Shloka 5
Āśvamedhika-parva Adhyāya 1 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament by the Gaṅgā and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel
तमार्त पतितं भूमौ श्वसन्तं च पुन: पुनः । ददृशुः पार्थिवा राजन् धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
tam ārtaṃ patitaṃ bhūmau śvasantaṃ ca punaḥ punaḥ | dadṛśuḥ pārthivā rājan dharmaputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ||
Wika ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: O Hari, nakita ng lahat ng mga pinunong nagkatipon doon si Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira na nakahandusay sa lupa sa tindi ng dalamhati, at paulit-ulit na humihinga nang mabigat—isang panlabas na tanda ng bigat ng pighati at pananagutang naiwan matapos ang digmaan.
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight borne by a righteous ruler: even after victory, dharma includes accountability for suffering caused, and grief can be a truthful response to the costs of power and war.
A gathering of kings witnesses Yudhiṣṭhira lying on the ground in deep distress, repeatedly sighing; the scene signals his continuing sorrow and inner turmoil in the period leading into the Aśvamedha-related events.