Shloka 21
वसुदेव–अर्जुन संवादः
Vasudeva–Arjuna Dialogue in the Aftermath of Dvārakā
तस्याश्वमेधिकं छत्र॑ दीप्यमानाश्ष॒ पावका: । पुरस्तात् तस्य यानस्य याजकाश्न ततो ययु:,उनकी अरथीके आगे-आगे अश्वमेध-यज्ञमें उपयोग किया हुआ छत्र तथा अग्निहोत्रकी प्रज्वलित अग्नि लिये याजक ब्राह्मण चल रहे थे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tasyāśvamedhikaṃ chatraṃ dīpyamānāś ca pāvakāḥ | purastāt tasya yānasya yājakāś ca tato yayuḥ |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Sa unahan ng sasakyang iyon ay naglakad ang mga paring tagapaghandog, tangan ang payong na ginamit sa ritwal na Aśvamedha at dala ang mga sagradong apoy na nagliliyab nang maliwanag. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito na nananatiling iginagalang ang mga ritwal na Veda at ang dangal ng pagkahari kahit sa malungkot na prusisyon ng libing, kung saan ang mga sagisag ng kapangyarihan at paghahandog ay sumasabay bilang huling pagpupugay sa yumao.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how dharma is expressed through ritual continuity and respectful conduct: even at a time of death and transition, the community preserves sacred order by honoring the departed with symbols of consecration (Aśvamedha paraphernalia) and the ever-living sacred fires, affirming that kingship and sacrifice are ultimately accountable to Vedic sanctity.
A solemn procession is moving forward; in front of the conveyance, officiating priests walk carrying the Aśvamedha parasol and the blazing ritual fires. These items function as ceremonial markers of the deceased’s royal-sacrificial status and as part of the rites accompanying the final journey.