Shloka 4
धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्षमायाचनं तथा युधिष्ठिरे न्यासदानम् / Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Request for Forgiveness and the Entrustment to Yudhiṣṭhira
ततः स्त्रिय: कौरवपाण्डवानां याक्षापरा: कौरवराजवंश्या: । तासां नाद: प्रादुरासीत् तदानीं वैचित्रवीर्ये नृपतौ प्रयाते
tataḥ striyaḥ kaurava-pāṇḍavānāṃ yākṣāparāḥ kaurava-rāja-vaṃśyāḥ | tāsāṃ nādaḥ prādurāsīt tadānīṃ vaicitryavīrye nṛpatau prayāte ||
அப்போது கௌரவரும் பாண்டவரும் சார்ந்த பெண்கள்—குரு அரசவம்சத்தின் குலமகளிர்—துயரால் தளர்ந்து, வைசித்ரவீர்ய வம்சத்து அரசன் புறப்பட்ட அதே கணத்தில் உரத்த அழுகுரலை எழுப்பினர்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores an ethical and existential truth central to the Mahābhārata: even royal power and lineage cannot prevent mortality, and the proper human response includes acknowledging grief while recognizing the inevitability of departure.
As King Vicitravīrya passes away, the women of the Kuru house—connected to both Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas—are overwhelmed with sorrow and collectively break into loud lamentation.