Text 44]
The Pāṇḍavas Retire Timely
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affairs. He had no dependence on his brothers who had all along been helping him. This stage of complete independence from everything is also called the purified stage of fearlessness.
TEXT 44
उदीर्ची प्रविवेशाशां गतपूर्वा महात्मभिः । हृदि ब्रह्म परं ध्यायनावर्तेत यतो गतः ॥४४॥
udīcīm praviveśāśām gata-pūrvām mahātmabhiḥ hṛdi brahma param dhyāyan nāvarteta yato gataḥ
udīcīm—the northern side; praviveśāśām—those who wanted to enter there; gata-pūrvām—the path accepted by his forefathers; mahā-ātmabhiḥ—by the broad-minded; hṛdi—within the heart; brahma—the Supreme; param—Godhead; dhyāyan—constantly thinking of; na āvarteta—passed his days; yataḥ—wherever; gataḥ—went.
TRANSLATION
He then started towards the North, treading the path which was accepted by his forefathers and great men, to devote himself completely to the thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And he lived in that way wherever he went.
PURPORT
It is understood from this verse that Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira followed in the footsteps of his forefathers and the great devotees of the Lord. We have discussed many times before that the system of  varṇāśrama-dharma , as it was strictly followed by the inhabitants of the world, specifically by those who inhabited the Āryavarta province of the world, emphasizes the importance of leaving all household connections at a certain stage of life. The training and education was so imparted, and thus a respectable person like Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira must leave all family connection for self-realization and going back to Godhead. No king or respectable gentleman would continue family life till the end because that was considered suicidal