अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
योगयुक्ता महात्मानस्त्यागधर्ममुपेयुष: । अभिजममुर्बहून् देशान् सरित: सागरांस्तथा,वे सब-के-सब योगयुक्त महात्मा तथा त्याग-धर्मका पालन करनेवाले थे। उन्होंने अनेक देशों, नदियों और समुद्रोंकी यात्रा की
yogayuktā mahātmānas tyāgadharmam upeyuṣaḥ | abhijagmur bahūn deśān saritaḥ sāgarāṁs tathā ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Ang mga dakilang iyon, matatag sa yoga at yumakap sa dharma ng pagtalikod, ay naglakbay sa maraming lupain at tumawid din sa mga ilog at dagat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights tyāga-dharma—renunciation as a lived ethical discipline—supported by yoga (inner steadiness). The emphasis is on moving through the world without clinging, treating the final journey as a practice of detachment and spiritual integration.
Vaiśampāyana describes the great-souled travelers as proceeding onward in their final departure, traversing many regions and crossing rivers and seas, indicating the vastness and resolve of their journey.