Shloka 21
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
देहं विपन्नाखिलचेतनादिकं पत्यु: पृथिव्या दयितस्य चात्मन: । आलक्ष्य किञ्चिच्च विलप्य सा सती चितामथारोपयदद्रिसानुनि ॥ २१ ॥
dehaṁ vipannākhila-cetanādikaṁ patyuḥ pṛthivyā dayitasya cātmanaḥ ālakṣya kiñcic ca vilapya sā satī citām athāropayad adri-sānuni
पत्युः पृथिव्या दयितस्य चात्मनः देहं विपन्नाखिलचेतनादिकं दृष्ट्वा, सा सती किञ्चित् विलप्य, अद्रिसानुनि चितां कृत्वा तस्मिन् देहमारोपयत्।
After seeing all the life symptoms in her husband stop, the Queen lamented for a while. The word kiñcit means “for a little while.” The Queen was completely aware that her husband was not dead, although the symptoms of life — action, intelligence and sense perception — had ceased. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (2.13) :
FAQs
This verse shows Arcī’s composed response: after brief lamentation, she performs the final rites, illustrating dharmic duty and sober detachment when the body loses consciousness.
In the narrative, Pṛthu had concluded his life of devotion and renunciation; Arcī, as a faithful wife, followed prescribed rites and honored his passing by preparing the cremation on the mountain slope.
Grieve naturally but briefly, then act responsibly—complete necessary duties, honor the departed with dignity, and remember that the self is distinct from the perishable body.