Shloka 18
वसुदेव–अर्जुन संवादः
Vasudeva–Arjuna Dialogue in the Aftermath of Dvārakā
त॑ं देवकी च भद्रा च रोहिणी मदिरा तथा । अन्वारोहन्त च तदा भर्तारे योषितां वरा:,युवतियोंमें श्रेष्ठ देवकी, भद्रा, रोहिणी तथा मदिरा--ये सब-की-सब अपने पतिके साथ चितापर आरूढ़ होनेको उद्यत हो गयीं
taṁ devakī ca bhadrā ca rohiṇī madirā tathā | anvārohanta ca tadā bhartāre yoṣitāṁ varāḥ ||
毗舍波衍那说：于是，提婆吉、跋陀罗、罗希尼与摩底罗——妇女中之翘楚——决意与其夫同登火葬之柴堆。此段既写寡妇对婚盟的至诚与当世“贤妻奉夫”之理想，亦映照雅陀婆大祸所付出的沉重且不可挽回的代价：连宗室家门中的首要妇人，也以忠贞之名自择赴死。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ideal of unwavering spousal loyalty (pativratā-bhāva) presented as a form of dharma in the epic’s cultural frame, while simultaneously underscoring the tragic finality of the Mausala Parva—where the collapse of the Yādava line leads to extreme, irreversible choices.
After the deaths of their husbands in the aftermath of the Yādavas’ destruction, Devakī, Bhadrā, Rohiṇī, and Madirā prepare to ascend the funeral pyre with them, described as the foremost among women.