Shloka 5
Āśvamedhika-parva, Adhyāya 14
Consolation of Yudhiṣṭhira; Rites and Gifts; Return to Hastināpura
अर्चयामास देवांश्र ब्राह्मणांश्व युधिष्ठिर: । कृत्वाथ प्रेतकार्याणि बन्धूनां स पुनर्न॒प:
arcayāmāsa devānś ca brāhmaṇānś ca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | kṛtvātha pretakāryāṇi bandhūnāṃ sa punar nṛpaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Si Haring Yudhiṣṭhira ay marapat na sumamba sa mga diyos at nagbigay-galang sa mga Brāhmaṇa; at matapos isagawa ang mga ritwal para sa yumao niyang mga kamag-anak, muling binalikan ng hari ang mga tungkuling pangkaharian, na ang isip ay nakatuon sa dharma at sa pagpapanumbalik ng wastong kaayusan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after catastrophic conflict, dharma requires restoration through proper rites: honouring the divine and the learned, and fulfilling obligations to the dead. Kingship is shown as grounded in ritual responsibility, gratitude, and ethical repair rather than mere power.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira worships the gods and honours the Brāhmaṇas, then completes the funerary duties for his slain relatives; having done so, he returns to the role and responsibilities of a king.