Mahabharata — Mahaprasthanika Parva, Shloka 31
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
युधिष्ठटिरो ययावग्रे भीमस्तु तदनन्तरम् । अर्जुनस्तस्य चान्वेव यमौ चापि यथाक्रमम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | yudhiṣṭhiro yayāv agre bhīmas tu tad-anantaram | arjunas tasya cānv eva yamau cāpi yathākramam ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：由提湿提罗走在最前；毗摩紧随其后。毗摩之后是阿周那，再后依次是双生兄弟那俱罗与娑诃提婆。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic order and disciplined conduct: Yudhiṣṭhira, as the dharma-centered elder, leads, while the others follow in respectful sequence. In the Mahāprasthāna context, this orderly procession reflects inner restraint and acceptance of life’s final transition rather than worldly assertion.
As the Mahāprasthāna begins, the Pandavas set out on their last journey. The narrator specifies their walking order: Yudhiṣṭhira in front, then Bhīma, then Arjuna, followed by the twins Nakula and Sahadeva.