṃ pūjaye vacanān mama |
Sañjaya disse: “De acordo com a senioridade e com a excelência, oferece honra e hospitalidade em meu nome. Ó grande rei! Uma vez separados de ti, como poderíamos encontrar paz e felicidade? E, ó soberano, quando chegares ao céu e encontrares ali todos aqueles grandes guerreiros de carro, transmite a cada um deles a minha reverência—devidamente, na ordem correta dos mais velhos e dos mais novos.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic social order: respect should be rendered with discernment—honoring people according to seniority (jyeṣṭha) and merit/excellence (śreṣṭha). Even amid grief, ethical conduct is expressed through proper reverence and courteous remembrance of others.
Sañjaya addresses the king, expressing sorrow at separation and asking him to convey Sañjaya’s respects in heaven to the fallen great warriors, honoring them in due order—elders and juniors—when the king meets them there.