Shloka 2
प्रस्थाने वा प्रवेशे वा प्रवृत्ते वापि कर्मणि । दैवे वा श्राद्धकाले वा कि जप्यं कर्मसाधनम्
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: prasthāne vā praveśe vā pravṛtte vāpi karmaṇi | daive vā śrāddhakāle vā kiṁ japyaṁ karmasādhanam ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Kapag aalis sa paglalakbay, kapag papasok sa bahay, o kapag magsisimula ng anumang gawain; gayundin sa mga ritwal para sa mga diyos o sa panahon ng śrāddha para sa mga ninuno—ano ang dapat bigkasin bilang japa upang maganap nang matagumpay ang nilalayong gawain?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-question: in varied life-situations—travel, entering a home, starting work, worship of the gods, and śrāddha—one should rely on an appropriate sacred recitation (japa) as a disciplined means to align action with auspiciousness and right performance.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused dialogue, Yudhiṣṭhira asks an elder authority what mantra or recitation should be used across common rites and transitions so that the intended religious or practical act reaches completion without obstacle.