Shloka 476
अश्रमवासिनां विषादः — Lament in Hastināpura after the Elders’ Forest Withdrawal
सोमदत्तप्रभृतय: का नु तेषां गति: प्रभो | 'प्रभो! जो मेरे महामनस्वी श्वशुर शूरवीर महारथी सोमदत्त आदि मारे गये हैं, उन्हें कौन-सी गति प्राप्त हुई है?
Somadattaprabhṛtayaḥ kā nu teṣāṃ gatiḥ prabho |
毗舍婆耶那说道：“主上啊，以苏摩达多为首的那些人，死后究竟得到了怎样的归宿——怎样的境界？”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry central to the Mahābhārata: the fate of the fallen is not judged merely by victory or defeat, but by dharma, intention, and the moral quality of one’s life and death. It invites reflection on karma and the spiritual consequences of participation in war.
A speaker asks about the posthumous destiny (gati) of Somadatta and other slain warriors. The question functions as a transition into discussion of what becomes of those who died in the great conflict, especially elders and notable fighters.