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 ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道:慈悲的俱卢王尤提施提罗,先以礼敬尽数尊崇那些妇人,而后护持供养,使其得以安生。他又周济贫者、盲者与困乏无依之人,以居所、衣服与饮食相给;由此在战祸之后,显明王者之责。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
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.