Shloka 13
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
इयं च माता ज्येष्ठा मे शीतवाताध्वकर्शिता । घोरेण तपसा युक्ता देवी कच्चिन्न शोचति
iyaṃ ca mātā jyeṣṭhā me śītavātādhvakārśitā | ghoreṇa tapasā yuktā devī kaccin na śocati ||
Wika ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “At ito ang aking pinakamatandang ina—pinahina ng lamig, hangin, at hirap ng paglalakbay—na ngayo’y labis na namayat at nakatuon sa mabagsik na pag-aayuno at pagtitika. Nagdadalamhati pa rin ba ang marangal na ginang na ito para sa kaniyang mga anak na makapangyarihan, matatag sa dharma ng kṣatriya, na napatay sa digmaan? At nagtataglay ba siya ng anumang masamang hangarin laban sa amin, na mga nagkasala?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical aftermath of war: even victors remain burdened by remorse and fear of the bereaved’s grief or resentment. It points to the need for compassion, accountability, and the hope for forgiveness, while also portraying tapas as a response to unbearable loss.
In Āśramavāsika Parva, the royal elders have withdrawn to the forest. Yudhiṣṭhira observes Gāndhārī’s frailty from hardship and ascetic life and anxiously asks whether she still mourns her sons killed in the war and whether she wishes harm upon the Pāṇḍavas, whom he calls offenders.