Shloka 11
Adhyāya 42 (Śānti Parva): Śrāddha, Aurdhvadaihika Rites, and Royal Welfare Measures
सर्वास्ता: कौरवो राजा सम्पूज्यापालयद् घृणी । वहाँ जो कोई भी स्त्रियाँ थीं, जिनके पति और पुत्र मारे गये थे, उन सबका कृपालु कुरुवंशी राजा युधिष्ठिर बड़े आदरके साथ पालन-पोषण करते थे ।।
sarvāstāḥ kauravo rājā sampūjya apālayad ghṛṇī | dīnāndhakṛpaṇānāṃ ca gṛhācchādanabhojanaiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Ang mahabaging haring Kuru, si Yudhiṣṭhira, matapos igalang nang nararapat ang lahat ng kababaihang iyon, ay kumalinga at nagpanatili sa kanila. At inalagaan din niya ang mga dukha, ang mga bulag, at ang mga salat—binigyan ng tahanan, pananamit, at pagkain—kaya’t isinabuhay niya ang tungkuling panghari matapos ang pagwasak ng digmaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a king’s duty is not only to rule but to protect and sustain the vulnerable—especially those harmed by war—through respectful care and material support (shelter, clothing, food).
In the post-war setting of Śānti Parva, Vaiśampāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s compassionate governance: he honors and maintains the bereaved women and supports the poor, blind, and destitute with basic necessities.